Geithner nominaton trouble?

Himanshu Shah, Parsippany, NJ — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:41:50 GMT

What a hypocracy. We are behaving as if the rest of the country is perfectly honest about paying every dime in tax.

Are we going to forgo the services of a competent man for that?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

ace-independent — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:44:25 GMT

shall we save judgement until there are facts. right now it sounds like a rumor or possiblity. the right will play it for press coverage. a hiccup that will be taken care of with a cool drink of water named obama. hello.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

pat huntington ny — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:46:51 GMT

OMG! So, this guy employed a cleaning lady, paid her off the books, and now, can't be Treasury Sec.? Um, that would mean millions of homeowners who do the same thing would not qualify. Its so common practice, please, give me a break!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Granda W., NM — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:51:26 GMT

Geeze, we just had a corrupt governor appoint a stooge to the Senate, a corrupt senator who made a ton of moneyy in cattle futures laugh her way through a day of questioning, a corrupt Senate leader who made over a million dollars on a land deal in Nevada, a corrupt President Elect who bought a house for $300K below asking price, two California senators whose only job appears to be to funnel government contracts to their husbands companies, and we're worried about some one not paying a thousand dollars in FICA taxes?

The world is truely upside-down.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Randy Scarlett Portland Oregon — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:51:55 GMT

I know the main media group don't want here this but fact are fact the clinton people is not a change for the american people. they started this housing mess what are they thinking of cleaning it up or just put more money in there pocket or hide what they did before Come on Obama where the change you promise?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Biggie Smalls — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:53:24 GMT

Ohh, took down a Treasury Secretary nominee for having illegal help. That's big. That is real big.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Joe Kenns, MA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:55:29 GMT

[W]hat's being called an "emergency Senators only meeting."

Super secret stuff. Was Burris there?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Rick Swenson — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:57:07 GMT

I make less than $50,000 per year. I don't have domestic help. But even I know that it is required that Social Security be paid (witheld) for anyone who comes onto your property to work for an hourly wage. Are we led to believe that a potential Secretary of the Treasury doesn't know enough to follow the law? How can we trust people like this with our currency??????

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Pat Maher,Albuquerque,NM — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:02:40 GMT

How did this go over 2 months and not get noticed? Richardson and now this?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Strawberry 31127, Newton, NC — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:02:59 GMT

Politicos are all Criminal at some time... sooner or later... It is a shame that the senate is going to sweep under the rug the situation of H Clinton.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

GG — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:03:54 GMT

Ironcally the post he is up for comes as a double-edged sword. If we were talking abt any other post, I'd say the times require that all things being equal, someone who is supremely qualified ought to just pay up fly right. However, this is a high stakes financial slot & it smells....badly that he didn't pay appropriate taxes.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

eagle1776 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:05:11 GMT

Oh oh, somebody may be caught hiring an illegal alien to save having to pay decent wages and taxes. This doesn't look good for Geithner. If he has done that than he should not be confirmed and maybe should suffer other consequences too. Better to catch that stuff early than later on.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

J.D. Minnesota — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:05:25 GMT

Enough is Enough - if this guy is tainted, like so
many others, he is not worthy of confirmination.
His would be a position of public trust. Who can
the public trust anymore?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Change You Can't Count On — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:07:09 GMT

Two days from now, honest, hard working, ethical U.S. citizens are to make a required quarterly payment...voucher #4 as the final installment of 2008's estimated taxes to the U.S. Treasury. Question: since Obama and his Secretary of the Treasury designate (read Tim Geithner) have chosen to stiff American citizens, may those citizens ignore this and all future quarterly payments?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Benjamin J. jones, Laguna Beach, CA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:11:46 GMT

Pretty Damn sad- put someone in charge of the Treasury Department who does not pay their taxes- GREAT EXAMPLe- "Business as usual on the hill."
God help the Republic!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

jane doe Virginia — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:13:52 GMT

Why haven't all the dem's jumped on the bandwagon to say that this is just a minor thing and should not hold up his appointment when it seems that all the appointments so far have a few blemishes on their record in some shape or form. This should be no big deal he is just going to be the head of the treasury department who has failed to provide information on his personal tax return.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

C. Larry Neuman, Kansas — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:14:58 GMT

First Read: Stabenow indicates that, in her view, Democrats would be unlikely to withdraw support from Geithner. Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch also indicates he has not seen a reason that would disqualify Geithner

==============

The Senate, just like with Burris, makes everything all nice, tidy and legal. Then we wonder why things go wrong when we elect/appoint people of low character to high office.

