Sec. of Treasury Nominee lying thru his teeth at hearing on C-span ...now.

[dixiegrrrrl]

He is doing the Gonzales dance...repeating same phrases over and over about his income tax cheating,
irritating Bachaus who is trying to get to bottom of the tac issue.
Worth a listen.

[Justitia]

1. So, how do YOU know he's "lying"? Did you see his tax return? Are you an accountant? -eom

[bunnies]

4. +1. nt

[Thrill]

2. I personally think the Senators are annoying. Especially Kyl

How many times can the guy say he made a mistake and he paid what he owes?

[Donnachaidh]

3. he's totally full of buzz words and I dunnos, isn't he?

*Too complex* *too important* blah blahh

And he still has not really answered why he was asleep at the wheel in the fed.

[Idealism]

5. The tax procedure for someone employed at the IMF is very hard

You are technically self-employed, even though you are not. This conflict stems from that, and many offshoots along the way. It isn't so cut and dry of "yeah I wanted to evade paying taxes."

[soothsayer]

8. I thought the IMF sent out explicit info to employees to help them understand this issue.

[Idealism]

11. I don't know about you but I am none too observant when it comes to mail

Especially from an employer

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. The job of Treasurey Secretary is very hard, also.

I would want someone who understood complex issues or had staff who could understand the issues.
This guy is saying he did not read the important line on his own tax forms, for 2 years, nor did his accountant.

[Idealism]

19. True enough, I would prefer others to Geithner for sure

Krugman, Rich, or Stiglitz would have done me just fine

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. Ay yay yay

:eyes:

[lamp_shade]

6. But they keep asking the saaaaaaame questions.

[KoKo]

7. Interesting you say that. He reminded me of the way Gozo dodged every question, too.

There's something about him that doesn't command trust. Why are they all so hellbent to get him in there? What info does Obama have that he thinks this guy is fit for the job?

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Yes, I wondered same thing. He is a Paulson protogee, out of Goldman Sachs,

Ass't Sec. of Treasury, and was using the same phrases and defending the TARP bailout money going to to banks.
In fact, he kept parroting the same things Paulson was saying about how "urgent" it was to give money to banks "for the good of the taxpayer". He must have said that a dozen times.
I have no clue what Obama was thinking in picking Paulson's mini-me.

What was clear was he was avoiding direct answers to Mauthas questions about
*intent* of tax avoidance, even tho the affirmative answer would have been nothing significant.

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. Well that sounds like a intelligent pick for Sec. of Treasury.

"Paulson's mimi-me". x(



I think if you give them a seat at the table, they'll eat all the food

[shintao]

14. You saying the interview is going badly?

The people asking the questions seem to be the problem. They are same people who do not know what a carton milk sells for or that their is a waiting period on drawing unemployment benefits. Give them time, they might learn something about paying taxes themselves.

[Justitia]

15. 100% BULLSHIT. Get your facts straight if you are smearing someone. -eom

[JFKfanforever]

17. Tim Geithner should NOT be confirmed at this time

Geithner's overlooked tax due from his days with the IMF
should have been cleared up (with interest and penalty) years
and years ago.  After-the-fact payments made solely for
prudential personal gain are more than suspicious!

In addition, there seems to have been an IRS-denied claim for
his children's summer camp fees ... ???  .... of between
$4,000 and $5,000.  Every taxpayer knows that you cannot
legitimately claim a luxury retreat in the woods as either
child care or education.  Why didn't Tim know this?  

The Treasury Secretary of the USA is tasked with having the
IRS under his umbrella.  Geithner's umbrella leaks big time...
He may be brilliant and a protege of Bernanke as well as
Paulson, but these factoids are immaterial. Character counts! 
Tim Geithner should be denied confirmation on ethical grounds
at this time.  At some later date, perhaps it could be
reviewed.... but not now. 

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion and so must the
President's Treasury Sec.  Going forward, we need a squeaky
clean team!  

[Justitia]

18. There is so much absolute horseshit on this thread it boggles the mind. Clueless. -eom

[KoKo]

26. Plus he hired to undocumented workers to clean his house. Never checked

which probably means he didn't pay their SS Taxes. Sounds like Geithner is one of those "anti-tax" advocates. Yet, he wants to use our tax money to bail out the same banks he worked for and didn't regulate.

[Belial]

10. Its pretty simple... you get paid a certain amount.. you pay taxes..

and he if cannot figure it out.. I would prefer someone a little more savvy as the point person..

[SammyWinstonJack]

16. Seems simple enough. You owe, you pay.

:shrug:

[spanone]

23. it's not simple at all. otherwise there would be no cpa's...

ever try doing your taxes if you itemize?

[Belial]

24. OK OK.. I was being a little bit of a smart ass.. Yes.. I do

itemize.. He didnt use a CPA.. he used Turbo Tax.. LOL

[kiranon]

20. Perhaps being No. 2 at Treasury is a better position for him.

There is something about him that reminds me of certain types of experts/policy wonks/technical wizards who end up overworked and depressed and either cut too many corners because they've made mistakes and need to fix/hide them or do not seek out the counsel of others to help them out of the mess they've accidentally found themselves in. Hope I am wrong about him.

[FLAprogressive]

21. He's a lot better than Lawrence Summers

that could have been the worst pick this side of bringing back Paulson.

[European Socialist]

25. If Geithner is confirmed ,Obama can look forward to years of...

jokes from late night comedians every time celebrities get in trouble with the IRS.