My parents are in a IRS loop from taxes from a few years ago. They've fixed it and paid (it was a crazy error,) and then the IRS figured out it owed them some money, but it got tangled up and everyone is being as helpful as they can, but it is this whole byzantine mess where the right can't figure out it has a left and keeps coming after them. Because of it, they've been audited every year since.

But they aren't flying planes into buildings.

Which reminds me, need to do my taxes soon.

Right, Scrappy.

I'm not sure what to make of the Tea Party movement. They seem to be anti-Obama, but not really pro anything.

I think that's why I didn't get a particularly Tea Party (it irks me to call them that because it disrespects those original Bostonians) vibe; it lacked any anti-Obama angle.

The government is spending too much on anything which doesn't directly benefit ME. Taxes on ME are too high.

Yeah, I think you've nailed it.

My NYS thing was ridiculous in that they audited me at the very end of the time limit, so I had done the same "error" for four years in a row. Problem was, it wasn't an error according to their instructions. When I pointed this out, they came back with "You should have known about Rule ABC in publication XYZ" when it wasn't mentioned or referenced at all in the pretty detailed intruction booklet. Every audit I ended up owing about $600-700.

My only satisfaction came from the fact that the instructions for NYS now mysteriously include information addressing the very same issue. Coincidence? I think not.

Gud, I don't suppose you'd be willing to do our taxes for us, would you?

I'm not sure you want someone who has paid too much taxes doing yours. If the IRS hadn't contacted me, I'd be out that $90.

Dang, I tried to click on that link, and it's now been taken down by the request of the FBI.

Meara, it's probably cached somewheres...

Here's a copy: [link]

The whole Southwest Air/ Kevin Smith thing was ridiculous. They misrepresented him completely (read: lied). He bought two tickets because his wife was going with him. She ended up not going. He picked up his two tickets and sat down in one seat, buckled the seat belt and lowered the arm rests. (This is the test for whether you're Too Fat To Fly: if you can't buckle the belt without extenders and can't lower the armrests.) He was safely in the seat, completely in compliance with regulations, and THEN they threw him off the plane. They also publicly humiliated a heavy girl who they apparently also asked to leave the plane. Kevin Twittered about it at length and did a Podcast as well. He was livid, and rightfully so.

He bought two tickets because his wife was going with him. She ended up not going. He picked up his two tickets and sat down in one seat, buckled the seat belt and lowered the arm rests. (This is the test for whether you're Too Fat To Fly: if you can't buckle the belt without extenders and can't lower the armrests.) He was safely in the seat, completely in compliance with regulations, and THEN they threw him off the plane.

This is what I don't get: he HAD 2 seats. He was complying with their policy. So how could they throw him off when -- let's ignore the fact that HE FIT IN ONE SEAT ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN SPECS -- he had 2 whole seats for himself?

What am I missing? Other than the fat hate, that is?