September 22, 2004
The title of this post might be more 19th than 21st century. Western climate-controlled interiors admit very few flies (though there are still a few in Central Texas in May). And there is less use of repeated-application home remedies, "ointment," when we have a skin complaint. As a metaphor, it could be dated.
The phenomenon, however, of Unintended Consequences, is not likely to disappear in a complex world. Good&Happy is regularly bemused when unintended consequences befuddle the wake of simple and often very good intentions. Especially immediate consequences that could have been foreseen within 15 seconds of asking "what else?"
According to another old saw, very little is more certain than taxes. Seems that Oprah's gift of a $28,500 new Pontiac G6 to everyone in her first 19th-season studio audience will create a tax liability for each lucky new owner--up to $7,000 per "taxable event." (Courtesy of the Corner)
What happens in these huge, rich organizations? Don't they have a Yellow Pages? Among all Ophrah's Empowered Female Friends, isn't there a single tax lawyer? Or even law student? Or an accountant?
It's a lament I've had and heard for decades of law practice: Why didn't they ask earlier in the process, and solve the problem in advance? Or do it another way?
That -- clear rather than muddled outcomes -- would make me happy.
UPDATE--The Wall Street Journal (web site requires subscription), under the title "The Gift That Never Stops Taking," takes note of associated labyrinthine complexity:
...the effect of the added income on winners who are, or were, eligible for the earned income tax credit, child tax or education credits, or even welfare payments
Further complication is likely. Selling the car, or waiting to take delivery, don't help a bit.
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