Tax article on Palins $150K clothing purchase...

[Burke]

While we are on this subject, give me your opinions on the deductibility of "appearance clothing" for a celebrity.

[taxea]

Tax article on Palins $150K clothing purchase...

1. She isn't paying for the clothing, the RNC is.
2. It isn't "your tax dollars at work" it's RNC money
3. It is alleged that the clothing will go to charity after the election...I would like to know which charity because what a great way to get a discount on overpriced items.
4. As far as the Alaska issue, do you have all of the facts? Is this something that the Alaska rules control? Did she do anything she wasn't rightfully entitled to do?
5. Never believe anything you haven't researched and verified yourself.
and finally...Judge not, least you be judged. taxea

[DTS]

While we are on this subject, give me your opinions on the deductibility of "appearance clothing" for a celebrity.

Burke,

You beat me to the question. After I told you Fey is way too thin (you can tell by looking into her eyes) and that she looks like she needs a steak dinner, I was going to ask this, as well.

Probably, not to worry. I doubt she took them home, as they are a cheap imitation of Palin's and Fey might not want to add them to her personal wardrobe to wear again.

[Zee]

1. She isn't paying for the clothing, the RNC is.
2. It isn't "your tax dollars at work" it's RNC money

Where does the RNC get it's money?

3. It is alleged that the clothing will go to charity after the election...I would like to know which charity because what a great way to get a discount on overpriced items.

Do you think this was the plan from the start?


4. As far as the Alaska issue, do you have all of the facts? Is this something that the Alaska rules control? Did she do anything she wasn't rightfully entitled to do?

I don't know anything about Alaska rules or taxes. But, if what I've read is correct there is certainly some question about whether she has received a taxable benefit for federal taxation.

5. Never believe anything you haven't researched and verified yourself.

It'd be pretty hard for an individual (like me) to obtain the Palin materials for research. So, I have to sort out the information provided by the media and try to be as objective as possible.

and finally...Judge not, least you be judged. taxea

Last, I'm not judging anyone. I'm simply curious whether federal tax law will be followed without exception. Honestly, I think this is just a reflection of poor judgement by the RNC. What'd they think, it would get overlooked by the media? Her $150,000 wardrobe is peanuts compared to the cost of one political ad. I can tell you this, if I was a Governor or political candidate for VP I'd avoid any actions that might be questioned as much as possible. I'd feel exactly the same if Joe Biden were the one receiving the wardrobe.

[joanmcq]

Doesn't this counter her 'just plain folks' image to be wearing clothing from Neiman Marcus?

I'd be kinda insulted that my clothes and the baby clothes my son was wearing weren't 'good enough' to pass muster.

Of course, I know my clothes (current jeans, tshirt & really worn birks) aren't good enough. But you'd expect a governor would have enough decent suits to wear.

[JohnH]

Since all sense of reason, truth, experience and anything else we're supposed to be using to judge a candidate has gone out the window, I've just decided to judge my choice on who looks the best, no matter the cost.

I know it's shallow, but since I feel we can't win for losing, I've given in and just set my principles aside and have gone with what's easiest for me at this point.

I vote for Palin because she looks so hot and puts a smile on my face each time I see her on TV!

I like your reasoning.
I'm also voting for Sarah and the old guy (what's his name again?)

[newbie]

I think the media has it backwards. I think the point is that the real Sarah, even Gov. Palin, did NOT have the wardrobe the RNC thought she needed for national TV. Neither did her family. The Palin closets probably look much like mine! The RNC felt so strongly that her wardrobe and that of her family needed refurbishing for campaigning that they spent RNC monies on it at a time when the McCain campaign has less to spend than the Obama campaign on advertising. The Palins did NOT normally shop at Saks and Neiman's, but had to be sent there by the RNC to present the image the RNC wanted that family to present to the public.

Since all sense of reason, truth, experience and anything else we're supposed to be using to judge a candidate has gone out the window, I've just decided to judge my choice on who looks the best, no matter the cost.

I know it's shallow, but since I feel we can't win for losing, I've given in and just set my principles aside and have gone with what's easiest for me at this point.

I vote for Palin because she looks so hot and puts a smile on my face each time I see her on TV!

I like your reasoning.
I'm also voting for Sarah and the old guy (what's his name again?)

Well Lion, it looks like the RNC has bought some votes.

Doesn't this counter her 'just plain folks' image to be wearing clothing from Neiman Marcus?

I'd be kinda insulted that my clothes and the baby clothes my son was wearing weren't 'good enough' to pass muster.

Of course, I know my clothes (current jeans, tshirt & really worn birks) aren't good enough. But you'd expect a governor would have enough decent suits to wear.