Also, what'd you think would happen if Joe or Jane Sixpack did the same thing? That's right, they'd being telling their story to the judge.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

I've had it and I can't stand no more! — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:15:00 GMT

oh please give me a break

Geithner nominaton trouble?

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:15:08 GMT

Another shiny object to mesmarize the Republicans, the sore-losers, and the media for the next two weeks. Let's see how they try to use this to impeach Obama, shall we.

1 WEEK UNTIL INAUGURATION DAY!
http://jawillie.blog.com

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Change You Can't Count On — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:15:44 GMT

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Joe Sepeda,Early,Texas — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:17:10 GMT

President-Elect Obamas resumes are doing what they were intended to do...Weed out the people with skeletons in their closets. Unfortunately that's everyone in Washington. What politicians lack is honesty when being dishonest. My father, rest his honest soul, told me a true story about a political race in his hometown when he was a boy. One canidates slogan was...."Vote for me, I'll steal less than the other guy." And he won. He won because he was honest about being dishonest. All we ask of Washington is to lie less...steal less...squabble less...backstab less...cheat less...............

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Silver Girl — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:17:29 GMT

>>>>Politicizing the DOJ has to be one of the top 5 illegal, unconstitional acts of the Rove/Bush/Chaney administration. Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:44 AM) (from another thread)<<<<

Ron ~ Great comment, but can you see the sad irony in being able to identify a top 5 list of illegal or unconstitutional acts? Unfortunately (for us), that was way too easy.

Okay. Now, can anyone name 5 accomplishments of the Bush administration? No? That's even sadder.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

dan, douglas, arizona — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:18:47 GMT

How in the world could this have happened with all the supposed scrutiny that the Obama 'team' has done with it's questionaires and the like. Come on news people do your jobs. Is this administration going to get a pass on everything. So much for an honest press!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

B. Longrove — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:19:30 GMT

You'd think that question would be on the form you fill out before the PE nominates you. Unless Geithner lied or misrepresented himself on that form too. If that's what happened, then it might be best to find someone else.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

jane doe Virginia — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:19:58 GMT

Geithner nominaton trouble?

John Indianapolis In — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:23:47 GMT

What is wrong with the politicians in
America. I'm not in the public light
and have never attempted to cheat on my
taxes. These people just don't get it.
If these allegations are true, then get
rid of him now.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

andrew, albuquerue, nm — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:23:57 GMT

The real issue is, Can he save our economy? Who cares about anything else?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Fred Ulrich, Seattle, WA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:25:28 GMT

Secretary of the Treasury nominee making an "honest mistake" on taxes? And he wants to head the Treasury? I don't think so!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

patrick — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:25:40 GMT

lets give Charles Rangel a pass as well--he forgot to pay some of his taxes as well but if Joe the plummer did not pay his taxes he would be in jail? such double standards.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Fred Ulrich, Seattle, WA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:26:39 GMT

Secretary of the Treasury nominee making an "honest mistake" on taxes? And he wants to head the Treasury? I don't think so!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Anna Molly — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:29:50 GMT

We spend tens of billions a year on education and we are getting a crappy deal...spending 100's of billions more won't make a broken system better...sheesh Ralphie (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 2:02 PM)

Ralphie ~ Nice try, but next time, do some research. We may spend a lot of money on education, but everything is relative. The problem we're seeing in public education today correlates with 40 years of conservative initiatives (such as Proposition 13) to CUT school spending in order to save tax dollars so people can buy McMansions and corporations can have tax breaks. And how did that work out, by the way?

