# Daschle owed $128,000 in back taxes **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 31, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919 "2009-01-31T22:02:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/81 "2009-02-03T19:19:32Z")
> [@Baldwin](#): > > The taxes don’t bother me as much as all the money Daschle’s received as speaking fees from healthcare companies since he’s been out of the Senate. Either should have knocked him out - let alone the fact that he knew about the tax problem last June and didn’t disclose it. How on fucking earth could **anyone** believe that it wouldn’t get out or be a major problem if it did? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/82 "2009-02-03T19:21:54Z")
> [@wring](#): > > How on fucking earth could **anyone** believe that it wouldn’t get out or be a major problem if it did? Because, historically, it hasn’t been a major problem. Do you remember Sarah Palin’s tax problems along similar lines? Yeah, neither does anyone else. But she failed to count as income transportation that was provided for non-government purposes. Sound familiar? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/83 "2009-02-03T19:24:36Z")
Misjudged the atmosphere, I’m guessing. Usually, no matter how rank and contentious the campaign, the President gets his Cabinet, unless there’s something Huge. Probably didn’t figure on a Pubbie opposition in full conflict mode. Whatever. There are plenty of experts on health care issues. ETA: Yeah, what he said. (Judge Parker’s long lost son by Mary Worth, I’m guessing?) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/84 "2009-02-03T19:25:21Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > Please quote in this thread where I addressed anyone, especially the President in a “disrespet[ful]” manor. I voted for the guy, I wanted him to do the right thing. And I’ve seen you enter the fray on many other occasions without such trepidation. Daschle was near impossible to support, that’s why you stayed home. You can say it, it won’t hurt. I won’t speak for **Shayna** , and I’m sure she wouldn’t want me to if I did, but I will point out as a general proposition that there are a lot of threads and people have lives that don’t revolve around [boards.straightdope.com](http://boards.straightdope.com). No one person’s absence from a thread should be taken as anything significant with respect to their position on the merits of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/85 "2009-02-03T20:20:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Misjudged the atmosphere, I’m guessing. Usually, no matter how rank and contentious the campaign, the President gets his Cabinet, unless there’s something Huge. Probably didn’t figure on a Pubbie opposition in full conflict mode. I think the President’s own expectations and how high he set the bar on ethics damned Daschle much more than any Republican opposition. From what I’ve read here in DC, while the Republicans aren’t crying over Daschle, they are picking their spots, and this wasn’t one of them. When the bastions of conservative thought such as the New York Times and Boston Globe call for your name to be pulled, it’s much deeper than Republican opposition. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/86 "2009-02-03T23:04:24Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > Please quote in this thread where I addressed anyone, especially the President in a “disrespet[ful]” manor. I _quoted_ you in that very post. Your use of the term “the usual suspects” as relates to me or the democrats on this board in general is condescending and rude. > [@](#): > > And I’ve seen you enter the fray on many other occasions without such trepidation. Daschle was near impossible to support, that’s why you stayed home. You can say it, it won’t hurt. Don’t even dare to presume why I didn’t participate in this thread. Not only does it reflect your stupidity, but you’d be flat out wrong. The fact of the matter is, my boss is being audited by the state right now, on a tax matter dating back to 2004, when his attorney and accountant set up a trust of some sort, and advised him what his tax liabilities would be. We aren’t professional attorneys or accountants. Even if we read through every single line item on every single return (which are usually approximately 6-8 inches thick), we wouldn’t know fuckall about what might not have been reported properly. That’s why people have attorneys and accountants to advise them and then prepare their returns. It’s looking like what he’s going to owe in unpaid taxes will make Daschle’s look like chump change. Tom Daschle had an accountant, and I’m sure an attorney. If he’s anything like my boss he relied on their advice as to what was taxable or deductible, etc. So Daschle either wasn’t advised properly or something got overlooked. An audit, based on his nomination, uncovered the error and he paid the taxes he actually owed. There’s nothing criminal or untoward about that, in my opinion. That kind of shit happens every single, fucking day. Now, if he had knowingly hired an illegal housekeeper, paid her in cash off the books, _then_ we’d be talking about something I might find myself able to get worked up over. But since I’ve been sick with a cold and fever, and am now nursing my husband who’s home with the same, I wasn’t quite in the frame of mind to get into a political argument with the likes of you. I hope that satisfies you. Now kindly go fuck off. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/87 "2009-02-03T23:19:31Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > I think the President’s own expectations and how high he set the bar on ethics damned Daschle much more than any Republican opposition. Little from column A, little from column B. Obama has set higher expectations than we’ve seen before, but I don’t think they’re so high that they exclude folks who’ve merely made honest mistakes and have addressed them. It’s the opposition who’ve whipped up this notion of Obama as Messiah and any imperfection is therefore a sign of failure. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/88 "2009-02-04T00:03:40Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > It’s the opposition who’ve whipped up this notion of Obama as Messiah Huh? ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/89 "2009-02-04T00:22:46Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Huh? See Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity, etc. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/90 "2009-02-04T00:55:27Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Little from column A, little from column B. Obama has set higher expectations than we’ve seen before, but I don’t think they’re so high that they exclude folks who’ve merely made honest mistakes and have addressed them. It’s the opposition who’ve whipped up this notion of Obama as Messiah and any imperfection is therefore a sign of failure. I voted for Obama. I campaigned for him. I expect more. There are people who play by the rules. (at least I hope so). Find some. