Author Archives: Russ

Reality Hits the Swamplands

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Russ

I poke fun at New Jersey. The politics in the Garden State have been high on corruption and low on common sense. But in a shock (a very welcome and surprising shock) last November New Jersey residents said enough. Governor … Continue reading →

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Another Early Nominee for Bozo Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Russ

It’s only February and we have our second nominee for the Bozo Tax Offender of the Year award. Via the TaxGirl comes the sorry story of Jonathan Wiktorchik, Jr. Mr. Wiktorchik lost his Chiropractic license in 2007. He had pleaded … Continue reading →

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Bureaucracy Run Amok

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Russ

Every so often I think that bureaucracies can’t sink to new lows. I should never underestimate the stupidity of bureaucracies. First, from South Carolina comes the word that anyone who wants to overthrow the United States Government must register with … Continue reading →

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“I am not a crook.”

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

New York will soon have a ‘racino’ at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens, New York. (A racino is a race track that also has slot machines.) Governor David Paterson chose Aqueduct Entertainment Group to build and run the racino. New … Continue reading →

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The Cubs Tax

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

I’m a Cubs fan. I grew up in Chicago, and I loved going to games at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will start spring training in a couple of weeks in Mesa, Arizona. And that’s what this story is all about. … Continue reading →

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What €2.5 Million Buys You

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

You can buy a lot with €2.5 Million. That’s about $3.41 million, about the salary of a typical major league baseball player. It can also buy you one cd, normally priced at about $0.35 (or about €0.26). Why the mark-up? … Continue reading →

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Falling from the Summit

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

Roger Shoffstall ran the Summit Telephone and Telegraph Company in Alaska. The company serviced areas north of Fairbanks. As I reported last September, Mr. Shoffstall wanted his after-tax profit to be the same as his before-tax profit. That’s tough to … Continue reading →

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There Is an Income Tax and You Must Pay It

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Russ

When I ran West Coast operations for a telecommunications company, we hired a new employee. As per company policy, before he started work we had him fill out all the company paperwork. That individual handed the customer service manager a … Continue reading →

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“Shhh: The Middle Class Tax Hikes Are Coming”

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Russ

Most of us are in the middle class: That’s a fact. If taxes are going to go up, taxes on the middle class are going to go up. It’s an inconvenient truth that the current Administration would prefer not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Budgeting | Tagged | 1 Comment

Radio Russ

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Russ

I am the guest on this week’s Deuce Plays podcast with Bart Hanson. The focus of the podcast is poker and taxes. You can also download it to your computer by clicking on this link.

Posted in Gambling, Taxable Talk | 2 Comments