I tend to agree with Joanmcq, it contradicts what she says.

[DTS]

Well Lion, it looks like the RNC has bought some votes.


I tend to agree with Joanmcq, it contradicts what she says.

Why listen to facts? You're the only one doing that!

[DTS]

...Of course, I know my clothes (current jeans, tshirt & really worn birks) aren't good enough. But you'd expect a governor would have enough decent suits to wear.

I know you are going around telling everyone you are a tax czar/czarina and now this comes out that you are wearing old jeans and a tee. Not good enough! You and I are living in different Kingdoms. I expect more of our leaders.

Don't worry though. Some will say they are not suitable and some will say they are way over the top and you spent too much. You're in good company.

You can't please everyone!

[Jesse]

If I need to go out of town for business, let's say a five hour conference in NY, should my boss pay $707 a night for three nights?

4. As far as the Alaska issue, do you have all of the facts? Is this something that the Alaska rules control? Did she do anything she wasn't rightfully entitled to do?
5. Never believe anything you haven't researched and verified yourself.

That came from Alaska's state finance director, Kim Garnero, if her facts are incorrect then so are mine. Garnero also said she did not break any laws, but in my opinion, and that is all that it is - an opinion, is that Gov Palin contradicts what she preaches. She claims not to be one of the "elite" and to shop at Wal-mart and clip coupons just like all the small town middle class people and her main defense about her spending is she still spends less than her predecessor.

Dennis,
I highly respect you and you are absolutely correct that you can’t please everyone. But I disagree with your personal attack on joanmcq as she was just stating her opinion as are others. I was in the middle and when Gov Palin spoke at the RNC I held some hope that she could be a fantastic choice. Maybe my expectations were too high, I don't know, but I have lost that hope. I feel Palin is just trying to tell us what we want to hear.

As well Biden does not make the decision any easier, he needs to keep his trap shut! Only my opinion.

I also don't believe that any of you are going to vote for either candidate based on just this issue, nor am I. There is a big picture, and for me it's just not that easy.

I now promise to the board that I will not revisit this thread. I will try in any other thread as well to keep out of the politics. I look forward to the day this election is over and no matter who wins hope that we can come together as friends and colleagues and respect each other’s opinions. If I have said anything in this or any other thread to offend any of you, I sincerely apologize.

[solomon]

Brilliant tax discussion. Where is the Moderator?

[joanmcq]

I know you are going around telling everyone you are a tax czar/czarina and now this comes out that you are wearing old jeans and a tee. Not good enough! You and I are living in different Kingdoms. I expect more of our leaders.

Don't worry though. Some will say they are not suitable and some will say they are way over the top and you spent too much. You're in good company.

You can't please everyone!

no, I am THE tax czar. I proclaimed myself in an earlier thread as an objection to tax pandering by any and all candidates, and that tax issues should be decided by someone with a basic knowledge of the how and why of taxation, and how one change can affect many differnt things. As well as to stop the incessant tweaking of the tax code for special interests, whether they be oil companies, people with children, people without children, poor, old, rich, young, I don't care. Just stop promising or doing crap for no reason than to get votes. I believe the issue that blew my gasket was the idea of a gas tax holiday.

[Bees Knees]

Brilliant tax discussion. Where is the Moderator?

Busy trying to update the book for all the zillions of tax law changes both political parties have crammed down everyone’s throat. Should we turn off the message board until we are done? Or can we remain civil and discuss tax issues on this message board?

[JohnH]

I've been wating for some sensible guidance on how to react to the clothing story, and finally got it from John Edwards. He says that's way too much money to spend on something as frivolous as clothing. Both John and his hairstylist agree there are much better ways to spend $150K to make you look good.

[DTS]

To all members...

Dennis,
I highly respect you and you are absolutely correct that you can’t please everyone. But I disagree with your personal attack on joanmcq as she was just stating her opinion as are others. I was in the middle and when Gov Palin spoke at the RNC I held some hope that she could be a fantastic choice. Maybe my expectations were too high, I don't know, but I have lost that hope. I feel Palin is just trying to tell us what we want to hear.

and in particular to Jesse. I want to apologize to anyone that I might have offended and it appears I did. I sincerely apologize for this!

When I joined in this thread, my intent was to have a bit of fun and poke fun at all the election stuff we're all going through now. I did point out Newbie and Joanmcq in a couple of posts, but only in a fun way pertaining to the clothing issue and I really hope they both know this. In hindsight, I wish I had not done this, but again, I was not being serious. It was all in fun.

Anyway, anyone offended by my posts, please accept my sincere apology. It won't ever happen again.

Dennis