Your comments have been noted concerning the poll on whether or not it is important that government officials (even at the Cabinet level) should be honest or not in paying their taxes.

If you would like to vote on this poll, please click here.

Comment (13) - 04/17/09 03:41 PM

Quite frankly, I'm amazed that the question posed in this poll would even be raised! Like it or not, paying tax is the law in most countries and I can't believe we'd even question whether or not they should be paid honestly. It has nothing to do with whether you're the President (or Prime Minister where I come from) or the 'lowliest' of citizens - "render unto Caesar" is the requirement. End of story as far as I'm concerned.

Comment (12) - 04/17/09 10:35 AM

In response to commenter 2 - I highly doubt that most of the commenters care about which party Obama's nominees represent. Having honest leaders in government should be important. It always seems to be "do as I say, not as I do" mentality when it comes to someone with any political clout. I agree that there is a difference between honest mistakes and cheating. But to say that we should forget the thousands and thousands of dollars that were owed in back taxes would be irresponsible on our part as concerned citizens. Just because they've now been paid (once brought to light) is irrelevant. Its what you do before people find out, not because they found out. It's like throwing trash on the ground and then realizing people are watching you you go back to pick it up...just 'cause you got caught.

Comment (11) - 04/17/09 06:55 AM

I have been amazed at how many of the Obama apointees have tax problems. It seems like the rich and powerful operate under a different set of rules. After graduating from college I owed $50 in taxes and had $12 to my name, so I filed but did not pay. The IRS hit me with a big penalty in addition to the $50. But these Washington insiders get away with owing tens of thousands of dollars and don't get caught until they're up for a cabinet position? Where is the IRS' infamous vigilance when it comes to these people?

Comment (10) - 04/16/09 05:55 PM

I agree that there's a difference between actually cheating and honest mistakes. With our complicated tax codes, no two accountants would get the same results for the same individual, unless it was a 1040 EZ with only one W2.

Comment (9) - 04/16/09 06:29 AM

If those with the most money to pay for tax prep are not honest, and especially those who will be enforcing tax codes on the rest of us Average Joes, how are we to trust that the equality put forth by the Constitution they are sworn to uphold will be in effect. It seems that there is one level of enforcement for "them" and another for "us." Doesn't seem very fair now, does it?

Comment (8) - 04/15/09 09:57 AM

If you can't trust someone to spend/pay with thier own money honestly, how can you expect them to spend/pay OUR money honestly? Why would we want anyone who is dishonest in any way as a LEADER, no matter what party? And OF COURSE mistakes are human. That is not the poll question, is it?

Comment (7) - 04/15/09 07:47 AM

oops, I should have put "weighs" instead of "ways". Sorry.

Comment (6) - 04/15/09 07:46 AM

I agree with commenters 1 and 3. I think putting forth a good faith effort to pay an honest tax is what's important, but realize that small mistakes will probably be made. My problem is that a lot of these nominees had huge mistakes. I think they should have immediately removed their names from the running.

I feel sorry for commenter 2 - hanging on to all that contempt can really way a person down.

Comment (5) - 04/15/09 07:14 AM

Yes, it is vitally important that everyone, and especially those asked to be cabinet members, be honest in paying their taxes. But just yesterday I heard a professor of tax law say that virtually everyone makes a mistake on their taxes. Virtually EVERYONE. Our tax law is so complex that even the IRS will give you incorrect information a very high percentage of the time. So yes, every person should be completely honest, but that is very different than being completely correct.

Comment (4) - 04/14/09 11:25 AM

Actions speak louder than words. We have always been honest in paying our taxes even when we have not had to money to do so. Seeing those in leadership positions take the opportunity to cheat sends a message of distrust and disrespect for all to see. Do they think they will never be held accountable? Saddest part is that many see this as a green light to follow their "example". If they can get away with it, why can't I seems to be the mentality. These are truly the last days.

Comment (3) - 04/14/09 10:37 AM

I would like to see the option: They must make a good-faith effort to comply with all tax laws, but a perfect understanding of the Tax Code should not be a requirement for holding a cabinet post.

Comment (2) - 04/14/09 08:22 AM

Ah, where would Meridian be without its' conservative bias? Republicans can drive up the deficit and send us to war under false pretenses, but when some of Obama's nominees have some tax problems, that's what you jump on. Never mind that everyone he has successfully appointed have straightened things out and paid. I hate to break it to you, but they'll probably be some Democrats in the Celestial Kingdom . Sorry.

Comment (1) - 04/14/09 07:42 AM

Needing to recognize there is a difference between HONEST and TECHNICALLY CORRECT. Years ago, the IRS sent me a letter saying that I owed them back taxes and penalties because I did xxxx in 19xx. I looked, and sure enough, they were right (they had created a new worksheet/rules for that particular thing). I found I also did it a couple of other years.

Soooo, I filled out 3 1040x forms, wrote a check, and stuffed them all in an envelope, along with the original letter before the 'due" date. Mistake ---- that confused the IRS system. They cashed my check **and** raided my bank account for the original amount --- which lead to several other checks bouncing. I had violated the obscure one envelope-one check-one transaction rule.

I can only imagine what the press/ political opposition would do with that if I were up for a cabinet position ----