People have been saying that Al Franken is not qualified to be a politician but do you believe this?
article provides proof that he is more than qualified to be one?
Overlooked in coverage of Tim Geithner’s and Tom Daschle’s unpaid taxes is the $70,000 that Minnesota Democratic senatorial candidate Al Franken has admitted to owing in back taxes, interest, and penalties.
Last April, the California Tax Franchise Board revealed that Franken owed the state $5,800 in taxes, fines, and penalties because he did not file returns in 2003 through 2007. Franken then admitted that he owed more than $50,000 in back taxes to 17 states.
Franken blamed everything on his accountant of 18 years, saying he failed to report the income from the comedian’s celebrity appearances and speeches in those states where he made money outside of Minnesota and New York, where he lives. Franken claimed he overpaid taxes in those two states and will file for refunds.
But the accountant, Allen Chanzis, has not verified Franken’s account. In fact, he has said he was told not to talk to the press. Nor has Franken released any documentation to show that he overpaid taxes in two states.
“I’ve been told to say ‘no comment,’” the accountant told reporters.
On top of failing to pay taxes in 17 states, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board hit Franken’s corporation with a $25,000 penalty for failing to carry worker’s compensation insurance for his employees in New York. Yet Franken ran as an advocate of middle-class voters.
Chanzis’ Web site specifically says his firm “handles multi-state filings” and that he has “unique expertise in all aspects of tour accounting and reporting.” It is absurd to think that Chanzis did not understand the tax laws. More likely, Franken — who bears the ultimate responsibility for paying his own taxes — directed his accountant not to pay the taxes. Since his accountant will not talk to the press, presumably on orders of his client, we have no way of knowing whether Franken actually overpaid in the two states where he lives.
After a recount, Franken came out 225 votes ahead of Republican Norm Coleman. Coleman has challenged the results in court, and the issue is being litigated.
To be sure, Franken’s failure to pay taxes was known to voters, and he is not subject to anyone else’s confirmation. But coming on top of the Geithner and Daschle tax debacles, Franken’s failure to pay taxes gives new meaning to Sen. Jim DeMint’s comment that Democrats favor higher taxes as long as they do not have to pay them.
Commenting on Daschle’s withdrawal as a Cabinet nominee, President Barack Obama said, “Ultimately it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules. You know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes.”
If Franken is seated as a U.S. senator, he will send the opposite message.
He is just as qualified to be a Senator as Barack Obama is qualified to be President. Sooner or later, voters are going to find out that the election of both of these men were mistakes.
I didn’t need all that evidence to know that he is bad news.
He wasn’t qualified to be a comedian or a talk-radio host either. The only thing he did to fit in with the new administration is to be another tax-cheat. Obama has set the bar so low that every liberal now believes they have what it takes to speak for the people.
Anyone but a Republican should fill that spot. Republicans are just not smart enough to understand the problems we face.
Geez! Another lib screaming that we dont pay our fair share and that we need to raise taxes, but doesnt bother to pay his own. If this wasnt so appalling, it would be laughable at this point.
Not sure what can be done about it. Once Geitner was confirmed, all bets were off. Change you can believe in!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A strong case for corruption on the part of Norm Coleman could be made as well. Perhaps MN should appoint Mr. Barkley?
Franken should spend his entire time as a senator as Stuart Smalley. Wear the clothes and stay in character the entire time.
Remember, this is Minnesota we’re talking about. It’s the same state that made Jesse Ventura governor. He’s technically qualified if he actually got the most votes though he’ll be well out of his league in the Senate. He won’t be asked to do any actual thinking, just come up with some zingers for the mainstream media to eat up.
Al Franken is a loser, and I certainly hope he loses this thing in court. Yes, I’m a Republican, but Al Franken as a senator? That is laughable, although when he’s on stage performing, he is not funny at all, he is downright vulgar and disgusting. Just what we need in the senate, right?
What’s the problem? It sounds like he meets all the standards…..for Democrats.
Franken is a FREAK! He’s not even that good of a comedian! He’s riding the coattails of the sheeple overload in this country right now. If the sheeple will elect an inexperienced, ultra-liberal president, why not a freaky, tax-cheating comedian? Afterall, for the sheeple, it’s all a matter of how much publicity you get, not what that publicity actually shows.
Oh well…. listen, the election is over. Let;s move on. You can’t just change a result by complaining about it. If you have a problem with a Franken vote or policy then okay.
BTW, I don’t like Frnken but I am getting tired of all this technicality crap about elected politicians. Attack these people on their jobs… we already know that a lot of them have ethical problems (but so do their opponents so its a wash…. Coleman was no boy scout).
He will be a better Senator the Corrupt Coleman was.
Again, we voted a Dem. in and the Repukes gotta whine about it.
Coleman didn’t want any more votes counted, they counted and Coleman LOST.
Now that Coleman lost, he wants more votes counted.
I say count them, the more they count, the more votes for Franken show up.
Do all repukes think if you take votes to court you will miraculously win like Bush did?
The best example I have heard on this subject is;
“electing Obama as POTUS was about as smart as hiring a college student fresh out of school to be the CEO of Microsoft.”
We the people don,t elect on qualifications.
Remember this;
No challenge to Obamas qualifications have EVER been answered without controversy and/or evasion. To this Day!
Al Franken is a big joke.
What would be the alternative, seat Norm Coleman. Nope, he’ll pay his taxes and that will be that. Wall Street, Washington, all these people have a sense of entitlement that the voters need to deal with.