FOX: Pennsylvania Tax Ad Is Orwellian Government Bullying!!!
18 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
- jetxvii
Wed May 05, 2010 8:16 pm » by jetxvii
Creepy Pennsylvania Tax Agency Ad Goes Big Brother
By Joseph Abrams
- FOXNews.com
A threatening TV commercial appearing in Pennsylvania has residents of the state spooked by its "Orwellian" overtones, and critics are calling it a government attempt to scare delinquent citizens into paying back taxes.
An image from the 30-second advertisement Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue is using to urge residents to pay back taxes.
A threatening TV commercial appearing in Pennsylvania has residents of the state spooked by its "Orwellian" overtones, and critics are calling it a government attempt to scare delinquent citizens into paying back taxes.
In the 30-second ad, ominous mechanical sounds whir in the background as a satellite camera zooms in through the clouds and locks onto an average Pennsylvania home. The narrator begins her cold and calculating message:
Your name is Tom ... You live just off of 5th Street ... Nice car, Tom — nice house. What's not so nice is you owe Pennsylvania $4,212 in back taxes. Listen Tom, we can make this easy. Pay online by June 18th and we'll skip your penalty and take half off your interest because Tom, we do know who you are.
The satellite snares its target — Tom's house — and the screen flashes another menacing line as the ad peters out:
FIND US BEFORE WE FIND YOU
Critics say the ad is a threatening campaign against Pennsylvanians — and one that will be a clear waste of taxpayer money if it doesn't work.
"Clearly the government is trying to intimidate and threaten people, which I don't think is something government should do," said Dan Mitchell, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute.
"These Pennsylvania ads are irritating, a waste of money and government bullying," he said.
Pennsylvania is also running print ads warning of the "imminent death of Mr. Nice Guy" once its 54-day amnesty period ends in mid-June. "But after June 18, well, things could get complicated," reads one ad.
Don't speak English? Don't think you're safe from the taxman: The state is running Spanish-language ads with the same threats in mind.
Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue defended the ad campaign, saying the spots tested well with focus groups who were incensed at tax delinquents.
"The ads are intentionally edgy," said Pennsylvania Department of Revenue spokeswoman Stephanie Weyant.
"Obviously with advertising we're trying to cut through the clutter and motivate tax delinquents ... to pay up in a very short time. Our budget in Pennsylvania depends on it."
Weyant told FoxNews.com that Pennsylvania is suffering a $1.1 billion budget deficit, and she said tax delinquency further deprives the state of millions each year, even as the majority of Pennsylvanians are unfairly forced to cover the burden for tax dodgers.
"Ninety-seven percent of Pennsylvanians pay their taxes," she said. "This advertising campaign is targeted toward the 3 percent who avoided the department's efforts to collect back taxes from them."
Under the terms of the amnesty, Pennsylvanians who owe back taxes have from March 26 until June 18 to pay what they owe, avoiding fines that are generally levied and paying only half the interest they owe. If they miss the cutoff date, an additional 5 percent fine is levied against them going forward. Most of the money covered by the amnesty comes from unpaid corporation, income, sales and inheritance taxes, according to the state.
Whatever the criticisms of the ads' tone, Weyant said they've already been a success, drawing in 14,000 applications from delinquents and $16 million in back taxes — a first step toward the $190 million the state hopes to raise.
Tax amnesties have become popular tools among states facing budget crises, but none have taken so harsh or threatening a tone in their public pushes to collect tax dollars.
Brushfire, a New Jersey-based ad agency that created spots for the Garden State's wildly successful 2009 amnesty campaign, said they steered clear of open threats — and it worked.
"The idea was to abandon the traditional approach of threats and scare tactics and instead demonstrate that Tax Amnesty was here to help taxpayers catch up on their debt so they could move on," said John Leonardi, chairman of Brushfire, Inc. "Rather than put forth a punitive message, we wanted to answer the 'what's in it for me' question in a positive way. We wanted to show how Tax Amnesty would help, not punish the taxpayer."
New Jersey's tax amnesty netted nearly $750 million for the state — when lawmakers had originally expected to pull in only $200 million. Other states have recently conducted similar amnesties, including Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, New York, Oregon and Virginia.
Oregon's ad campaign showed clear sympathy for delinquents who have painted themselves into a corner by not paying taxes. Louisiana is touting their campaign as an upbeat "Window of Opportunity" in its amnesty ads, though just 300 people have viewed the spot online. Even fewer have seen the Oregon ads.