If you check it out, you'll find that rich school districts still spend much more money per student than poor districts do. If money makes no difference, then why is that? Or are the rich just that much more stupid than everyone else?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

skip duvall — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:31:10 GMT

so much for the " we are going to change" the way government operates, same old beltway garbage. same old nonsence; fat cats still lapping up the cream only difference its the dems so they will not correct the problems but will over look them or make excuses why it doesnt matter

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Ed Crane, Middlebury,IN — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:36:29 GMT

Please, not another corrupt scandal tainted associate of Obama.

1467 more days until Obama/Biden are gone!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Pete, Salinas, CA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:39:30 GMT

Republicans always go along with Dem nominees. It's Demos that whine and complain about, can we say EVERYTHING! See the blogs filled with Cry Baby Demos every day. Filled with hate,anger, racism and jealousy. A nasty lot!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Gracie Sexton, Mabton, Washington — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:41:30 GMT

I am a very proud supporter of Obama, BUT the comments that Mr. Gibb made recently regarding Ted Geithners "mistakes" on his taxes sounds alot like the past adminstrations cover up and it's-not-my-fault retoric! Please don't start this hopeful administration with that kind of bullshit! Please tell the truth. I find it very hard to believe that Ted Geithner didn't know how much taxes he owed...and he wants to be our Teasury Secretary!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

PAUL — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:42:02 GMT

IF AN INDIVIDUAL "FORGETS" TO PAYHIS TAXES FOR 4 OR 5 YEARS WHILE WORKING IN THE POSITION THEY ARE NOT FIT FOR A LEADER OF THE TREASURY. IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN THIS IS THE SAME INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS OVERSEEING THE STOXK MARKET

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Jim Jenkins, Everett, WA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:44:01 GMT

Geithner was Dartmouth and Johns Hopkins educated and the 9th pres. of the Federal New York bank - its inconcievable that he did not know he did not pay his self-employment taxes. Dig deeper - don't drink the cool aid from the Obama team.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:44:08 GMT

Is this nominee problem of Geithner typical of what we can expect from this administration. No research and no homework?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

REALLY?!?!? — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:45:22 GMT

COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!

How many people does this make now that Obama has tried to put into office that are crooks!?!?!?

And I guess it doesn't even bother any of you liberals that every single one of them has LAME, WORTHLESS excusses right?!?! Of course not, you just turn a blind eye and say that Obama and his team are perfect! Is anyone keping score now?

lets see......

Geithner-Treasury Sec-DOESNT PAY TAXES! are you guys serious!??!! I thought you were all laughing at us "dumb" conservative rednecks b/c we didn't like these Ivy League people and you told us that it was best to have a bunch of them in office insteaad of stupid people like Bush.....

Well riddle me this, how is it that a man gets picked for TREASURY SECRETARY and doesnt PAY TAXES?!?!?! And he just didn't realize it!?!?! Yeah, and if I was to tell the IRS that excuse I would be kicked out of my house with no where to go.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

M. James, Cumming, GA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:49:48 GMT

I would like to know why penalties weren't charged on top of tax and interest. If this happened to a normal citizen the penalties would have been assessed. Our income would have been garnished and we would have been threatened with jail time.

On another note... why would we want a treasury secretary that didn't pay taxes?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Patti's Mom — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:50:03 GMT

Per CNBC's John Harwood a Senate leadership source calls the situation "manageable."

===============

That's funny. That's exactly what Blagojevich said when he appointed Burris.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

drs — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:51:29 GMT

For crying out loud, this is not the end of the world. Surely people have done worse things in life (if true), and besides, too many examples of people in our country who have sinned, made amends, and done bigger and better things.

Time to suit the politics of nit-picking (and political demagoguery) and get with the business of solving the real and daunting challenges facing this country! That's really what the Obama election really represents.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Jim, Albuquerque, NM — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:51:54 GMT

Treasurey Sec. and he can't get his taxes done correctly? You've got to be kidding. Can his butt and find someone who pays attention to the details.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

H. Jenson, NC — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:53:16 GMT

You just know if this was a Republican, Schumer would have stampeded to the nearest camera and in total red-faced anger bemoaned the corruption of the Republican party.

