Take 5

A fun jazz number performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.


Or, in cinematography, the filmed version of a particular shot or set up. You keep counting up until the shot/scene is completed.

It's in this light that Mimi Hall of USA Today talks about "Tax Troubles: Take Five." Although not as cool or smooth as the Brubeck version, this fifth take regarding an Obama Administration appointee relates to--you guessed it--tax problems. Hall writes, "another of President Obama's Cabinet-level nominees has problems with unpaid taxes," Ron Kirk, nominee for trade representative. He joins the ranks of the following individuals:

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who had failed to pay $34,000 in taxes, and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, whose husband had roughly $6,400 in tax liens against his business, both were confirmed. Former senator Tom Daschle and former Treasury official Nancy Killefer, nominated for Health and Human Services secretary and chief procurement officer respectively, withdrew their names amid revelations about unpaid taxes.

But don't worry- Kirk's nomination is "on track." "The White House on Monday characterized Kirk's tax troubles as 'minor' and expressed confidence that he will be confirmed by the Senate."

Must be nice.

Are taxes not part of the vetting process? Do they just not care?

One can only hope that the Rangel Rule gets adopted before the rest of us (gasp) common American citizens have to pay our taxes.

Crossposted on RedState