Cash Study, Senator Kerry

[Felix The Assassin]

Here we have a news article in which a US Senator is conducting business against his cash strapped state:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/...html?tag=strip

(AP) Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is docking his family's new $7 million yacht in neighboring Rhode Island, allowing him to avoid paying roughly $500,000 in taxes to the cash-strapped Bay State.

I can't think of a single American who doesn't try to reduce the amount of taxes they have to pay. Hell Americans pay people to make sure they pay the least amount possible in taxes.

[Firestormalpha]

I think what Felix is trying to say is that as a public official and leader we should expect the senator to do the responsible thing and not avoid taxes etc.

But then, we all know that's like expecting people to actually stop at those funny red octagons with letters on them.

[SpiritWarrior]

I thought the right hated the idea of paying taxes. Or is it they hate when someone else doesn't have to pay them? Hehe.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha I think what Felix is trying to say is that as a public official and leader we should expect the senator to do the responsible thing and not avoid taxes etc. But then, we all know that's like expecting people to actually stop at those funny red octagons with letters on them.

Correct.

With the double standard we have become accustomed to from our elected officials, one would think, they could think, what something like this means back home.

[Timber Loftis]

This isn't even tax *evasion,* it's just tax planning. It's like blaming drug companies for all moving to Ireland when it instituted a tax haven for them.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis This isn't even tax *evasion,* it's just tax planning. It's like blaming drug companies for all moving to Ireland when it instituted a tax haven for them.

Now TL, you darn well know, if this were you, your state auditor would find a way. Take Washington state for example, some folks "attempt" to "tax plan" their RVs in Oregon. Washington has gotten very crafty on how to handle that, and collect their taxes.

This is yet another flaunt of politicians at work.

Remember he is an elected offical...

[Chewbacca]

Sounds like an issue for constituents to decide with their votes whether or not such behavior, done commonly by citizens as noted, is wrong for an elected official to do.

One perspective to consider is that it's easy in a region of small states like New England to blur the lines with regards to borders, heck even our NFL team belongs to the region. While there is clearly a tax benefit, that in and of itself doesn't prove irresponsible motive for parking the boat there. The facts presented in the article seem reasonable:

Kerry spokesman David Wade said Friday the boat is being kept at Newport Shipyard not to evade taxes, but "for long-term maintenance, upkeep and charter purposes." Wade noted the vessel was designed by Rhode Island boat designer Ted Fontaine and purchased in the state. It was built in New Zealand by Friendship Yachts.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca Sounds like an issue for constituents to decide with their votes whether or not such behavior, done commonly by citizens as noted, is wrong for an elected official to do. One perspective to consider is that it's easy in a region of small states like New England to blur the lines with regards to borders, heck even our NFL team belongs to the region. While there is clearly a tax benefit, that in and of itself doesn't prove irresponsible motive for parking the boat there. The facts presented in the article seem reasonable:

Chewie! We were *not* discussing that he bought a foreign manufactured boat, we were discussing where he was docking his foreign made boat.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Felix The Assassin Chewie! We were *not* discussing that he bought a foreign manufactured boat, we were discussing where he was docking his foreign made boat.

Trade with other Nations, now there is a proud American tradition that goes all the way back to when we were rebel colonies.