What a fraud that man is.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

rick richardson — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:53:29 GMT

Politicians as usual....above the rest of us

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Media Please Get It together — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:55:15 GMT

Facts:

When Mr. Geithner received his final payments from the I.M.F. paid his state and federal income taxes but did not pay self-employment payroll taxes from 2001 to 2004.

The I.M.F., as an international organization, does not withhold U.S. payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare from its American employees" paychecks, so they are required to pay the roughly 15 percent tax on their own.

After a 2006 Internal Revenue Service audit identified the lapse for his 2003 and 2004 tax returns, Mr. Geithner paid tax and interest of $17,230 and the I.R.S. waived penalties...

But Obama vetters discovered the same lapse for 2001 and 2002 and brought it to Mr. Geithner"s attention last Nov. 21, after which he paid tax and interest of $25,970.

- nytimes

Geithner nominaton trouble?

J Sixpack — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:55:24 GMT

JSixpack: But your honor, it was a simple mistake!

Judge: 5 years, take him away.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

LT Wright — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:24:09 GMT

By the way. Do you know the country (per capita) that spends the greatest part of its GDP on education for its students? Try Cuba.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL

That little data point tells you more about comparing GDP percentages from different countries, ie., you shouldn't do it, then it does about the Great Education Success Story in Cuba.

Come'on C A, there's young kids reading this stuff. Don't pollute their minds with drivel like this.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:25:29 GMT

Some of these comments are just so ridiculous. It is completely understandable to mistakenly miss paying these taxes. Geither probably had income coming from multiple sources and this is not a typical situation. To expect that just because he is a smart finance professional means it must have been trying to cheat vs, it being an honest mistake. I am an Accounting manager, but I am not a tax expert by any means. And if I had the kind of complicated finances that I am sure Geither has, I would just turn over my paperwork to a professional.

Also, Obama's transition did know about this. As far as they were concerned he rectified the mistake by paying the back taxes and penalty. I completely agree. I want a Treasury secretary whose complete focus is on the countries finances (not his own).

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Rubye,w,tb — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:26:05 GMT

This man will be over the IRS! What a wonderful "leader" our country will have! If this is the "vetting" the president's "people" do, he needs a rapid change in personnel!!

This was apparently a long running problem--multiple years. These are not new laws----many, many years of household employee tax law, etc--decades. He can't be that stupid or uninformed, can he?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Matt Reading, PA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:30:03 GMT

Give Geithner the benefit of the doubt and call it an honest mistake. Is no one concerned that the man who's going to run the Treasury Dept. in the worst recession in a generation can't do the appropriate math on his own taxes?!?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:31:31 GMT

Its called credibility.

Whether Geithner made unitnentional errors on his taxes or not, failed to recall he had to pay self-emploment taxes and made amends on the same, his credibility is shot in the eyes of the public. And when your credibility is shot regarding such an important post that will have a major impact on the current economic crises, it's time to find a new candidate.

This is one where I have to agree with those who lean right and who have been reacting to those credibility problems that many on the left have been noting lately with the Bush administration. Geithner should remove himself from this appointment.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

joe, st. louis mo — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:06:17 GMT

He seems to be a smart guy, I commend him for attempting to file his own taxes. If more Senators did this the tax code would be simpler. Maybe now Mr. Geithner will support the FairTax; it's not what you have heard...www.fairtax.org.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

LogicalSC, Sunset, SC — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:12:08 GMT

"40 years of conservative initiatives"

Why yes of course it has to be the result of conservatives, einstein. In a field dominated by leftist and liberals at every level, it has to be the fault of some conservative somewhere that your education agenda is a miserable failure.

You don't have to look further than your dear "mistake", I mean "messiah", to discover the decline of education. Obama and his leftist buddies at the Annanberg Challenge blew thru 155 million dollars slated for the betterment of poor Chicago schools and did NOTHING for the children. WHY!

