BulldogTom

I can't wait for the debate when whoever the Republican candidate stands up and throws the famous "3 AM phone call" line at her. It will go something like this: "Mrs. Clinton famously charged that Barry Obama did not have the experience to handle a situation when the phone rings at 3 AM. However, we know know that when Mrs. Clinton got a 3AM phone call regarding Bengazi, she went back to bed and 5 Americans died." There is no way Billery gets past that. She made the wrong call. At a minimum she should have pushed it up to the President. If she did, and is protecting BO, that is even worse. I used to think Hillary would at least be a capable President, even if I don't like her policies. I could never support someone who will not marshall the resources of the US military to the aid of our citizens in service to our country overseas. The dems better find a new standard bearer for their 2016 bid. Ain't gonna happen for Billery. Besides, with the national debt the way it is, we would not be able to afford the cigar bill for the first Husband. Tom Hollister, CA

Do you remember in the first gulf war the spokesman for the Iraqi government? Tanks were outside of Bagdad and the Coalition was about to decimate the entire military. We were about to take the Bagdad airport. This guy stands up and says there is no invasion, that the Iraqi military were beating back the invasion in the desert, and victory for the Iraqi's was certain. Bagdad fell about 12 hours later. Jay Carney reminds me of that guy. Tom Hollister, CA

Apparently the Obama administration, in an attempt to find the leak in the Justice Department, secretly tapped the phones of the Associated Press offices in serveral cities for 2 months. The AP is hopping mad. The issue stems from a report the AP did on a foiled terrorist plot. The AP source revealed top secret information and the Justice Department wanted to know who leaked the information. When the AP would not give its source, they tapped the phones. Our basic constitutional rights are under attack. Big Brother needs to be dialed in. Maybe if the press sees that they are now targets of this out of control government, they will start reporting all the crap that big brother is doing and push the pendulum back the other way. Tom Hollister, CA

Sure they do. They are not lazy, and we are. They work hard, we take handouts. They understand if you don't do well in school they will kick you out. We understand that if teachers don't apply themselves and we don't have to either, you will still graduate. They understand that not having an education means you will starve in the street. We understand that government will hand out a better standard of living than 80% of the world if we just stand in line. And they don't have teachers unions. I think Greece is the only country in the world more spoiled than we are. Tom Hollister, CA

They don't have liberal teachers unions that suck up all the public funding with no accountability. Tom Hollister, CA

Ken, Weren't you part of the beta testing or group input for ATX last year? Or was it someone else on the board? Have you ever beta tested for them? Tom Hollister, CA

I believe what the states (especially my screwed up beautiful money hungry totalitarian state of CA) want is the ability to get more businesses under their tax umbrella. If you are paying sales tax in a state, they can now audit your books (ever been through a CA sales tax audit? there is no such thing as a no-change audit here - they always get a payment when they come to audit). In addition, by paying the sales tax, you are admitting that you are doing business in the state. That opens you up to additional regulations. And when they audit your books, and they find out who is purchasing those items, they can use that data to go audit the purchaser. It is a money grab on the part of the states. It won't stop at sales tax. Tom Hollister, CA

Come on Jainen. You can't believe that. They targeted tea party applications in the middle of an election year. It stopped when the election was over. Denials went on all the way until the truth came out. Then they issue an apology and say it was low level line workers. No democratic or liberal leaning organizations got the same "extra examination". This thing stinks of politics. If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it is most likely a duck. Tom Hollister, CA

I am shocked that they are admiting it. The denials that it went all the way to the top of the IRS smells. On the other hand, I think these "non-profits" are mostly political and not social welfare, regardless of the political point of view they have. So I can see why the IRS is checking them out closely. In a way, I would like to see all politics banned from any non-profit organization. Then the IRS could deny their status if they show any political activity. However, targeting one political group is totally wrong and heads should roll for this. But they won't. Tom Hollister, CA

There is a very good artilce on MSN today about the IRS apologizing for targeting Tea Party exempt organizations. They admit they did it, but deny anyone knew about it. I don't post links, but you can go to the website and see it on the money page. Tom Hollister, CA

