Today has been proclaimed Tax Freedom Day, the day on which Americans have earned enough to pay their federal, state, and local taxes and we can start keeping the money. I wonder if Hallmark sells a card.
Does this mean I don’t have to pay those second, third, and fourth quarterly estimates that my accountant set up? Ok, I realize that’s now how it works–after all I did keep some of the profits from the first quarter. It only feels like I sent it all to the government this soon after April 15.
It’s not hard to understand that this is purely a symbolic holiday with no real signficance. Even on this day I found a blog which follows the Republican 12th Commandment–Blame Bill Clinton For Everything as Tax Freedom Day is described as being based upon “misleading figures whose significance is cloaked in Clintonian wording.”
Wow, you thought one throwaway adjective was the most important thing about a 1,500 word post?
We were both trivialing the significance of Tax Freedom Day. I bet tying it in this way would give you more attention than saying you have a 1,500 word post explaining why Tax Freedom Day isn’t of much meaning.
Is it a totally throwaway adjective? Bill Clinton certainly lied about Monica and played games with the wording, but if we are looking for misleading wording there are far better examples. For example, Frank Luntz, and those who follow his advice, would be far better examples.
I also find it strange to refer to a former President when we have a current President who has distorted the truth so much more frequently, and over subjects of such far greater importance.
I knew it…Tax Freedom Day is all Bubba’s fault…
Battlebob,
It goes beyond that. Any deceptive or misleading wording is Clinton’s fault. Apparently there was no dishonesty in the world until Clinton lied about Monica. Then, like opening Pandora’s box, dishonesty was released into the world, and all who are afflicted can place the blame on Bill Clinton.
Well, I’d have happily used “Luntzian” if I thought more than three readers would know what the hell I was talking about.
Ron..I got it now….
Lieing to go to War…Bushes fault…no way…Bubba did bad…
Illegal wire taps?…Did Bush break the law?…nope…Bill must be looking for who peeked while Monica was relieving him.
Tortue..Guantanamo..lawyergate….Bill…Bill and Bill
It is all so easy. The buck stops with Bill.
Julian,
Please don’t take this too personally. I have often made fun of the Republican tendency to excuse everything by blaming Clinton. This whole post was somewhat tongue in cheek, and your reference to Clinton played into it, while also being relevant should anyone follow the link and really care to read more about the insignificance of designating a single day as Tax Freedom Day.
You don’t think more than three of your readers know who Frank Luntz is? If you don’t want to use Luntz, there’s always those who follow his teachings.
Battlebob,
That’s it. They might be a little more subtle. For example, the firing of the federal attorneys was justified under Bush because Clinton also fired them. They just leave out the facts that Clinton only did it routinely at the start of his term, and leave out the political pressure behind the recent firings.
And yes, Bill lied about Monica, and those great believers in family values in the GOP (when not supporting the local escort service) find this far worse than lying the country into a war. Maybe that’s because going to war against evil doers is a good thing, while having sex in the oval office is always bad.
Well, Julian, this all is trivial, but be thankful for the potential hits it is giving both of us. USA Today picked up this post, including the link to your post.
“And yes, Bill lied about Monica, and those great believers in family values in the GOP (when not supporting the local escort service) find this far worse than lying the country into a war. Maybe that’s because going to war against evil doers is a good thing, while having sex in the oval office is always bad.”
Yes. Yes. Yes. Exactly and well said.