If raging skinhead plumber Sam Joe Wurzelbacher is what we're now considering an "average American," things are much worse than we thought.
In an interview with Diane Sawyer today, not only did Sam Joe admit to lying directly to Barack Obama, telling the Democratic nominee at an Ohio campaign stop that he makes $250,000 (he does not) and demanding to know why he should pay more taxes because of it, he then goes on this really crazy tear about how rich people work harder than poor people and shouldn't be punished for their intense labors. That, of course, is an opinion only crazy morons have. And it's especially nutty when it's the opinion of a moron who's not even rich! Oh, and check out that still of Sam Joe sizing up Obama as if he were about to throw down in some shitty roadhouse instead of listening to the answer of a question he asked. What a patriot!
A clip of this bald, angry, simplistic, tax-cheating, lying American hero Sam Joe, after the jump.
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YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK "Less than a week after the federal government had to bail out American International Group Inc. (AIG), the company sent executives on a $440,000 retreat to a posh California resort, lawmakers investigating the company's meltdown said Tuesday. The tab included $23,380 worth of spa treatments for AIG employees at the coastal St. Regis resort south of Los Angeles even as the company tapped into an $85 billion loan from the government it needed to stave off bankruptcy."
THE BAILOUT'S HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION "Hollywood would get a little unexpected boost from the proposed $700-billion bailout of the nation's financial system. The bill wending its way through Congress would provide tax breaks worth more than $470 million over the next decade for movie and TV producers that shoot in the U.S. That's not a lot of money, given that the average studio movie costs $106.6 million to make and market, but it could keep some low-budget productions — and jobs — from going offshore."
BACK TAXES DANGEROUS "Nicolas Cage, who plays a jaded hit man in his new movie opening Friday, Bangkok Dangerous, has agreed to pay substantial back taxes and penalties to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, which said that for years he improperly deducted personal expenses. In papers filed in U.S. Tax Court, Cage and his Los Angeles-headquartered Saturn Productions said they would pay $666,000, plus unspecified interest. Nearly one-fifth of the base amount, or $99,000, is an 'accuracy-related' penalty."
Celebrity photographer Anne Leibovitz, who's convinced everyone from John Lennon to Miley Cyrus to get naked for her camera, is allegedly as greedy as she is increasingly trite. To wit:
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Poor Verne Troyer. The actor and newest Hollywood sex tape star has been through the ringer lately thanks to his famewhoring ex-girlfriend, who has opened her mouth yet again. The rep for Ranae Shrider starts by insulting Mini Me's financial situation, saying he can't pay his taxes "because he is paying his lawyer hundreds of thousands of dollars to file ridiculous lawsuits." Also? Verne is "a small-minded, vindictive, heartbroken, desperate and trivial celebrity." Harsh, but coming from a small-minded, vindictive, heartbroken, desperate and trivial wannabe celebrity is almost laughable.
But the final punch came with this lovely statement: "Ms. Shrider would still like to thank Mr. Troyer for the 'lasting' gifts he has imparted her with." Uh, OK? What the hell does that mean?
STARVING ACTORS TO STARVE A LITTLE LESS "Moderate-income performers will likely benefit from a tax relief bill introduced in the Senate on Thursday. Bill will raise the current limit on adjusted gross income to allow deductions for work-related expenses. Currently, the U.S. tax code allows single performers to deduct business expenses only if they have an adjusted gross income below $16,000. The bill would raise that cap to $30,000."
New York's new tax breaks for film and television productions already have camera crews sprouting like Pinkberrys all over Manhattan, meaning this summer could be perfect for heckling actors until they punch us and we call our lawyer. (We're back, baby!)
Of course, as is always the case, one man's fortune is another man's shit luck. Much as we despise Hollywood types, it's terrible that they're finding it harder and harder to get work.
That's why we're publishing the full-page ad the recently fired production crew of Ugly Betty took out in tomorrow's Variety. We love New York and want her citizens to live well, but we're always in for some righteous Schwarzenegger bashing.
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NY BEATS LA YET AGAIN "ABC's 'Ugly Betty' is about to get a make-over that has nothing to do with Betty's bushy eyebrows or shiny braces. The production is planning to pack its designer bags and leave Los Angeles for the Big Apple, where the fictional Mode magazine where Betty works as an assistant to an emotionally needy editor is supposed to be based. Cast and crew members learned of the move at a meeting Monday … About two-thirds of the show's 150 crew members … are expected to lose their jobs. … Two weeks ago, New York's governor signed into law a bill that tripled the amount of the state's film tax credit. Feature films, television series, pilots, and TV movies and miniseries that complete at least 75% of their stage work at a qualified production facility are eligible for a 35% refundable tax credit."
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