State reviewing per diem payments to Palin

suzzz,

Can I ask your qualifications regarding the legal or ethical aspects of per diem allowances?

Here's mine.  I'm an Executive Recruiter.  I just placed a Site Manager TODAY.  His salary?  90k + a $90/day per diem.  If you do the math, you'll see his per diem, as a middle class guy who will be living within 10 minutes of the project he'll be managing is substanstially higher than the $17k the MSM is hammering Palin over (for a 600 mile commute.  State offices are located in Juneau) 

1)  Per diem's are not taxable income.  They are used for living expenses, travel expenses, etc.

2)  Show me one Governor of any state, large or small, that isn't required to show up at events with their family.

You say the per diem may be legal, but it's somehow "wrong".  Do you feel the same way about expense reimbursement or overtime?

I and my husband also get per diem from our jobs when we travel.  I also work from home from time to time. I can assure you, I have never received per diem for NOT getting in the car and going to my place of employment!  I don't care how you want to slice it she is ripping off her constituants...even, IF, it is legal.

Texanna,

What you get isn't a per diem.  A per diem, by definition is daily payment. You get expense reimbursement for travel and only when you travel. If you don't travel on a daily basis, it's not a per diem.  People who get a per diem are expected to live away from their normal residence and provide their own housing expenses.

In Sarah Palin's case, her normal residence is Wasilla.  The Governor's Mansion is in Juneau.  AK history shows that very few AK Governors have lived at the actual Governor's Mansion 600 miles from nowhere and have opted to exercise their legal right to the per diem.

Here is the literal definition of 'per diem'.  Please note number #2...and please stop trying to shoot the messenger.  If you have an issue with the definition of a per diem, take it up with the dictionary.

–noun

1.
by the day; for each day.

2.
a daily allowance, usually for living expenses while traveling in connection with one's work or being employed at a distance from one's home: a per diem for lawmakers while the legislature is in session.

3.
paid by the day.

Any business can pay their employees any per diem they choose for all I care but when it comes to government I am the employer and I don't want to pay it out to Palin. So there!

In Sarah Palin's case, her normal residence is Wasilla.  The Governor's Mansion is in Juneau.  AK history shows that very few AK Governors have lived at the actual Governor's Mansion 600 miles from nowhere and have opted to exercise their legal right to the per diem.

Actually, I found the following @ sled.alaska.edu.
The first governor to reside in the building was Walter Eli Clark and his family. They hosted the first public function in the residence, a New Year's Open House, on January 1, 1913.
The building was a 2 1/2-story 12,900-square-foot frame structure built over a full-size cellar. The first floor included a reception hall, drawing room, library, dining room, office, kitchen, two pantries, and a conservatory. The second floor contained four large bedrooms, a sewing room and three bathrooms. The third floor was designed as servant's quarters and had a large room that was to have served as a territorial museum, but it never did.
The entire exterior was completed in 1936 by plastering over the wood finish, painted white, giving the building very much the same appearance it has to this day, and which was the architect's original conception.
Major internal redesigning was executed in 1967-68 by Arthur Morgan Designers, Seattle, transforming the third floor into two guest suites and one large bedroom.
A major renovation of the Governor's mansion was undertaken in 1983. It included installation of new heating, electrical, plumbing and security systems; restoration of the interior design of the main and second floors to the original 1912 period, and refinishing the original wood floors.
Nine territorial governors, one secretary of Alaska (acting governor), and eleven elected governors (including Governor Hickel's two widely separated terms), have resided in the mansion.

www. virtualguidebooks . com / Alaska / SoutheasternAlaska / AlaskaCapital / AlaskaGovernors . html

Seems like a lot of home to upkeep and go to waste (at the taxpayers expense + per diem). 

Any business can pay their employees any per diem they choose for all I care but when it comes to government I am the employer and I don't want to pay it out to Palin. So there!

Did I read you right?  "So there"?  Do you have any idea how much that sounds like a tantrum?

