When accounting goes unaccounted for
And just an FYI for Grover – The New York Times has a clarification for you (and many others).
Maybe the typo is GN thumbing his nose at O^3 but if the Times is calling out the entire Twitter universe, it’s conceivable that this is a common error that can even befall the most fastidious bagel counters.
~ Update includes clarification on vote tally and addition to first paragraph. ~ Update 2 includes finally vote tally.
Despite Friday’s epic speech by Bernie Sanders, the Senate passed elected to finish debate on the tax cut/unemployment compromise this afternoon to set up the final vote before it moves on to the House.
At 4:12 ET, the vote was 62-7 with Sanders, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Tom Udall (D-NM) (CSPAN originally showed Tom as voting “no” and has now disappeared), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Kirsten Gillabrand (D-NY) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) voting “no.”
If you’ve got nothing better to do, you can watch the live feed here.
UPDATE, circa 5:00: Vote is 73-10 with John Ensign (R-NV), Mark Udall (D-CO), Kay Hagan, (D-NC), Carl Levin (D-MI) voting “no.”
UPDATE 2, circa 6:30: Finally vote of 83-15.
South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint had the perfect solution to this estate tax fiasco. GET RID OF THE DAMN THING ENTIRELY!
Unfortunately for DeMint, not too many people think the permanent abolishment of the estate tax is that hot of an idea.
Namely, a whole bunch of Democrats (minus Lincoln and Nelson of Neb) led by Majority Leader Harry Reid. The amendment failed 39-59 in a vote yesterday but no worries lovers of tax-free death! A few races in this fall’s election could kick around the this particular political pigskin, including Reid’s in Nevada where Tea Party darling Sharron Angle supports the permanent repeal.
It’s worth noting that J DeM considered the abolishment of the tax not to be a ‘tax cut’ but a “continuation of current policy since Congress let the tax lapse this year.” In that context, it sounds like Senator DeMint is embracing the fact that Congress screwed the pooch on the whole damn thing and figured that continuing the impotence of Congress was easier than having the same debate over and over.
Estate Tax Vote: An Issue in Fall Vote? [Washington Wire/WSJ]
Senate rejects permanent estate tax death [Don’t Mess With Taxes]
Also see: Senate Rejects Measure to Permanently Abolish Estate Tax [TaxProf]
At midnight this morning, a sales tax holiday began in the Bayou State on anything covered under the Second Amendment and a whole bunch of other stuff too.
Louisiana even went to the trouble of slapping together a 30-second ad:
Shockingly, American flags were completely omitted from this ad, which leads us to believe that there isn’t any political motive here, although this is only the second “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday.” You can safely assume that prior to 2009, Louisianians were not in fear of their freedom being taken away from them but since arackbay bamaoay started running things, people are arming themselves to the teeth for the impending roundup of gun snatching by the Feds.
For reference, here’s a list of everything that will be tax free but it boils down to this:
• Accessories designed to be used for hunting.
• Shotguns, rifles, pistols, revolvers or other handguns.
• Ammunition intended to be fired from a gun or firearm.
• Animal feed for consumption by game which can be legally hunted.
• Apparel such as safety gear, camouflage clothing, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, face masks and thermal underwear for use while hunting.
• Off-road vehicles such as all terrain vehicles designed for hunting.
Not listed above but included in the exemption are “Knives that are manufactured and marketed as being primarily for use in hunting,” in case you’re one of those cold-blooded types that prefer killing with your bare hands. This does not include the amazing Ginsu Knife™ or other kitchen miracle blades.
Also not exempt are hunting dogs (taxed?) nor are “toy guns [Ed. note: wait, guns aren’t toys?] and vessels or off road vehicles utilized as children’s toys.” Additionally, “golf carts, bikes, motorcycles, tractors, or motor vehicles which may be legally driven on highways,” aren’t eligible.
So load up people. Hunting season is right around the corner. Although, for the sake of peace, try to leave the Democrats alone.
2010 Second Amendment Weekend Sales Tax Holiday is Sept. 3rd, 4th, & 5th [LA Dept. of Rev. via Don’t Mess with Taxes]