Tim Geithner, Secretary of Treasury, Successfully Uses Steve Martin Defense

“You can be a millionaire and never pay taxes. You say, ‘Steve, how can I be a millionaire and never pay taxes?’ Two simple words. ‘I forgot.’ How many times do we let ourselves get into terrible situations because we don’t say, ‘I forgot’? Let’s say you’re on trial for armed robbery. You say to the judge, ‘I forgot armed robbery was illegal.’”

Steve Martin’s old, ridiculous routine has been proven to work. Tim Geithner failed to pay over $34,000 in taxes. When he was audited, he paid part of this amount. The rest of it was paid only after he was nominated. His explanation? “I forgot.”

Obama stands behind Geithner, saying he made a mistake and is embarrassed. Well, I guess so. He’s been nominated to head Treasury, and he hasn’t been paying his taxes to Treasury. The Senate Finance Committee approved his nomination, and he’ll be confirmed by the full Senate.

Far less has derailed the nominations of past cabinet nominees. Geithner’s getting a pass because he’s been hailed as an essential member of the team Obama needs to fix the economy, and Republicans don’t want to appear obstructionist this early.

Obama said his administration wouldn’t be tainted by even the appearance of impropriety, and the withdrawal of Bill Richardson’s nomination for Secretary of Commerce seemed to prove it. Now, it’s business as usual.

When employers put up with ethical lapses, there’s always a good reason. He’s a friend of the CEO. He’s indispensable. He made an honest mistake. Baloney!

So, if you get hauled before Treasury for not paying taxes, just say “I forgot.” And if they give you any trouble, use another Steve Martin line, “Well, excuuuuuuuuuse me!”

Note: Don’t say you’re holding your employees to high ethical standards unless you mean it.

1. 

   ACU Frank says:

   January 23, 2009 at 3:36 pm

   Maybe he played the banjo during his confirmation hearings. Everything is okay when you’re playing a banjo.

   (You weren’t the only kid who let Steve Martin put up permanent residency in the hidden recesses of his brain…)
2. 

   Cultural Offering says:

   January 23, 2009 at 5:04 pm

   Way too much is being done in the name of financial emergency. Situational ethics. Thanks for posting.
3. 

   E. says:

   January 24, 2009 at 10:54 am

   Well put John. Rather than “I forgot” it was probably “I won’t pay until they really make me.”

   How about a regular post called “Government BS?” E.
4. 

   John Phillips says:

   January 25, 2009 at 11:55 am

   Frank, CO, and E,

   Thanks for weighing in.

   I don’t think he played the banjo during the confirmation hearing, but knowing that you and I have common things in the hidden recesses of our brains is a bit scary.

   Situational ethics plus financial emergency also equals someting scary.

   Finally, a regular post on “Government BS” is sorta scary, because there’s so much of it that I wouldn’t have room or time to post anything else.

   John
5. 

   HR Jim says:

   January 27, 2009 at 5:24 pm

   I guess anyone without a birth certificate shouldn’t pick on others……?