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/91 "2009-02-04T01:13:09Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I voted for Obama. I campaigned for him. I expect more. There are people who play by the rules. (at least I hope so). Find some. Right now I’ll be happy with people who may have made honest mistakes but will own up to them like adults. We can easily do better than cheats and frauds, but nobody’s perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Ocean\_Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8797f3/32.png) [@Ocean\_Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ocean_Annie)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/92 "2009-02-04T01:48:38Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Really? Tom’s rich? I never paid a lot of attention to him, he being about as radical as warm milk, but I thought he was of relatively modest means. Yeah, he is wealthy and made quite a bit of dough from the health care industry. He wasn’t technically a lobbyist but made big bucks giving speeches to the various special interest groups that have a big stake in health care reform. His wife is a highly paid lobbyist. It’s probably a blessing in disguise that Daschle withdrew. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/93 "2009-02-04T01:56:07Z")
> [@wring](#): > > Either should have knocked him out - let alone the fact that he knew about the tax problem last June and didn’t disclose it. How on fucking earth could **anyone** believe that it wouldn’t get out or be a major problem if it did? Shit, what made Edwards run for President when he had a mistress in the wings. Did he really think that one would escape notice forever? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/94 "2009-02-04T02:18:07Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I _quoted_ you in that very post. Your use of the term “the usual suspects” as relates to me or the democrats on this board in general is condescending and rude. Don’t even dare to presume why I didn’t participate in this thread. Not only does it reflect your stupidity, but you’d be flat out wrong. > > The fact of the matter is, my boss is being audited by the state right now, on a tax matter dating back to 2004, when his attorney and accountant set up a trust of some sort, and advised him what his tax liabilities would be. We aren’t professional attorneys or accountants. Even if we read through every single line item on every single return (which are usually approximately 6-8 inches thick), we wouldn’t know fuckall about what might not have been reported properly. That’s why people have attorneys and accountants to advise them and then prepare their returns. It’s looking like what he’s going to owe in unpaid taxes will make Daschle’s look like chump change. > > Tom Daschle had an accountant, and I’m sure an attorney. If he’s anything like my boss he relied on their advice as to what was taxable or deductible, etc. So Daschle either wasn’t advised properly or something got overlooked. An audit, based on his nomination, uncovered the error and he paid the taxes he actually owed. There’s nothing criminal or untoward about that, in my opinion. That kind of shit happens every single, fucking day. > > Now, if he had knowingly hired an illegal housekeeper, paid her in cash off the books, _then_ we’d be talking about something I might find myself able to get worked up over. But since I’ve been sick with a cold and fever, and am now nursing my husband who’s home with the same, I wasn’t quite in the frame of mind to get into a political argument with the likes of you. > > I hope that satisfies you. > > Now kindly go fuck off. Shayna, Nice to know that the term “the usual suspects” is so “condescending and rude” that is offends your sensibilities, but you have problems telling someone to “fuck off.” Frankly this is exactly what I expected of you. Daschle owes $150,000 in taxes. But is he wrong? No! It’s the fault of his accountant or attorney. > [@](#): > > Tom Daschle had an accountant, and I’m sure an attorney. If he’s anything like my boss he relied on their advice as to what was taxable or deductible, etc. So Daschle either wasn’t advised properly or something got overlooked. “Something got overlooked.” You should have been a Nixon Republican. Sounds a lot like “Mistakes were made.” The guy is smart and savvy enough to be the Senate Majority leader, but not smart enough to manage his own household. Great. That is one lame excuse. I’m glad Obama displayed a bit more leadership than this. If this guy was a Republican, you’d be first in line with a torch. As a middle of the road guy, I get to torch them both!! > [@](#): > > An audit, based on his nomination, uncovered the error and he paid the taxes he actually owed. There’s nothing criminal or untoward about that, in my opinion. That kind of shit happens every single, fucking day. Wrong again. Daschle admitted that “something made him think that the car service might be taxable” in June of 2008. He didn’t actually pay the taxes until January of 2009. The guy is a frick’n millionaire for God’s sake. What was he waiting for??? This guy was indefensible. We won’t even get into the $2 million he made in 2008 working for Alston & Bird’s as a lobbyist, ohh sorry, “special policy adviser.” Look at the big picture. Your guy, in my humble opinion, looks like a stud tonight. Took responsibility (that leadership thing again) and looks like he’s walking the walk. I’d keep that in mind and quit defending Daschle. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/95 "2009-02-04T02:52:56Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > As a middle of the road guy, I get to torch them both!! And you get hit from both sides. The lefties can blindfold you and give you your last cigarette, and the righties, with their guns, can shoot you. Just remember comrade: “Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/96 "2009-02-04T03:46:07Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > …The lefties can blindfold you and give you your last cigarette.. We don’t give cigarettes for those going to The Wall. Not good for you. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919/97 "2009-02-04T03:56:35Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I’m very much favor of programs to help the elderly purchase drugs, it is an idea I approve of more as I gain the wisdom of age. And the age of age. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-owed-128-000-in-back-taxes/483919.md?page=4)