The controversial New Jersey ad has already been viewed more than 180,000 times.
"Good bad or indifferent, people are talking about the advertisement," Weyant told FoxNews.com.
The technology featured in the ad is widely available online and hardly novel, said Weyant, an idea with which some critics concurred.
"It's not as if there is any information that the government doesn't already have that they're going to get by looking at Google Earth," said Mitchell, of the CATO Institute.
"The government theoretically already has your address from last year's tax return."
But Pennsylvania isn't finished with its tax delinquents, and it is hoping to turn the heat a little higher. The Department of Revenue already publishes a list of the state's top 200 delinquents, a practice it says it picked up from other states in 2006 to great effect. The list currently includes only incorporated businesses, but will soon be expanded to include individuals as well in an effort to shame them into paying.
"It works," said Weyant, who told FoxNews.com that over $100 million had been paid in back taxes since the lists were first published online.
But the Pennsylvania amnesty hasn't gone off without a hitch: its earliest days were marred by hour-long waits and busy signals at the department's amnesty call center, a malfunctioning e-mail system and alerts sent to people who owed no money at all, the Associated Press reported.
But Weyant remained optimistic.
"We had to triple the number of people that we had on our phones to keep up with the volume of calls," she said. "So far we've had a very good response."
By Joseph Abrams
- FOXNews.com
A threatening TV commercial appearing in Pennsylvania has residents of the state spooked by its "Orwellian" overtones, and critics are calling it a government attempt to scare delinquent citizens into paying back taxes.
An image from the 30-second advertisement Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue is using to urge residents to pay back taxes.
A threatening TV commercial appearing in Pennsylvania has residents of the state spooked by its "Orwellian" overtones, and critics are calling it a government attempt to scare delinquent citizens into paying back taxes.
In the 30-second ad, ominous mechanical sounds whir in the background as a satellite camera zooms in through the clouds and locks onto an average Pennsylvania home. The narrator begins her cold and calculating message:
Your name is Tom ... You live just off of 5th Street ... Nice car, Tom — nice house. What's not so nice is you owe Pennsylvania $4,212 in back taxes. Listen Tom, we can make this easy. Pay online by June 18th and we'll skip your penalty and take half off your interest because Tom, we do know who you are.
The satellite snares its target — Tom's house — and the screen flashes another menacing line as the ad peters out:
FIND US BEFORE WE FIND YOU
Critics say the ad is a threatening campaign against Pennsylvanians — and one that will be a clear waste of taxpayer money if it doesn't work.
"Clearly the government is trying to intimidate and threaten people, which I don't think is something government should do," said Dan Mitchell, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute.
"These Pennsylvania ads are irritating, a waste of money and government bullying," he said.
Pennsylvania is also running print ads warning of the "imminent death of Mr. Nice Guy" once its 54-day amnesty period ends in mid-June. "But after June 18, well, things could get complicated," reads one ad.
Don't speak English? Don't think you're safe from the taxman: The state is running Spanish-language ads with the same threats in mind.
Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue defended the ad campaign, saying the spots tested well with focus groups who were incensed at tax delinquents.
"The ads are intentionally edgy," said Pennsylvania Department of Revenue spokeswoman Stephanie Weyant.
"Obviously with advertising we're trying to cut through the clutter and motivate tax delinquents ... to pay up in a very short time. Our budget in Pennsylvania depends on it."
Weyant told FoxNews.com that Pennsylvania is suffering a $1.1 billion budget deficit, and she said tax delinquency further deprives the state of millions each year, even as the majority of Pennsylvanians are unfairly forced to cover the burden for tax dodgers.
"Ninety-seven percent of Pennsylvanians pay their taxes," she said. "This advertising campaign is targeted toward the 3 percent who avoided the department's efforts to collect back taxes from them."
Under the terms of the amnesty, Pennsylvanians who owe back taxes have from March 26 until June 18 to pay what they owe, avoiding fines that are generally levied and paying only half the interest they owe. If they miss the cutoff date, an additional 5 percent fine is levied against them going forward. Most of the money covered by the amnesty comes from unpaid corporation, income, sales and inheritance taxes, according to the state.
Whatever the criticisms of the ads' tone, Weyant said they've already been a success, drawing in 14,000 applications from delinquents and $16 million in back taxes — a first step toward the $190 million the state hopes to raise.
Tax amnesties have become popular tools among states facing budget crises, but none have taken so harsh or threatening a tone in their public pushes to collect tax dollars.
