This is turning into a farce. First we had Geithner, then Daschle, then Nancy Killefer, and now Labor Secretary nominee Hilda Solis also has a tax problem.
The husband of President Obama's choice to head the Labor Department paid about $6,400 Wednesday to settle tax liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years against his business, the Obama administration said Thursday.
As Ed Morrissey notes.
That makes 25% of Obama’s original Hope and Change Cabinet picks comprised by tax evaders. Add that to the fourth scandal of Bill Richardson’s pay-for-play federal grand jury investigation, and we have a full-blown vetting disaster.
Remember that 9 page information sheet all the Obama nominees had to fill out before they would be considered for a job? The press made a huge deal about the new, ethical tone Obama was bringing to Washington. The One was not going to be blindsided like Clinton with a Zoe Baird problem.
And it specifically asked about tax problems.
A nine-page questionnaire requires applicants to list--and if possible, provide copies of--all "posts or comments on blogs or other Web sites" they have ever made. Also required are "aliases" or nicknames used on those sites. . . .
Clinton also was forced to withdraw the nominations of Zoe Baird and Judge Kimba Wood for attorney general because of questions about whether they paid employment taxes for their nannies. President George W. Bush had the same problem with former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, appointed to be Homeland Security secretary.
Obama's questionnaire seeks to remedy that problem. It asks four questions about domestic help, including housekeepers, babysitters, nannies, and gardeners. It asks about child support payments, information about enemies that may "criticize" your nomination, tax returns, loans, jobs held abroad, and so on.
So it seems that all of these folks were not only tax cheats, they also lied when they filled out the questionnaires. If they didn't lie, then Obama nominated them knowing they were unethical candidates. Either way, Obama's incompetence in selecting these people is breathtaking.
Let's not forget the weeks of MSM bleating about McCain's supposed lack of vetting of Sarah Palin. Not only was she properly vetted, she paid all her taxes, like all patriotic Americans should (at least according to Joe Biden).
"Rangel Rule" bill introduced for tax cheats
Daschle Out: Limousine-Liberal tax cheat withdraws name for HHS Secretary
Special Report: Obama's First 100 DaysExclusive examiner.com coverage of the Obama administration's promise to bring about change.
Comments
I have seen nor heard no ethics from this man since he came onto the scene two years ago. The scary thing? He just continues the cycle! What's good for the goose is not always good for the gander, I guess. Can we say Chicago????
Hilda Solis does not have a tax problem. Her husband has a tax issue not unlike those that are ongoing for most American small businesses. But those of you who think its all right for big business to hire big gun accountants and lawyers to fix it for them, and who can't do the job anyway and take bailouts, wouldn't know about that.
BTW, you all screamed so much about Democrats objecting to Palin because her husband was involved in avoiding subpoenas, and so on (for which his hands have just been slapped); do you really think it's ethical for you to attempt to tar Solis with that brush?
LOL
Laura, most Americans are not screened for a presidential cabinet position, asked questions, point blank, about tax problems, and then fail to disclose them. If she did disclose them, then Obama did not have the judgment to cut her loose, given that his own standards were to change Washington and have an ethical administration.
As for Palin's husband, cheating on taxes, which is against the law, is not the same as working within the legal system to challenge a subpoena. One is illegal, the other is the epitome of legal.
If Solis hadn't been the FOURTH nominee with tax problems, maybe she wouldn't have been so "tarred!" The bottom line is, it is still in the family -- when you file taxes as a married couple, the wife (husband) are both equally held to the signature at the bottom of the form! What really bothers the general public is that none of us out here would be allowed to get away with this! The IRS came out last week with the statement that 100 ordinary people were JAILED last year for tax stuff -- what makes this group any less accoutable? Obama and his party already allowed ONE of these crooks in -- that's one too many!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!