The NY Times celebrates Tax Appreciation Day with one of their dumber guest pieces ever.
Everyone’s Income Taxes Should Be Public
Disclosure of tax payments would make it easier to hold politicians accountable. It also would help to reduce fraud and economic inequality.
Say what? The NSA is hoovering up my cell phone metadata in an attempt to track terrorists and the Time freaks out, but publish everyone's tax returns? Great idea!
Social scientists would love this, and maybe we would move closer to Equal Pay For Equal Work if people knew each other's paychecks.
But as to just what he is proposing, it's hard to say. Early on, its about Trump:
Almost a century later, it’s time to revisit the merits of universal public disclosure. Democrats in Congress are fighting to obtain President Trump’s tax returns under a separate 1924 law, written in response to related concerns about public corruption. That issue could be resolved, at least in part, if Congress embraced the broader case for publishing everyone’s tax bill.
Now as then, disclosure could help to ensure that people pay a fair share of taxes.
A bit later, we are following the property tax model, which is a ridiculous analogy (sales and liens are publicly recorded, unlike my salary, and low-ball appraisals for a mayor's friends would stick out like a sore thumb, but still:
Calling for more disclosure may seem discordant at a time of growing concern about privacy. But income taxation is an act of government, not an aspect of private life. Property tax records provide a reasonable model. Local governments disclose the name of the property owner, the value of the property and the amount of taxes owed and paid. The same information should be available for income taxes — nothing more is necessary.
Well, with Medicare and soon enough, Medicare For All, my use of medical services is very much a matter of public interest. I don't foresee a groundswell to put that on the web.
But if the suggestion is to include a top-line income figure and a bottom-line tax liability, how will that help my colleagues gauge my salary relative to theirs? What if my also spouse works? What if I have investment income? Or deductions for medical care I'd rather not publicize?
If he is calling for detailed disclosure researchers will be grateful but no one will agree. If it is cursury summary data, it won't mean anything. Sounds like another well-thought through progressive proposal induced by Trump Derangement Syndrome. Should have been run on April 1.
NO DEAD HORSE LEFT UNBEATEN: The Earnest Author forgot to include his own tax info with this op-ed piece, and he fails to note that the NY Times could disclose many more salaries of their top reporters and staff than they do. Despite mentioning the Scandinavian practice he also omits this sort of detail:
“It is obvious that openness is significant,” said Stein Reegard, chief economist of the Norwegian Confederation of Trades Unions. “At least for a better-informed public debate about the different levels of wages in society, whether it’s a question of leaders’ wages or equal pay.”
But the evidence is unclear and OECD economist Herwig Immervoll said there was no obvious correlation between income transparency and pay disparities. A 2015 Eurostat report showed a gender pay gap of around 15 percent in Sweden and nearly 19 percent in Finland, compared to an EU average of just over 16 percent.
Yeah, well, whatever.
and a guy looking over his reading glasses is pretty hot.
Only if you keep the smudges and fingerprints cleaned off:)
Posted by: Buckeye | April 15, 2019 at 07:35 PM
JiB,
Agree on Doc.
Posted by: Gentlejim | April 15, 2019 at 07:38 PM
and a guy looking over his reading glasses is pretty hot.
Does it help if you have greaseball hair like Schmucky?
Posted by: Gentlejim | April 15, 2019 at 07:41 PM
HB to Clarice’s mom! Wow.
Posted by: lyle | April 15, 2019 at 07:41 PM
Ovechkin knocks out a fellow Russkie an Carolina up 1-0 while those guys get 5 minutes.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 15, 2019 at 07:50 PM
GentleJim,
Finally found the Caps on CNBC. But iffy on streaming. Have to up with Jim Cramer.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 15, 2019 at 07:53 PM
CNN
Verified account @CNN
A couple adopted seven siblings who had been separated for more than a year in foster care https://cnn.it/2KH7hWd
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 07:54 PM
a guy looking over his reading glasses is pretty hot
That leaves out Chuckles and his spectacles of doom.
Posted by: hoyden | April 15, 2019 at 07:55 PM
Keeps cutting off. Going to bed early and watch on tablet.
Slaap lekker, tot morgen.
Will lurk.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 15, 2019 at 07:57 PM
The Hill
Verified account @thehill
12m12 minutes ago
Paul Ryan joins University of Notre Dame faculty http://hill.cm/g6Argjv
Another cushy job!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 07:58 PM
So the wrong Notre Dame burned?
Posted by: henry | April 15, 2019 at 08:01 PM
Ryan will be with Buttguy in SB. We don’t need more idiots in IN.
Posted by: Gentlejim | April 15, 2019 at 08:04 PM
Limited tickets available for tomorrow's Blue Jacket vs. Lightning game.
A few crappy seats left at ~ $125. Most seats are north of $300.
Posted by: Buckeye | April 15, 2019 at 08:05 PM
henry,
Good point.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 08:08 PM
Buckeye,
Better on TV. See more.
Go Jackets. Love underdogs.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | April 15, 2019 at 08:09 PM
Ryan is one of those questions to those taranto questions asked, weld was muellers boss in bean town, and then head of the criminal division,
Posted by: Narciso79 | April 15, 2019 at 08:14 PM
I think were going to need another color hat:
http://meaninginhistory.blogspot.com/2019/04/what-was-behind-mueller-appointment.html?m=1
You thought the pulitzers were irrelevant before?
