Bill Sizemore - Oregon Republican Candidate for Governor Indicted on Tax Evasion Charges
Stupid is as stupid does in Oregon. Bill Sizemore, the Republican Candidate for Governor of the state has been charged with tax evasion for failing to file and pay taxes for three years.
People do some of the strangest things you can imagine. Tiger Woods is a perfect example. His “personal transgressions” have taken on a life of their own. Ignoring all the hoopla and will rumor mongering, one has to ask a simple question. How stupid could he be? He is TIGER WOODS! Did he really think nobody would find out he was having interactions with 3…6…12 or how ever many women? How stupid could you be?
Well, Bill Sizemore has been charged with a crime that raises the same question. He is a Republican running for Governor in Oregon. He is an anti-tax proponent, but apparently took his zeal to a new level. He is charged with failing to file tax returns and pay taxes in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Put another way, the prospective governor is charged with failing to file the very thing that would fund a government he would run! Why would you run for governor if you hadn't filed your taxes? Crazy!
Sizemore has argued that he did pay estimated taxes in 2006 and 2007, but didn’t file tax returns for the years in question. As for 2008, he says he hasn’t filed a tax return or paid taxes because he and his family are trying to figure out their tax liability. In regard to the investigation, he asserts that it is a political witch hunt and that he would not be facing charges if he wasn’t running for office.
I am not familiar with Oregon politics or Bill Sizemore. All indications are he is a rather odd bird. I can say, however, that there is merit regarding his claims about a political witch hunt. Most non-politicians are not charged with tax evasion when they don’t file their taxes for a few years. Instead, tax authorities start garnishing their wages and putting liens on their property. Going directly to a criminal indictment is very rare.
So, what can we learn from all of this? Well, the theme seems to be that politics is a dirty, nasty game whether you are in Washington, D.C., or just about anywhere!