Do you take issue with paying your State Legislators per diem as well?  Since they live long distances from where they work, nearly all of them get a per diem.  (shhh!  Even the liberal ones!!!  GASP!)

PAT N    I wish you knew half as much as you would like to make the rest of us believe you do. Until you have done business with every employer out there don't presume to know what every employer considers per diem.  Also, my husband is a federal employee and what he is paid when he TRAVELS ( not stay home or go to the office) is PER DIEM!  Please don't represent your limited experience as an "executive recruiter" as experience as an all knowing "per diem" expert!! 

Sounds like the only tantrum going on is in Pat's mind. Cool Off! Don't take it so hard.

Just sounds unethical.  Per diem is a "reimbursement for living expenses while traveling".  She was not traveling - just the opposite, she was avoiding travel (heard about the "where's Sarah" buttons  the state employees were wearing).  What incremental living expenses did she incur while staying in her own home?! Taxpayers should not have to pay her household expenses because she was unwilling to hoof-it to Juneau.

She has cost Alaska less than the previous governors did.

PAT N    I wish you knew half as much as you would like to make the rest of us believe you do. Until you have done business with every employer out there don't presume to know what every employer considers per diem.  Also, my husband is a federal employee and what he is paid when he TRAVELS ( not stay home or go to the office) is PER DIEM!  Please don't represent your limited experience as an "executive recruiter" as experience as an all knowing "per diem" expert!! 

Texanna,  One doesn't have to do business with 'every employer out there' to understand the rules and regs of per diems.  That's like saying I shouldn't assume what the EEOC regs are unless I've worked with 'every employer out there'.  If your residence is one place and your husband is expected serve in a Federal capacity, away from home for extended periods of time then he might get a per diem for the time at the work place, provided he is expected to supply his own housing and living expenses.

And by the way...I'm currently ranked the #1 Specialized Transportation Recruiter in the nation.  I've cleard over $238,000 on a straight commission basis to date.  I anticipate another 80k by year end.  I'm one of the "rich" that you hate so much.  And yes...I'm an expert in my field.  To make you even happier, the bulk of my income this year has come from the liberals pushing Alternative Energy.  I thank you for that.

So yes  My expertise in the laws, rules and regs governing per diems exceeds your own.  Live with it.  I'm sure there are topics you are more informed on than I.

Normally, I wouldn't mention this in a public forum, but your attempt to belittle and degrade with your 'limited experience' comment was baseless. 

My original attempt at conversation with you was direct, polite and mature.  You obviously prefer slander, immaturity and jabs.

I would think that the cost of traveling should have gone down with axes to all those great roads she has been building

Just sounds unethical.  Per diem is a "reimbursement for living expenses while traveling".  She was not traveling - just the opposite, she was avoiding travel

K Gallagher,

1st off...I want to say thanks for expressing your point of view in a logical way.

And you DO make an interesting point that's at the heart of this issue. 

One view is that she wasn't traveling because she was at her normal residence and not in Juneau.

The other point of view is that she was traveling because the 'official' residence of the Gov. is the Governor's Mansion and she was paying her own living expenses (from her per diem) at the residence in Wasilla while conducting official business.

I personally believe that the second definition more closely fits with the definition of per diem.

It's really no different that your local State Legislator.  I don't know what stae you live in, but think of a city a long way from the capitol.  The Legislator from that area has to travel to the capitol when the Legislature is in session.  If he is expected to cover his own living expenses, he gets a per diem.  This is common practice in all levels of government and with alot of people in Site or Project Management, Engineering, Aerospace and Defense, etc.

"Pat N",

It's very easy to claim you are "currently ranked the #1 Specialized Transportation Recruiter in the nation" without proof of said claim. Anyone can do that! Watch...

I am the top commentator and acknowledged #1 expert on the health condition I have.

See? I may very well be said expert...I do have plenty of expertise on it. But how do you know? Answer: you don't...and neither does anyone else, on my claims or yours.

