Das(chl)ed Hopes

Or Daschled dreams. Whatever. so Tom Daschle dropped out today, along with yet another Obama nominee with a problem with paying taxes, Nancy Killefer. She only managed to neglect to pay taxes for an employee – gee where have we heard that before. Daschle amanage to run up a massive $140,000 or so in unpaid taxes and penalties. Killefer is a piker in that crowd.

Yet, there does seem to be a real problem in the Obama administration – they pick some people with very shady dealings in their recent past. Nope. No double standard here.

“I appointed these folks. I think they are outstanding people. I think Tom Daschle, as an example, could have led this health care effort, a difficult effort, better than just about anybody. But as he acknowledged, it was a mistake. I don’t think it was intentional on his part, but it was a serious mistake. He owned up to it and ultimately made a decision that we couldn’t afford the distraction.”

Obama added, “I’ve got to own up to my mistake. Ultimately, it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes.”

Ahem. Timothy Franz Geithner, the new secretary of the treasury, managed to avoid paying taxes until caught and still is the secretary of the treasury. No double standard? If you – my readers – and I were to not bother to pay taxes, do any of us think that the full might and power of the IRS would descend on our heads?

Do you think you would get a plum appointment if you behaved in the same fashion?

So, Daschle, Killefer, Geithner and Richardson – so far. Only one has made it through the process and secured a nomination.

Want to bet there will be more revaluations real soon?

Side question: since Joe “Who?” Biden proclaimed the paying of taxes as patriotic, can we infer that these failed nominees are less than patriotic?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Europeans And Canadians Express “Thoughtless Nonsense”

Maybe they don’t get the USA Today in Ottawa or Brussels? EU attacks ‘Buy American’ clause

The EU has increased its pressure on the US to reconsider the “Buy American” clause in the $800bn (£567bn) economic recovery package now before Congress.

The clause seeks to ensure that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods are used in projects funded by the bill.

A European Commission spokesman said it was the “worst possible signal” the Obama administration could send out.

The EU will launch a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) if the clause remains, the spokesman said.

The EU and Canadian ambassadors to Washington have already warned that the clause could promote protectionism and trigger retaliatory moves.

You’ve been rebutted Sen. Dorgan. Any thoughts?

Or should I say, any sane and rational thoughts?

ADDING:

Well, let’s ask Dorgan’s fellow Democrats, like House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer:

Canadian and European Union officials’ concerns about restrictive “Buy American” provisions in the U.S. economic stimulus proposals are justified, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said on Tuesday.

“I think (the) concerns are justified,” Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, told reporters at a regular news briefing….

Major U.S. trading partners such as Canada and the European Union say they are worried not just about lost exports to the United States but the greater damage that could be done if other countries pursue trade policies that restrict imports.

Canada’s Ambassador Michael Wilson sent a letter to Senate leaders this week complaining about the “Buy American” provisions.

Hoyer said he had spoken about the matter with the Canadian ambassador, who was “very concerned about the flow of economic activity between our two nations.”

“So I think the concerns are relevant,” Hoyer said.

Why must Dorgan put up with so many spouting “thougtless nonsense”?