Thursday, February 5, 2009

Rangel Watch

Unraveling Rangel


"We took a look at his filings going all the way back to 1978, the first year members were required to disclose information on their personal finances, and found 28 instances in which he failed to report acquiring, owning or disposing of assets. Assets worth between $239,026 and $831,000 appear or disappear with no disclosure of when they were acquired, how long they were held, or when they were sold, as the operative House rules at the time required."

Solis Watch

Solis Senate Session Postponed in Wake of Husband's Tax Lien Revelations


"A Senate committee today abruptly canceled a session to consider President Obama's nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis to be labor secretary in the wake of a report saying that her husband yesterday paid about $6,400 to settle tax liens against his business -- including liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years."

"The right is in a lather because they contend Solis violated House ethics rules by serving as a de-facto lobbyist."

"Solis didn't disclose her uncompensated service with ARW for three years, rectifying this recently as soon as the oversight was disclosed"

link

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Hamas seized food aid in Gaza: UN

Hamas seized food aid in Gaza: UN

"Hamas police in Gaza broke into a warehouse full of United Nations humanitarian supplies and seized thousands of blankets and food
parcels, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday"

Limit on executive pay

Obama limits exec pay to $500,000 for bailed-out firms


"President Obama on Wednesday imposed a $500,000 cap on executive pay for companies that get federal bailout money."


I wonder how many will leave for other companies.

Tax on Tobacco will increase in April.

The federal tax on a pack of cigarettes will increase from 39 cents to $1.00. The tax on other forms of tobacco will also increase.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Did the threat of tax rises help cause the recession?

A fleeting thought, it was expected in early summer that Obama would win. Obama said he would raise taxes on the rich. The rich, realizing that would have less money in the future, started saving more and spending less.

More Tax Problems: Nancy Killefer

"Nancy Killefer, nominated by President Barack Obama to be the federal government's first chief performance officer, is withdrawing from the post, the White House said Tuesday."

""I recognize that your agenda and the duties facing your Chief Performance Officer are urgent," Killefer wrote in a letter to the president asking him to withdraw her name. "I have also come to realize in the current environment that my personal tax issue of D.C. Unemployment tax could be used to create exactly the kind of distraction and delay those duties must avoid.""


Performance Czar Killefer Withdraws Candidacy

Daschle Watch Update:

Daschle withdraws as HHS nominee.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Tax Problems

Given the recent revelations of the lack of payments, the IRS should audit everyone in government and everyone doing business with the government.