Sounds to me like you're blowing a lot of hot air...

See? I may very well be said expert...I do have plenty of expertise on it. But how do you know? Answer: you don't...and neither does anyone else, on my claims or yours.

Sounds to me like you're blowing a lot of hot air...

1. 

MR

Patricia N

S

FAIRLAWN, OH

$432,194

2. 

MR

Pam

S

CHATTANOOGA, TN

$312,750

3. 

SC

Charles

S

CHICAGO-DOWNTOWN, IL / WorldBridge Partners

$237,900

4. 

MR

Dennis

S

GLENDORA, CA / The Everest Group

$218,450

From the MRI Worldwide most recent stats (09-15-08).  I deleted last names for obvious reasons.  There's enough info here that a person could put on their 'stalker hat'.  I'm assuming you're not that nuts, though.

Crap.  It posted wierd.  (Excel spreadsheet.)

 Per diem is paid when you work away from home. for cost of living. I don't know of a company that pays a per diem when you work from home. Being on call and being at home you don't get payed for. I don't care if it's 10.00 a day or 150.00 if you chose to work from home you should not be paid an extra allowance for it.

 When I work from home I get my standard salary. If I have to drive more than 1 hour or fly to a location where I stay overnight I get Per diem. I get travel exspences if it isn't overnight. For someone cutting out pork she doesn't seem to mind if it goes in her pocket by what ever loophole she used to get away with this one.

Per diem is paid when you work away from home. for cost of living.

Exactly.  And when your home is the Governor's Mansion, and you work 600 miles away, you get a per diem.  And  Palin isn't the first Ak Governor to get it

Not buying it. If she was at the office OK but she chose to stay home. You don't get cost of living for staying home. Doesn't matter how you try to spin it. Per diem comes into play when you are away from home. The guidelines that started per diem where made so that employees could eat and sleep when away from home on company time. It was not meant to be used for at home employment which is what she chose.

 In other words if she deserves it then so should every person that works from home. Let's start with the Medical Trans people that fill out bills for hospitals. The hospital doesn't have to be in the same state so lets pay them a per diem. What about the  people stuffing envelopes for lawyers? Most of them are doing so for companies out of state.

 I really am stunned that your buying into this. You seem to be smarter than that but your condoning theft by allowing a loophole the average person would be charged with embezzlement for. Getting a bonus is one thing but this isn't a bonus. Getting paid extra to stay home. You can't be buying into this. She chose to stay home instead of going to the office.

Not buying it. If she was at the office OK but she chose to stay home. You don't get cost of living for staying home.

Tony, You don't have to "buy it".  You only have to look at Alaska's per diem policy.  Palin was entitled to a $60 per diem.  That's actually pretty low.  Average per diem rates run between $70 -$95 in most states.

Are you suggesting it would have been better for taxpayers for her to make the trek to Juneau on a regular basis and bill the State for travel, meals, tips, etc?

No matter how you slice it, the fact remains that her predecessor spent (and billed the state for) $463,000 in travel expenses for 2006.  Palin was at $93,000 for 2007.

I'm saying that working from home does not entitle anyone for per diem. She could have stayed at the Governors mansion, brought here family with her, and then she would be entitled. Just because her predecessors where crooks using the same loophole we should look the other way and ignore the real reasons behind why per diem was established. Anyone else in corporate America would be charged with embezzlement. Are we to let them get away with it just because there elected? As far as I can tell that is the only reason why they haven't been charged with stealing from the tax payers that elected them. Should we change the law to accommodate the privileged few?

 I'm sorry but I've had enough. When we elect these people we put or trust in them. That trust is misplaced when they put themselves above the law. Getting payed extra to work from home when this is what she and those before her chose to do so is wrong. If we ignore this fact then anyone else caught doing the same thing should never be charged for stealing from the company. Let everybody that has an office move move to where ever they want and due the same.

