Florida Democrats Get Theirs

First, it happened to PETA. Now, it's happening to the Democrats! Once again, from the Poetic Justice Department ....

The Democrats, who brought us confiscatory tax rates, tax collection quotas, and unjustified raids on taxpayer homes, are getting to experience the tender mercies of the monster they fed and tended for so many years! And, oh yeah! Social security taxes bit them on the backside for good measure!

Broke and without enough money in the bank to pay its bills after the end of the month, the Florida Democratic Party has now been slapped with a lien by the Internal Revenue Service for failing to pay payroll and Social Security taxes in 2003.

The state party's budget and finance committee voted Tuesday to ask for a new audit to account for more than $900,000 it believes somehow disappeared from the books during the 2003-2004 calendar years when the party was led by Scott Maddox, who is now seeking its nomination for governor.

Maddox and successor Karen Thurman, who became the party's new chairwoman just last month, did not immediately return phone messages asking for comment on the findings.

While the party owes roughly $200,000 in delinquent payroll and Social Security taxes, the lien was against the remaining $98,000 in their account on Friday, longtime Leon County committeeman Jon Ausman said.

And, as a reminder of what government finances are like when they're in charge....

Ausman, who is also a member of the party's budget and finance committee, said the party's 2003 year-end audit showed $609,032 cash on hand. He said it netted $586,986 in 2004 when it raised about $18 million.

"I don't know how you start out with $609,000 and raise a net of $586,000 and end up with $269,000," he said.

I don't know, either! Have a great time explaining that one to the IRS, bud!

-- CAV