Brushfire, a New Jersey-based ad agency that created spots for the Garden State's wildly successful 2009 amnesty campaign, said they steered clear of open threats — and it worked.
"The idea was to abandon the traditional approach of threats and scare tactics and instead demonstrate that Tax Amnesty was here to help taxpayers catch up on their debt so they could move on," said John Leonardi, chairman of Brushfire, Inc. "Rather than put forth a punitive message, we wanted to answer the 'what's in it for me' question in a positive way. We wanted to show how Tax Amnesty would help, not punish the taxpayer."
New Jersey's tax amnesty netted nearly $750 million for the state — when lawmakers had originally expected to pull in only $200 million. Other states have recently conducted similar amnesties, including Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, New York, Oregon and Virginia.
Oregon's ad campaign showed clear sympathy for delinquents who have painted themselves into a corner by not paying taxes. Louisiana is touting their campaign as an upbeat "Window of Opportunity" in its amnesty ads, though just 300 people have viewed the spot online. Even fewer have seen the Oregon ads.
The controversial New Jersey ad has already been viewed more than 180,000 times.
"Good bad or indifferent, people are talking about the advertisement," Weyant told FoxNews.com.
The technology featured in the ad is widely available online and hardly novel, said Weyant, an idea with which some critics concurred.
"It's not as if there is any information that the government doesn't already have that they're going to get by looking at Google Earth," said Mitchell, of the CATO Institute.
"The government theoretically already has your address from last year's tax return."
But Pennsylvania isn't finished with its tax delinquents, and it is hoping to turn the heat a little higher. The Department of Revenue already publishes a list of the state's top 200 delinquents, a practice it says it picked up from other states in 2006 to great effect. The list currently includes only incorporated businesses, but will soon be expanded to include individuals as well in an effort to shame them into paying.
"It works," said Weyant, who told FoxNews.com that over $100 million had been paid in back taxes since the lists were first published online.
But the Pennsylvania amnesty hasn't gone off without a hitch: its earliest days were marred by hour-long waits and busy signals at the department's amnesty call center, a malfunctioning e-mail system and alerts sent to people who owed no money at all, the Associated Press reported.
But Weyant remained optimistic.
"We had to triple the number of people that we had on our phones to keep up with the volume of calls," she said. "So far we've had a very good response."
Wed May 05, 2010 8:27 pm » by nm156
Ya and they also take money out of your first check every year just for the priviledge of working in PA. These government fucks don't seem to get it do they. Did they not see what happend to the IRS. People can not find a job so they can not afford to pay taxes. Wake up PA, and tell these greedy fucks to go fuck themselves. 
Pardon my french, but this really pisses me off, and I live in NY!
Pardon my french, but this really pisses me off, and I live in NY!Anything of interest always comes at ones expense.
- jetxvii
Wed May 05, 2010 8:33 pm » by jetxvii
nm156 wrote:Ya and they also take money out of your first check every year just for the priviledge of working in PA. These government fucks don't seem to get it do they. Did they not see what happend to the IRS. People can not find a job so they can not afford to pay taxes. Wake up PA, and tell these greedy fucks to go fuck themselves.
Trust me it pisses me off as well, I am one of those people that knows the boundaries of the government and when I see something that is far beyond the realm of what they should be doing it really upsets me as well..
"find us or we will find you"
Sounds more like a threat than a "Voluntary service" that is what it should be. The federal tax is fucking bullshit and if every single American knew they didn't have to pay taxes you could guarantee they wouldn't get their taxes. they could send all they wanted and families and neighbors would finally stick up for one another in a common cause..
At any rate, this advertisement should show more than just that the IRS wants your taxes, it also shows that they are going to go to any lengths to get that money even if that means another patriot attack like Patriot Jo Stack did to get the message across that people DO NOT WANT TO PAY YOUR CRIMINAL MONEY!!!!
TO ANY IRS OUT THERE
....................../´¯/)
....................,/¯../
.................../..../
............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸
........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\
........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
.........\.................'...../
..........''...\.......... _.·´
............\..............(
..............\.............\...
Wed May 05, 2010 8:37 pm » by Aquarius
I had the California Franchise Tax Board take substantial money from my checking account without any permission or even an indication. I contacted BOA (useless fucks they are, have since closed my account), they directed me to Citi Bank who informed me that CFTB were the recipients of the money. When I contacted them they wanted all my info again through automated service, as if they didn't have it already.
However I claimed it as fraud, got my money back. But how can a legitimate government agency just take what they want when they want it. I'll probably get badly stung in next years tax returns as a result of getting my money back. It'll be my last year in the US, I might just flip them the bird and leave.