I'm saying that working from home does not entitle anyone for per diem. She could have stayed at the Governors mansion, brought here family with her, and then she would be entitled.

Actually, according to AK's per diem reg...she wouldn't be entitled to it in Juneau since the state (her employer) would have been picking up her tab for housing.  She's picking up the tab for her own housing in Wasilla, so she's entitled to it.  Weird...I know.  And a little backwards from the norm because there are two houses involved here.  (one provided by the employer, one paid for by the Palins)

 I'm sorry but I've had enough. When we elect these people we put or trust in them.

I'm not saying I agree with the per diem rules and regs for Gov't officials.  Any of them.  Regardless of political affiliation.  There was a time...loooong ago...where public servants believed in the cause, rather than the pay for the position.  In many small towns, all across the country, it's still like that (I'm in a town of 4,500 and out County Supervisor maked $14,000)

All I'm trying to do here is educate people a little bit.  The posts that claim this is an IRS issue are false.  As are the claims that this is somehow illegal or that she's "screwing Alaskans".

The per diem law is what it is.  It's OK to disagree with it, but the people who claim it's somehow illegal are spreading disinformation.

Incidentally, here's an interesting article regarding the Palin's tax return:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14266.html

Her down home charm is used to hide remarks that are designed to hurt or mock people and that wink of hers is not amusing at all. I think she winks to let people know her real thought on the matter and that is "now you all really don't believe that one do ya"  Not funny at all.

Palin did inform McCain about her pregnant daughter... where do you come up with this stuff....   MoveOn.Org or someplace?

Palin did inform McCain about her pregnant daughter... where do you come up with this stuff....   MoveOn.Org or someplace?

What made me sick is when some from the extreme left were running around claiming that Trig wasn't Sarah's baby, but the result of an incestuous relationship between Todd and Bristol.  How low can you go?

RJ... who do you use.... H&R Block?  Its smart to use the best you can get.  You simply show a total disrespect for women with your silly comments.

Please don't start with the "we disrepect Sarah Palin"..... she has EARNED that one fair and square, and all by herself.

Palin as exhibiting self-destructive behavior... LOL.....  But actually, its true and more... she destroyed McCains candidacy immediately after she was chosen.

So,  this maverick   Washington "outsider " uses  a Washington  tax lawyer   ? 

LOL   What a stupid bimbo   !

Actually, no.  She used H&R Block.  Here's a link:  (and incidentally...your sexism is showing)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14266.html

Why don't you release your tax returns... let us see what your hiding.

Jim... Robbin isn't running for the 2nd most powerful position in the US. Palin is.

and if she wants to talk the talk of being a reformer and "maverick" ( I hate that association to a 70's western ) she needs to walk the walk.

Gee, you waste time on listening to that blonde dimwit? :-)

"The View"............I always look to them as a relible source of information.  Get serious!

I think Pj  was talking about Ms hasselback on the view not the view

It's called delusion and desperation.   McCain made a mistake by picking Palin as his running mate.  The Republicans know that now and if you are party loyal you are going to defend that no matter how wrong it is.  It's all they have left is loyalty.  It should tell all of you that she obviously does not know policy and procedures or maybe she just doesn't care.  Sounds more like the latter to me.

I am sooo with you!  I did e-mail the view today.  I am a daily watcher of the view and Elisabeth is becoming more obnoxious every day.  She takes any statement about the Republican party as a personal affront and seems incapable of any objective thinking.

I wish they would get rid of her or require her to take a course in critical thinking!

Princess Palismack and Princess Hasselsmack are of the same breed of Pit Bulls. SMCAK! They cover their weaknesses with SMACK ATTACKS. They operate on a emotional level which is the lowest level human beings operate on. They have not developed educated intelligence. But have like emotional people do, used their sexual appeal and shrewdness to advance them in this society.