Posted by: Narciso79 | April 15, 2019 at 08:20 PM
Yes it's bad fiction:
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2019/04/15/gop_muellers_collusion_bias_could_carry_through_to_final_report.html
Posted by: Narciso79 | April 15, 2019 at 08:23 PM
One might call them the dhommi caucus:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-european-leaders-call-on-eu-to-reject-trump-plan-if-no-palestinian-state/
Posted by: Narciso79 | April 15, 2019 at 08:25 PM
More rumors about the fire being intentionally set.
https://twitter.com/gboydaz/status/1117871872845070338
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 08:31 PM
Final vespers at Notre Dame:https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=63&v=xLBF0Zb8Bs4
Posted by: clarice | April 15, 2019 at 08:32 PM
“I could have misunderstood, but I don't think it's correct that the church was empty at the time.”
As I mentioned earlier, my friends were there this morning, and there was a long line to get in. It’s not possible that it was empty. I’m sure it’s teeming with tourists all day long, even if they’re just waiting in line.
Posted by: jimmyk | April 15, 2019 at 08:38 PM
Re. Notre-Dame...
The interior stone arch ceiling appears to be intact.
Reportedly all the religious valuables are safe.
The interior is largely intact.
The sculptures on the spire were removed four days ago.
An aerial water dump would likely have done more harm than good. Water on hot stone wouldn’t have done good things to the stone, and the sheer force of the impact might have knocked down the interior stone ceilings.
Posted by: Another Bob | April 15, 2019 at 08:38 PM
Happy 100th birthday to Clarice’s mom.
Posted by: jimmyk | April 15, 2019 at 08:42 PM
At least one of those on that list of grandees were lobbying for Ukraine that would be Javier solanas
Posted by: Narciso79 | April 15, 2019 at 08:44 PM
Oh, yes.
Happy birthday to your mother, Clarice!
Posted by: Melinda | April 15, 2019 at 08:44 PM
Thanks for the tip Jimmy k.
Posted by: Narciso79 | April 15, 2019 at 08:45 PM
Photo allegedly an hour or so prior to the fire. It was definitely open.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4O5ISaXoAAGnNa.jpg
Posted by: Another Bob | April 15, 2019 at 08:49 PM
Video statement by Macron with English subtitles.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 08:51 PM
Pretty low-class of Ovi to take that fight with Svechnikov.
19-yo rookie and Ovechkin has 50 pounds on him.
Posted by: Another Bob | April 15, 2019 at 08:52 PM
Happy Birthday to Clarice's mom!
Posted by: peter | April 15, 2019 at 08:53 PM
So Macron will rebuild with other people's money?
Nice of him.
Posted by: Another Bob | April 15, 2019 at 08:54 PM
Oh, that pic from Notre-Dame I just linked?
Retweet from MM’s feed.
Shoulda’ known that... ;)
Posted by: Another Bob | April 15, 2019 at 08:55 PM
Another Bob,
As if I keep track of everything!
If it's a repeat, on an event like this, it is more than welcome.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 09:03 PM
Selma Hayek's husband reportedly pledged $100 m to the rebuilding effort.
Posted by: clarice | April 15, 2019 at 09:05 PM
No MM Igor it from you, I’m a follower of yours. I didn’t note the “Retweeted by” part at first.
Posted by: Another Bob | April 15, 2019 at 09:05 PM
I thought that name sounded familiar.
Posted by: Narciso79 | April 15, 2019 at 09:05 PM
Igor > I got > autocucumber
Posted by: Another Bob | April 15, 2019 at 09:06 PM
Indonesia's elections are on Wednesday. Stu has done a short tutorial on what's going on.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1117830439413198849.html
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 09:20 PM
We need some happy news. Video at the link.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 09:25 PM
Vice President Mike Pence
Verified account @VP
Vice President Mike Pence Retweeted ABC News
Notre Dame is an iconic symbol of faith to people all over the world – and it is heartbreaking to see a house of God in flames. Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters on the scene and all the people of Paris.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | April 15, 2019 at 09:32 PM
Gosh, it is so, so horrible about Notre Dame. I just can't believe it. My whole family is in shock--my youngest, who was just there in March, told me he wept when he was in it from its splendor and the weight of history--and now he is weeping for it now. All so sad.
That's tremendous about your mom, Clarice--100 is a great feat! Congrats to her!
Posted by: Catsmeat | April 15, 2019 at 10:21 PM
KH at the BJG blog notes an interaction.
Im jealous, wish that I had a Trump Shop nearby!
Was traveling on rt41 today around punta gorda fl, in a 12-14mi stretch there were 2 curbside pop-up type tent “Trump Shop”‘s. Passed the first, stopped at the second one cause there were a dozen or so cars and people around it and it was on my side this time. Anyway ended up chatting with an AA retired former union (electrician) life-log dem (did vote Reagan second time around) who #walked away “for good” basically in 2016, along with his wife. He actually lives in MI (snowbird), he ain’t going back to dems – “everyone has gone completely nuts, it’s like they all live on some other planet, any sense of reason or what is good for the country is completely gone”.
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 15, 2019 at 10:48 PM
New
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 15, 2019 at 11:02 PM
It's not just Mexicans crossing the border
African illegals at the southern border. — Border Patrol says they are on the lookout for Ebola. Sadly, "Ebola has a 14-21 day incubation period where the infected show NO signs."
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-16/african-migrants-texas-border-monitored-ebola-official
The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the second deadliest in history, with 772 dead out of 1,220 confirmed cases since the outbreak was declared on Aug. 1, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Posted by: President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA | April 16, 2019 at 04:37 PM