Because instead of spending all that money on resources which would develop those children's ability to compete and make a solid, profitable life for themselves. You know small things like math, reading, economics, and technology! Obama and his cohorts, which did include Ayers and Klonsky, squandered the money on "social justice" cirriculum initiatives which would have infused every class from math to science to health with marxist dogma.

How many computers and tutoring could have been provided with 155 million dollars instead of turning the schools in to indoctrination centers for agitators?

The facts are that our schools have diverted to spreading liberalism to younger and younger children and not preparing students for life in a competitive world. Guess what, while liberals are teaching the wonders of transgender tolerance to US children, other successful countries are turning out engineers, computer specialists, mathematicians and scientists.

Guess who is going to get quality careers and quality industries?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Average Joe — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:41:00 GMT

How many strikes can Obama rack up before his inauguration?

A change we can believe in? It would appear that the change that was promised was a lie, only to reveal just how corrupt our politicans are.

Also suspcious that everyone involved has a D in front of their represented state. I can only hope that those states will vote out corruption!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Skeptic, Spencer, NC — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:09:05 GMT

Tim Geithner didn't pay his "self employment" taxes from 2001 to 2004, because of an "honest mistake(s)". If he cannot manage his own finances better than that, how can he manage the U S Treasury and $800,000,000++++ ? When was the Federal Reserve Bank of NY last audited?

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Kevin, Miami FL — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:54 GMT

Bush was President for 8 Years....Leave this guy along. If Obama wants him, I want him. Back off our Guy!!!

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Tim, Seattle, WA — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:04:09 GMT

The veneer is coming off the 'Messiah' faster than I thought. And this is the easy stuff.

Now watch for the promise to close Gitmo turn into just a task force to look at options for closing Gitmo. Then look for the promise to end domestic wiretaps on terrorists without court approval also to go unchanged. The 'Messiah' will take a look at the intel briefs day after day and not want to "drop the ball".

Ahhhh.....the problems that lofty rhetoric and slavish supporters can cause once the hard work of leading begins.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

shayla — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:02:52 GMT

I give Geithner a pass on this one. I mean the IRS didn't catch it the first time when he had to pay back. Seems to me this is a tempest in a teapot. Same with the housekeeper. He did his due diligence but really I've never had an employer follow up a couple of years after I've worked wanting to see my social and california id. And as for the ten percent penalty, it's at the discretion of the IRS and often when you self report it is waived.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Vera Richardson — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:53:31 GMT

I am an African American female and a die hard supporter of President Elect Obama. I agree with the people who comments included the following statements "this guy is tainted therefore, he is not worthy of confirmination. I would add to the statement, Tim Geithner is tainted therefore, he is not worthy of confirmination period!!! There are 300 million people in America and one of them is more than qualified to become the next Treasury Secretary.

Vera Richardson

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Luigi, Balt. — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:56:08 GMT

So in other words he forgot that not paying taxes was against the law. OK lets put him in charge.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Chandler W. — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:15:04 GMT

Who cares! He paid the back taxes. We need someone who understands the banking industry. Getting out of this financial mess is more important.

Also, it is amazing that this stupid thing is getting so much play. Bush and Cheney, for the last 8 years, broke all kinds of laws, yet there was and is little to no uproar about that.

How dumb can Americans be.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

ryukyu — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:22:28 GMT

This isn't about him not paying taxes on a housekeeper, it's about him not paying HIS OWN taxes until the Obama team started vetting him for the position. Why do you not want to hold these people to some standards? Look at the position he is going to he can't even keep track of his own taxes? Even if it was an oversight, what kind of oversights is he going to do with YOUR taxes. For crying out loud, there has to be some good competent people out there. Quit circling the wagons anytime something comes out about someone with a (D) after their name. This is the biggest problem we have in government right now on BOTH sides.

Geithner nominaton trouble?

Lafayette NJ — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:38:04 GMT

If this was a Republican nomination the left would be jumping up and down. Do you want a man in change of the IRS who knows so little about taxes (by his own admission) that he can't manage his own taxes? It's not just the illegal worker problem, that was just one instance, read about the self employment taxes he failed to pay for himself. Four years of tax fraud and this is his reward!! Now that’s hypocrisy.