No matter if it is Princess Pains taxes, troopergate, her relationship with the Alaskan Independance Party, she has portrayed herself as a perfect woman with no flaws. And if someone was to address her on these issues she takes defense like all psycopaths due.

But more importantly she goes around the country slandering a Harvard Law Graduate on things she has been told by other people within the last month. Slandering to the point of people saying "Kill Obama" that my friends is AN EVIL WOMAN.  She had no idea who Obama was until last month. She has no idea who McCain was until last month. She has no idea about what has been going on down here in BIG USA until last month because she has not educated herself and has not cared about what is going down here until she was selected to be McCains VP.

Any mother that would bring her kids to a speech with violence and malice of death is A VERY SAD AND DEMENTED MOTHER. This lady does not care about anything else except "SARAH" and Hasselsmack has the audacity to promote this kind a EVIL SLANDER she needs to go. We all have are right to free speech but when it gets to the point of killing that seems like threats which I think can have punishment.

Princess Palin is in for a big surprise and the laws of nature are always operating. She has put her kids in a very risky and dangerous situation. Because when things collaspe on her, her kids will have to pay for it. She has not though about them only "PRINCESS PALIN".

You socialists are mind numbing.  You can read the facts but you stumble right over them and condemn anyway.  I am not sure if it is pure ignorance or studied stupidity for Obama.

EVERYTHING the socialists have dug up about Palin is pure Bullsh*t.    Any more so and you would be scraping your shoes. Most have already been shot down.  This per diem thing was answered already by Kim.  Both Monegan and Wooten do NOT deny the facts as stated by Palin..  Doesn't answer it for you??  You're a solid socialist.  Wake up, sheeple, pay attention to the facts!!  It would be better to pay attention to the facts now than have them hammered against your head later.

I just bet you set your wife straight.... hahahahaha.... I really believe that.  Like she is not allowed to think for herself and make her own mind up. 

Nightfowl lets see Harvard education compared to a junior college education who has more facts and knowledge?

Nightfowl President of Harvard law department compared to Small State in nowhere news anchor who would be the more ignorant one?

Civil rights lawyer in Chicago that has made a great differnce in many lives or a Small town mayor turned Gov. that is associated with the Alaskan Independence Party and HATES america so much she wanted Alaska to be it's own country.

Harvard graduate wife Michele compared to Sarah Palin who did not know who John McCain was before he called her to be VP and she is a Gov.

Well if I do the math 1+1 = 2     1+0 =1   0+0=0   Pretty simple.

I got hope and faith in A Hardvard Law Graduate with a wife of the same caliber than a Princess from nowhere, who knew nothing about America until last month and did not even know who Obama was or what he did until someone told her.  And her husband wanna B FIRST DUDE is no comparison to Obama's wife Michele who also has a law degree.

Nightfowl go be a little more fowl like those people yelling obscenities in the stands when Palin speaks about things she does not understand or know. And get YOUR FACTS RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET FOWL1111

She is the employer!  That's like saying that my tax preparer filled out my taxes wrong when I did it myself.  As the governor, she is the CEO and the buck stops with her! 

She's not to be trusted.  That's all there is to it.  Submitting bogus per diems is the tip of the iceberg.

My take is if you live in one city and collect perdiem because you drive to another it is not taxable. But if you live in one city and stay home and do the work and charge per diem it is just pay. She may have a major tax law problem if she did not report it as such.

Btw McCain went in the tank again tonight get out the flowers.

My take is if you live in one city and collect perdiem because you drive to another it is not taxable. But if you live in one city and stay home and do the work and charge per diem it is just pay. She may have a major tax law problem if she did not report it as such.

You're partially right about per diem's.  And you've described Palin's situation perfectly.  Her 'workplace' is Juneau.  600 miles from the Anchorage area.  Using her homes resources for State business and travel/living in two different cities qualifies under per diem rules and regs. 

One thing that's important to point out is the fact that previous Gov's of AK, regardless of political party...have pushed to have the State offices moved to Anchorage.  There is one road in and out of Juneau.  My guess is that road could be fairly impassible in a state that has 8 months of winter. 

