Senator Coburn Complains Athletes And Musicians Driving Up Tax Rates
Sorry Tom, our tax problems are not caused by rich athletes/musicians
[su_right_ad]Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn (R) is complaining about wealthy athletes and musicians exploiting loopholes in the tax code and driving up rates for the rest of us “regular folk.” It’s funny that a person who is a millionaire comfortably situated in the 1% Club, takes issue with other wealthy people finding ways to avoid taxes while omitting the majority of tax dodgers. Tom Coburn has received millions from conservative PACs, Big Pharma and the oil and gas industry (Koch Industries), but somehow overlooks these folks in this report.
The Oklahoma conservative, who will be retiring at the end of the 113th Congress, just ahead of the release of his report, entitled “Tax Decoder,” said
If you support making the tax code fairer and flatter, voting to revive expired tax giveaways for special interests has the exact opposite consequence.
It’s rather telling he fails to include those massive industries whom the Republican party serves so loyally. Of course he wishes to divert the scrutiny from gigantic tax loophole-abusers like Fortune 500 companies, some of whom pay $0.00 in taxes and focus on the loopholes utilized by stars of the music and sports world. The comparison in sheer numbers of those who have made it big on stage and on the field pales in comparison to the number of wealthy people/corporations who can capitalize on the exact same tax break strategies. That’s a straight out of the Republican playbook: give the people bread and circuses; these will serve as a needed distraction.[su_csky_ad]
tracey marie December 10th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Idiot, He is one of the more benign and he is retiring. The true crazy eyed teabaggs are coming into government from the sounthern states.
tiredoftea December 10th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
And, what, Oklahoma’s moved?
mea_mark December 10th, 2014 at 4:23 pm
So the republicans want to demonize musicians and athletes now. The republican party just keeps shrinking, soon there will be no one left to demonize except themselves.
tiredoftea December 10th, 2014 at 4:25 pm
Obviously, too few athletes and musicians filled his campaign coffers and retirement accounts!
Mainah December 10th, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Any chance it’s because most musicians, except for some Country ones, are considered liberal? Or that a lot of sports stars are wearing shirts that say “I can’t breathe” or coming onto the field in the arms up position? Me thinks it is …
allison1050 December 10th, 2014 at 8:48 pm
And there you go Mainah.
rational_thinking_one December 10th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
He is dead wrong. I can tell you that the vast majority of professional athletes are taxed at the full federal income tax rates. They are paid w-2 wages with very little, if any, business expense to write-off. Unlike business owners that have various deductions they can take.
Jake December 10th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Hmm some new code words to contend with – athletes and musicians – I wonder what these people look like?
Surely it is obvious the biggest tax dodgers driving up taxes are the freeloading scum of the corporate religious complex.
TAX the CHURCHES!
Corey James December 10th, 2014 at 7:33 pm
He has a mouth on both sides of that ass on his shoulders, and uses which ever one feels best for him at the time.
alpacadaddy December 11th, 2014 at 10:53 am
Got that right (and if he sits down he’ll break his glasses!)
allison1050 December 10th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
And once again he’s proven what an ass he is and always will be.