A national sales tax is a stupid idea. The republic of ca is never going to cede their sales tax to Washington. It would be just another tax. Only someone with a leaning towards Rachel Maddow would really think that is a good idea. Tom Hollister, CA

We could do a partnership you know. The standard ATX license goes for three installs. We could have Lodi, Hollister, and Modesto. Tom Hollister, CA

You better watch out KC. I will take you up on that offer. But you better talk to my wife. I am a tough boss. Tom Hollister, CA

How much did you pay in productivity licenses. Microsoft office pro? That is always the one I choke on. Every hardware upgrade gets a microsoft license. Tom Hollister, CA

Sure it is. Then you need to by the productivity software (microsoft office, adobe acrobat, and all the other things you use that won't go on the new o/s). Sorry Jack, I normally don't contradict you on most things, but hardware and productivity software are not as cheap as you are making it out for a small company like mine. Tom Hollister, CA

Sure, cost. I run a small business and changing computers ever 2-3 years would hurt my bottom line. I got 6 seasons out of my last setup. I hope to get the same out of this one. I would love to get new hardware every year. It just ain't in the budget. Tom Hollister, CA

I wouldn't call it a peculiarity, I would call it something different....but KC would have to kick me off the board. Tom Hollister, CA

The point is...they have fined me without any proof. They said "we don't want to ask you who you are and why you can practice, we are sending you a bill for $2500 and daring you not to bow down to us". I have every right to practice in this state. And if they don't think so, they should ask me. Not send me a bill. Who the FRIK are these dirty bastards, treating us like this is some frikkin totalitarian government. I hate CA government. Tom Hollister, CA

Received a letter today from our friendly Republic. Mr. Bulldogtom, you owe us $2,500 because we think you are filing taxes and we don't have a record of you being a CTEC registered preparer. If of course, you can prove that we are wrong, we will abate the penalty. Lets see, I have power of attorney on file with them for several of my clients. I have a PTIN number. I have been filing taxes for 15 years in this state. And at the bottom of every return I prepare, it has my name followed by an EA and my federal tax ID number. What a bunch of crap. Those lousy lazy bastards are just looking to steal. I love the way I am guilty because they say so, and must prove I am not or they will take my property. Those bastards never read, and if they did, they never understood the constitution. Tom Hollister, CA

If DOMA is struck down, and the IRS says same sex married gets treated exactly like other married couples, then wouldn't it follow that RDP would go away in CA? I know that some older couples have used RDP status for tax and other reasons, but I would think that RDP would simply vanish in CA and your choice is to get married or file single. Do you think RDP status would survive in CA if DOMA is struck down? Tom Hollister, CA

That is a very interesting comment. I am assuming (always dangerous) that if the court overturns DOMA, you will not have the complications that your same-sex clients have now? Are you contemplating the IRS will automatically apply married rules to your RDP clients? And do you think that will take place by the time tax season rolls around. I have listened to your posts about your clients, and I have marveled at how you have created a niche for yourself. Final question. Will you have enough retention of your clients if your specialty goes by the wayside? If this is too personal, just say so. I have always wanted to talk to you about your practice, but did not want to do it so much in public, unless you want to. Tom Hollister, CA

Considering she ended up in jail, I thought you did represent her. Tom Hollister, CA

I went to a Drake seminar a couple years ago. Very well worth doing. I learned that I liked ATX input better. But it was very informative and I really liked the company, sales people, and their presentation. I just wasn't ready to pull the trigger. I would very much recommend that anyone who is looking at Drake attend their workshop. It is not a hard sell. It is very informative, and it is like getting the first two hours of training if you do decide to take it. Tom Hollister, CA

Ummm......yeah!

Looking at Dallas at the end of July. Hoping to meet up with Eli. I would have gone to San Diego (I love San Diego) but I have a state seminar that weekend. Probably staying at the Gaylord Texan. Tom Hollister, CA