BAAA hahahahah! It’s funny 'cause it’s true.
Seriously, I agree with Kimstu- do tell him why you’re not giving him your business anymore. You don’t have to say that you disagree with his views - you’ve already said here that that’s not why you’re dropping him - just that you find his touting of them unprofessional.
Would you still be pitting him if he had sent you a newsletter recommending books on how Christianity has a thousand year history of oppressing and conquering people, and how the Bush administration is setting our country back fifty years — or would your OP be in MPSIMS praising your tax-preparer? Would he still be smug and obnoxious if he happened to share your views?
Yeh, I’d be pissed if my lawyer or accountant or doctor sent me glurge like that, Lib. It’s not part of their role in my life unless they’re also a personal friend. I expect professional demeanor from professionals, and this sort of thing, from any political perspective, is inappropriate.
Note he also sent a bunch of anti-Muslim glurge, and I am no fan of that religion (not that I’m a fan of any religion). I wonder if he has (or, rather, had) any Muslim clients? I didn’t quote a lot of stuff he said, which I agree with, like how we should get the troops out of Iraq, and how reality TV sucks.
OK, since he’s not (to my knowledge!) done anything crooked on my behalf (I don’t make enough money to bother cheating on my taxes!), I’ll drop him as soon as someone at work can recommend a replacement, and tell him it’s because “his views on religion and politics have no place in his yearly (already annoying) newsletter.”
Eve, a close friend’s boyfriend is an accountant/tax preparer in NYC, and pretty damn good at it, as far as I can tell. If you’re still looking for a new one, I’d be happy to give you his name and email.
E.
Thanks!
P.S. Lib, did you miss the part in my OP where I said, “I don’t care how he votes or what his religious beliefs are?” Or were you just so anxious to get some leftie-bashing in that you didn’t actually read my OP?
I’ll call her this afternoon and send you an email later today!
E.
No. I really did try to word my question as inoffensively as possible, without resorting to condescending prefaces and pre-apologies. There are some leftists whom I greatly respect, and you are one of them. So, I did see where you said that you don’t care what his religious beliefs are, and I’m not bothered about your pitting him. I sincerely do want to know whether you would still be pitting him if he had said, well, all the right things, as it were. I’m not saying that would make you evil. In fact, it seems quite normal to do business only with those with whom you’re comfortable. Of course, that goes both ways, in my opinion. He should be allowed to drop you, too, if anything about you rubs him the wrong way.
Agreed. But it would never occur to me to send him a holiday card saying, “Hi, Frank, I’m an atheist and I think gay marriage should be legalized, George Bush is a ghastly president, Jim Carrey is a terrible actor, and people who mix patterns should be pushed under trains,” because he’s my tax guy and we don’t discuss such things.
Hell, I have a professional website to promote my books, and you’ll notice there is no personal information about me except that I’m from Philadelphia (and frankly, I can’t even remember for sure if that’s on there). I don’t post personal snapshots or gossip or information on my business website, because it’s *business. *
Well, I reckon you’ve got your letter to him right there:
‘… and on that note, farewell.’
I’m just wondering if most of his client base is right-wing Christian Republican and he’s doing this to advertise that to them, in hopes that they’ll bring their friends to him because he’s a “good Christian Republican.”
Depending on his base, he might get more business than he loses.
I take it this guy is not aware of the stink Republicans are raising in Washington State over the governor’s race right now.
I’m just going to return his glurge to him with a note attached saying, “Didn’t your parents ever teach not to discuss religion and politics in mixed company?” and sign it, “Your former client, Eve.”
Why do you hate me? 
According the the Spring Fashion previews, I’m going to be doing a lot of pushing this year. It seems the “got dressed while fleeing a burning building” look is back in.
Eve, I have an outstanding, comparatively inexpensive, and honest accountant down here in Hamilton (NJ). If the other one doesn’t work out for any reason, you could hop the train and I’d be happy to pick you up at the station and take you to and from his office. Once you had met the once, I’m sure everything else could be done by mail, email, and phone. Hell, he might not even need to meet in person the once, I don’t know. Feel free to email me and I’ll be happy to respond ASAP.
But I must say, I do like SOME mixed prints in home decor - wall papers and comforter/sheet sorts of things. But then my house leans toward the Victorian, and Lord knows that was not an era distinguished for its excellent taste!
I always go to H&R Block (til our great tax guy died). Looking for a new and cheaper guy this year. We don’t have a complicated return, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one.
This guy sounds like a nutcase. I’d be interested in knowing how many people drop him because of this professional blunder. I wouldn’t want him doing my taxes after this display anyway. While he’s responsible for the accuracy of your return, he’s not responsible for finding every possible tax break he can for you. He’d probably withhold all kinds of great tips to keep your bottom line lower.
I don’t know, Eve, but I keep thinking of my father’s excellent advice the first time he took me out driving on my learner’s permit:
“Beware of people who do dumb things, because they tend to act like idiots.”
I’d just find a new accountant. You don’t owe him an etiquette lesson.
What about mixed patterns in the same garment? My friend has a crimsom and white voile sundress and every other panel is polka dots and every other panel is striped?