I have no real interest in going into this subject since "rich" is an ill-defined concept. However, stilli, you know little of the tax code if you think that someone who earns $150K owes only 10% taxes. In fact, very few people in this country are in a 10% tax bracket. Moreover, in NY, you would also be paying state *and city* taxes.

This goes back to one of my central points: before one starts discussing an issue with a point of view, they should at least be aware of the rudimentary facts. It's quite more probably that someone earning $150K in a salary is paying 45% of more of their income in taxes (total). NYC is a very expensive place to live and the cost of living needs to factored in as well.

None of this justifies violating the law, etc. However, it's important to ground the discussion in reality before proceeding. For example, if a person's total tax burden is only 10%, you would find most perfectly willing to pay that money. The reason you find "rich" people complaining about taxes is that the percentage is usually much higher than that. That is an important insight into the base of your discussion.

Here's the thing though: The _love_ of money is the root of all evil, not the money its self. Avarice after all is a mortal not venial sin.

Stilli, I have the same issues with Geithner. I respect the Warren Buffett approach - those who are blessed with much should pay their fair share of taxes.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/taxes-warren-buffett-and-paying-my-fair-share/

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I think Caroline Kennedy was not well-suited to be a Senator. Speculating on what her tax problems related to housekeepers or nannies is something better left to the brilliant pundits, who love to guess out loud on teevee.

Does anyone here know specifically what her tax problems are, or even if she has a tax problem? I didn't think so.

BTW, I have had some "tax problems." Once I gave the wrong social security number for one of my dependent sons. Turned out the guy was 42 years old and his name didn't match. The letter that came was very official and no-nonsense about my possible fraud in claiming this dude as though he were 7 years old.

I had another tax problem when I did my taxes myself sans Turbo-Tax. Turned out I had to pay the AMT, but I didn't get that after reading and re-reading the directions 10 times. That letter was also very stern. I called, and after being hung up on a few times, I finally got someone who walked me through it, and then I agreed I owed another $72.

Last year I had another tax problem. I refuse to e-file, because why should I make it easier for them to audit me? I am sooooo smart, I forgot to sign my tax return. Oh, I signed the one I kept for my records, but not the one I mailed in.

So, you see girls and boys --- tax problems come in all shapes and sizes, and figuring out what Caroline's are is just too haughty for my taste.

Why not wait. Why not find out? Wait for facts? What a concept!

Much of this discussion is moot.

Caroline Kennedy doesn't deserve to be appointed to a seat since she didn't vote in the general election in 1994 -- which included the same senatorial seat.

No amount of apologizing can get away from the fact that some view the US as an emerging oligarchy. It's time to fight that at every place it rears its head.

Stilli, there is not enough substance in this rumour to make a determination of fact yet. Consider these two exceprts from the article

one person close to the governor said that her candidacy had been derailed by problems involving taxes and a household employee, but declined to provide details.

A Democratic operative with ties to Mr. Paterson said the governor told Ms. Kennedy last week that she was the choice but that he would use the next few days to do "a little misdirection to keep the suspense up."

Ms. Kennedy did not elaborate, but a person who spoke to her suggested that her concerns about the health of her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who suffers from brain cancer and was hospitalized after a seizure on Tuesday, contributed to her decision.

Ms. Kennedy believed that the job was hers if she would accept it, the person said, but aides to Mr. Paterson would not comment on whether that was true.

Her decision appeared to catch the governor off guard, throwing the Paterson administration into confusion and setting off conflicting news media reports.

Nicholas Confessore and Danny Hakim, "Kennedy Drops Bid for Senate Seat, Citing Personal Reasons", New York Times, January 21, 2009

One of my sisters employed an undocumented Salvadoran immigrant as a live-in housekeeper/nanny for several years. She lived in a 1 bedroom guest house during the week. On week-ends, her daughter (a documented immigrant) would drive inland, and take her mom back to her place in LA. She was a widow facing impoverishment in El Salvador, and her daughter had arranged to have her move up to LA several years before. My sister got the woman registered in English and basic citizenship classes, then pressured her to continue them. After her English had become adequate, my sister sought out a competent immigration attorney, and helped pay the fees to get this woman lawful documentation. She was a pleasant, enjoyable woman, who took her duties as my niece's and nephews' nanny seriously. They recieved a great benefit from the relationship: all three are conversant in Spanish (although not Castillian), a skill with great potential rewards, both personal and financial in modern day California.

Immigration concerns are only black and white superficially. It is a travesty when any hard working immigrant in America gets labeled as "Illegal". It is antithetical to the Dreamtime America.