However I claimed it as fraud, got my money back. But how can a legitimate government agency just take what they want when they want it. I'll probably get badly stung in next years tax returns as a result of getting my money back. It'll be my last year in the US, I might just flip them the bird and leave.
God is a comedian, playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh
- Clockwerkspec1
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 9:24 pm
Wed May 05, 2010 9:28 pm » by Clockwerkspec1
I just saw a billboard down town colorado springs bout a week ago the, the billboard read "Freedom is knowing what loan you qualify for" it made me disgusted.. i just thought i might share that. 
- jetxvii
Wed May 05, 2010 9:32 pm » by jetxvii
clockwerkspec1 wrote:I just saw a billboard down town colorado springs bout a week ago the, the billboard read "Freedom is knowing what loan you qualify for" it made me disgusted.. i just thought i might share that.
Thanks for sharing that, and yeah that is pretty ridiculous and sickening..welcome to DTV by the way I hope you decide to stay.
@ aquarius don't leave the country we need help we need everyone we can get that is on the same page for restoring things back to how they should be, I know we all live seperately from each other but we have to make an effort to stand together with each other even if seems like you are the only one standing.
Wed May 05, 2010 9:52 pm » by Aquarius
Thanks, but I have a plan coming together that requires I move on, always has. Doesn't matter though, the world is a small place these days, we can interact with anyone at the touch of a button. I'm bringing the fight to Europe.
God is a comedian, playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh
- Quebeccanada
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:42 am
Wed May 05, 2010 9:56 pm » by Quebeccanada
I recently made my Tax report,and Canadian government announced me they haven't stole enough of my money on every single paycheck I get from my two jobs
(two job to be able to have a little bit of luxury like internet)
Now I have to pay them 140$ which doesn't seems like a lot,but they still are stealing away about 30% of my income plus 14 % more on almost everything I have to buy
And now I have to give them more money???
I would like to be a freeman
(two job to be able to have a little bit of luxury like internet)
Now I have to pay them 140$ which doesn't seems like a lot,but they still are stealing away about 30% of my income plus 14 % more on almost everything I have to buy
And now I have to give them more money???
I would like to be a freeman
Wed May 05, 2010 10:03 pm » by Aquarius
How could we all do our bit to make sure we're getting our money's worth. I don't want to pay for a soldier to go kill innocents. I don't want to pay for a senator's private helicopter trips to the golf course. What can we do?
God is a comedian, playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh
- jetxvii
Wed May 05, 2010 11:12 pm » by jetxvii
aquarius wrote:How could we all do our bit to make sure we're getting our money's worth. I don't want to pay for a soldier to go kill innocents. I don't want to pay for a senator's private helicopter trips to the golf course. What can we do?
Get active and involved, I know it sounds cliche but the more they know we are pissed with them the more they are going to back the fuck off. if we continue to write to our elected leaders and let them know we are watching them and inquiring how these process's work and also Schooling them if they are that ignorant then perhaps we can breathe a little sigh of relief..
otherwise if they don't listen I think I know what comes next and I am not going to say it, but it rhymes with "constitution"
18 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
-
- Related topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- Orwellian DoubleThink: Rights are Privileges
by blaborde1488 » Mon Sep 27, 2010 1:44 pm - 0 Replies
- 69 Views
- Last post by blaborde1488
Mon Sep 27, 2010 1:44 pm
- Orwellian DoubleThink: Rights are Privileges
-
- Google's Orwellian Initiatives Thread.
by intelmindunity » Thu May 26, 2011 4:00 am - 2 Replies
- 248 Views
- Last post by bonsueley
Thu May 26, 2011 5:54 am
- Google's Orwellian Initiatives Thread.
-
- Nationwide Orwellian Facial Profiling Technology Coming Soon
by blaborde1488 » Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:37 pm - 0 Replies
- 64 Views
- Last post by blaborde1488
Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:37 pm
- Nationwide Orwellian Facial Profiling Technology Coming Soon
-
- Public schoolgirl 15 death after facebook bullying
by drjones » Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:00 am - 8 Replies
- 586 Views
- Last post by johnsmith
Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:41 pm
- Public schoolgirl 15 death after facebook bullying
-
- New anti-bullying trend: Teaching victims to fight back
1, 2by demobe » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:36 am - 15 Replies
- 541 Views
- Last post by theduck
Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:37 pm
- New anti-bullying trend: Teaching victims to fight back