Tax Amnesia

As someone who supports the Obama administration wholeheartedly, I say this with deep regret: Daschle needs to step aside. It was already problematic when people excused Geithner’s sloppy attitude towards paying his taxes with a cavalier “human beings make mistakes.” With Daschle, this excuse doesn’t work, and, if tried, would seriously undermine Obama’s standing. As the NY Times editorial writes today, the American tax system relies on “voluntary compliance.” If Daschle’s forgetfulness is not such a big deal, why should WE bother paying?

But the Daschle case brings up another issue: If even our trusted public servants do find it alright to at least try at reducing their tax burdens through improper means, how much is owed by the fat cats, those who don’t even have to create the appearance of trustworthyness? What would happen if the IRS took its job seriously and went after the big tax violators? Perhaps, our stimulus packages wouldn’t have to be that high...