The people here who are stating this should be on her tax returns are misguided.  A per diem is not considered income and therefore, is not taxed.

What SHOULD outrage people here, are the politicians from both sides who contact Federal or State business from their laptops in their elaborate beach homes and claim it as a business deduction.

I am sorry... but Democrats are exempt from tax errors.  Charlie (oh my is that my house) Rangel is proof of that.

I am sorry... but Democrats are exempt from tax errors.  Charlie (oh my is that my house) Rangel is proof of that.

Jim, your comment literally made me laugh out loud.  Thanks for adding some humor!

Wow....wench, bimbo, nitwit, Barbie, bozo such class all of you democrats show......hmmm no comment's from you all on the office raided in Las Vegas with all kinds of false voter registration info but you all flock to the Per Diem topic.  Go Figure you are all frauds

ajfmmk,

Seriously?  WOW!  I didn't hear about the Las Vegas office.  What happened?  Lemme guess.  ACORN was involved.

And I agree.  The Dem's claim to have a problem with the so called 'rednecks' in the middle of the country and then they resort to name calling and uniformed caterwauling about per diems.

Go figure.

Let's not forget witchcraft.

This site is intended to discuss the article on the per diem expense.

I have to agree that Obama knows terrorists better than anyone... he is friends with a couple.

MAN STOP IF U NOT GOING HARD AT THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE OK. CITY BOMBERS U NEED TO STOP FRIENDS WITH TERRORIST LOL

THAT GUY WASN'T EVEN FOUND GUILTY OF ANYTHING

I agree.  She's not qualified. 

The Democratic Party and the press will use every resource at their disposal to prevent the public from learning the truth about Senator Obama.  The man is totally unfit to be President of the United States.

I thought it was genius at first, but now it's backfiring.  Who are we kidding?  Our canidate selections over the past 3 elections haven't exactly been ideal (on both sides).  I wasn't a huge Hillary supporter before, but now I kinda wish she were in this now...

I thought it was genius at first, but now it's backfiring.  Who are we kidding?  Our canidate selections over the past 3 elections haven't exactly been ideal (on both sides).

Moutyshack,

You said it.  I'm ticked at the Dems for not using their heads, thinking for themselves and questioning their candidate a little more.  We have no idea who the guy is.

And I'm ticked at my own party for the hypocrisy they are showing for suddenly throwing their support behind a guy they've attacked as a 'rogue' for the past decade or so.

But then again, finding a qualified candidate could be tough  Afterall, who is out there thats actually QUALIFIED and wants the job?

Just another case of LOOPHOLES for the rich...I'm sure she dosent think its wrong, These politicians just spend our taxes like they are printing the money....OH wait they ARE!!

Find me someone who hasnt put a personal meal on their expense account in their job or claimed some extra itemization on their own tax return....oh wait thats right Democrats dont have real jobs they look for handouts

Just another case of LOOPHOLES for the rich.

You've gotta be kidding me.  Has the class warfare mentality on the left really sunk to this level?

I placed a guy in a very middle class role about a month ago.  His residence is VA.  His work site for the next three years is IN.  He's expected to pay his own living expenses on $75k a year plus a $90 per diem.  This includes a roof over his head.

Wait until I tell him you think he's "taking advantage of a loophole for the rich". 

 Oh..and what's he doing for the next three years?  What the LIBERALS are pushing.  Alternative Energy.  He's managing a Wind Tower project.  How ungrateful can you people be toward your fellow, blue collar worker?  Your selfishness and self centeredness is truly a wart on society.

As far as Palin goes, her salary is $124,500 as Governor.  Exactly dead center for all Governor's in all 50 states.  Her commute is 600 miles.  Get real, will ya?

ajfmmk. I've never done either. You are a classless fool that thinks everyone behaves as badly as you.

