Health & Fitness
Here's How A Talking Point Dies
Do you know who pays a lower tax rate than Warren Buffett's secretary? Everybody.
We were told that Warren Buffett's secretary pays a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett.
ABC reports that the secretary, Debbie Bosanek, pays a tax rate of 35.8 percent. If true, it means that Bosanek is making in excess of $200,000 a year--which doesn't make her a good representative of the working class.
After conservative pundits did the math, it was revealed that Bosanek makes $60,000. Megan McArdle then does some complex mental gymnastics trying to figure out HOW Bosanek pays less than Buffett. In summary, it's not possible UNLESS you are willing to compare apples to oranges.
Bosanek's salary also becomes a source of embarrassment for Buffett. He's willing to pay more taxes--when actually, he could do his part to end income inequity by increasing his secretary's salary. His net worth is estimated at 39-billion dollars.
And so a talking point fades from the national consciousness. Until VH-1 does another "I Love The 2000s" special.
In all seriousness, this again proves the worth of the Internet is disallowing the use of unchallenged spin to influence national debate.