The Problem of Cabinet Nominees and Back Taxes

It is certainly disappointing that yet another Cabinet nominee of President Obama,  Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas, owes back taxes of under $10,000.

This is the fifth or sixth time that this has happened, and it caused a controversy for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, although he was confirmed, and it prevented former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle from continuing his candidacy for the HHS position. 

Of course, Daschle had a major amount of money owed in back taxes, while Sebelius’s back taxes are quite small in amount.  This does not mean, however, that the average tax payer is going to be understanding of her situation.

The point is, however, whether Democrat or Republican, people who are asked to serve by a President or who serve in Congress or in government agencies in high positions, are not "average" people like most of us, including the author.  They are, in reality, wealthy Americans who welcome the opportunity to serve in government, and there is no way that we are going to ever see much of a change in that unfortunate reality. 

So my thought is, make them pay their back taxes, as long as not a major amount such as Daschle had, and realize that accountants for wealthy people can themselves disagree on the proper taxation for these fortunate people.  But let’s not cut off our nose to spite our face and prevent them from serving in our government, with their expertise and skills able, hopefully,  to contribute to the future of the nation.

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