Pat N: Please be so kind as to get real yourself. Quit skipping over the fact that Gov. Palin DOESN'T commute. When the Alaskan Legislature is in session, she stays in the Governor's Mansion. I read somewhere that that comes to about 90 days per year. She stayed at home AND collected the per diem the rest of the year. Therefore, the payment is taxable income. Now whether that amount can some how or other (ahem!) be offset by claiming "home office expenses" is another question.

Marcusbee:

From the Anchorage Daily News.  Please note the bold parts. I'm sorry you don't like it...but I don't make the rules.  FACT:  It's legal.  FACT:  Her Predecessor spent (and billed) $463,000.  Palin billed $93,000.  FACT:  If she were a Dem Governor or Legislator, you'd have no problem with this.

As with previous governors, the state pays for the first family's meals when the Palins are in Juneau.

In Palin's case, the state is also paying for at least some meals when she's staying in Wasilla. Like other state officials, she's entitled to $60 a day "per diem" for food and incidentals, such as tips, while traveling on state business. State rules say that if your job stations you in Juneau or Anchorage, but you live in another part of the state, you can still get the meal money when visiting your hometown, said Linda Perez, director of administrative services for the governor.

 The Palins split time between Juneau and the Valley, with the governor often working in Juneau during the legislative session and in Anchorage for much of the rest of the year.

The state considers Juneau to be the governor's home base. That creates a scenario where Palin is considered to be "traveling" while living in her own house.

 

No.  I don't think she is the only one that does this.  That's not the issue.  The issue is it wasn't reported.  Don't get it twisted.  It is what it is.  It should be obvious that Palin abuses her power.  I don't need an investigation to tell me that.  It's probably a way of life.

 I don't need an investigation to tell me that.  It's probably a way of life.

Hmmm...you sound so emphatic when you say I dont need an investigation, but then you follow it up with its PROBABLY which is a guess

Are you smarter than a fifth grader?  So Republican, your comprehension skills are extremely limited.  I gave you a chance and you got twisted again.  I give up.

Ginny,

It would be amusing if it weren't so pathetic.  Their transparent support of Obama is sad.  I honestly can't think of a single true 'journalist' out there anymore.  Someone who just reports the news without bias.

It scares me Ginny.  Most of the press has become a propaganda machine instead of reporting the facts about anything.  We can think the colleges and Universities that turned out these morons.

Right!!!! let's blame the press and the colleges and universities--I guess you went to the only one that is teaching the correct stuff!

If the state did not include it on her W-2.... she doesn't owe tax on it. 

The great OBAMA will lead us to the promise land.. he said so.... so it must be true.

Foolish.  Don't you realize what will happen?  You are just the type of person Obama is counting on.  If you really dig deep, you will find this economic issue all stems from Bill Clintons economic ideas that everyone should have a home. Even those who don't qualify. Hence-subprime crisis. Can America really afford more of this?...

All Hail the great Obama... he keeps his promises....  uh... he does doesn't he?

well, she sure was not keeping on eye on her daughter, bristol.

You're right she should have had an abortion, like a good democrat would.  Then no one would find out. 

Dear, dear Alex.  The Republicans are actually hanging themselves.  Palin was a poor choice for VP and you know it.

Miss T,

Please explain.  Palin is fine.  How curious that BARACK has chosen somene to run with him that has endorsed McCain from the get-go.  Biden has been at odds with Obama from the start, then suddenly changes his stance.  Sounds alot like John Kerry to me...

Check out Bill Clinton's while your at it.  How can Obama run for President with those young children at home?  How can he in good conscience spend all the time it will take to be President and neglect his children?

Chelsea Clinton attended Oxford thank you very much...and on her own MERITS like Barack and Michelle Obama. UNLIKE W or McCain who went great schools because of heir name...and shall we say...'brought up the rear' in the class rankings.

But If Bristol keeps trying she may make it in to DeVry or wherever Sarah Palin went.