Media exploits tax ignorance

The old Gray Lady ain't what she used to be, but she can still manage to conjure a story out of nothing. Using stolen tax returns and mirrors, the New York Times manufactured a scandal that will allow Chris Wallace to ask President Donald John Trump about his taxes at tomorrow's debate instead of asking Biden why he and Obama used the FBI to spy on President Trump.

Like any modern journalist, Wallace is relieved that he will not have to ask a substantive question in this Evening of the Septuagenarians. At 72, Wallace will be the youngest man on stage. Am I alone in wondering how healthy it is for the nation to have its government and media still run by baby boomers? In the case of Biden, McConnell, and Pelosi, it is pre-boomers.

Most Americans are not CPAs and have little understanding of the mechanics of taxes, but we do get the gist of how it works: Rich people hire accountants to minimize taxes. What journalists call  loopholes are in actuality the law, and you can bet that Congress accepted plenty of money from lobbyists to insert those provisions into the tax code.

The Times story said President Trump averaged paying $1.2 million a year in federal income taxes over the last 17 or so years, which indicates he makes around $3 million a year. If true, that would confirm my suspicion that he is land rich, cash poor, which makes sense as he is in the real estate business. Hello?

His property tax records -- which unlike IRS returns are public record -- would be a better indicator of his wealth. But that would involve going to multiple courthouses in multiple states and countries. Instead, the Times broke the law by stealing private records.

As editor Dan Baquet wrote, "Some will raise questions about publishing the president’s personal tax information. But the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the First Amendment allows the press to publish newsworthy information that was legally obtained by reporters even when those in power fight to keep it hidden. That powerful principle of the First Amendment applies here."

So far his newspaper has published nothing that holds Obama accountable for using the FBI to spy on Donald Trump.

Instead we get this criminal act. The spin from the Times with its purloined papers is "Long-concealed Records Show Trump’s Chronic Losses and Years of Tax Avoidance."

That's like saying he drove under the speed limit to avoid a traffic ticket. Who doesn't avoid paying more taxes than necessary? 

Market Watch reported, "Trump reportedly paid no federal income tax in 10 of the 15 years before his election. Why 75 million U.S. households pay no federal income tax."

In fact many of them received more money from IRS than they paid in thanks to the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is designed to offset payroll taxes for poor people with kids. In their case they are children rich, cash poor. 

The spin from Mini Mike through his Bloomberg News outlet is "Trump's Taxes Show He's a National Security Threat. What trade-offs would a president with this level of indebtedness be willing to make to save face?"

Biden's son meanwhile takes billions in actual, provable bribes from Red China, Ukraine, and Moscow without much mention in the press.

But if he has this huge debt, then why is he paying a million bucks a year in federal income taxes?

The Times story reveals how they will get the president once he leaves the White House.

Jason Easley wrote, "Ivanka Trump Could Be Going Down Thanks To Her Dad’s Tax Fraud."

The plan is to not only destroy Donald Trump but each of his children, each of his grandchildren, every friend, every ally, and eventually every voter. They will raze his every building, plow every golf course, and sow each one with salt.

Then Democrats will blame him for every calamity Democrats subsequently cause.

Chris Wallace could do his country a favor by asking Biden a simple question, "Did your son pay taxes on the bribes he collected?"

But then Wallace would lose his gig at Fox, wouldn't he?

UPDATE: Weasel Zippers reported:

So. I finally read the NYT Trump tax story because I wanted to see what line was being reported for taxes owed and I came across this about the $750 in 2016 and 2017. Per the NYT own story, Trump actually paid to the US Treasury $1 million in 2016 and $4.2 million in 2017. pic.twitter.com/ltnlMG0mKW

— alexandriabrown (@alexthechick) September 28, 2020

It is not simply a lie, it proves that the person making the statement either did not read the story itself (BY THE INSANITY OF CTHULHU READ THE SOURCES) or lack the mental ability to comprehend that the NYT itself claims that Trump paid $1,000,000 in 2016 and $4,200,00 in 2017.

— alexandriabrown (@alexthechick) September 28, 2020

The president followed the law.

In stealing his tax records, the New York Times broke the law.

Oh and the $750 in taxes lie will live on, won't it?