Maybe It Should Be 1040-PCCirculating among Southern...
Maybe It Should Be 1040-PC
Circulating among Southern California accountants this tax season is the “Clinton Extended Tax Form,” designed for “People With Some Change.”
The satirical form, called 1040-BS, is said to have originated with some of the Republican congressional staff and is clearly aimed to entertain the politically incorrect. Among the features:
* The return label must be environmentally safe, “dolphin-friendly,” “CFC-free” and recycled (or you may use nontoxic ink).
* Charitable contributions are deductible only when given to politically correct groups such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Children’s Defense Fund and Greenpeace.
* There is a spot to check off whether you want First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton named to the Supreme Court, with “Yes” as the only choice.
* Income tax classifications include The Rich (annual income of more than $20,000), Middle Class (5,500 to $19,999) the Poor (1 cent to $5,499) and Member of Congress (tax-exempt, although the lobbyist picking up the tab must be named).
Are These Guys Twins?
Actor James Garner is getting a lot of attention for playing F. Ross Johnson, the gluttonous former RJR Nabisco chief, in HBO’s “Barbarians at the Gate,” which began airing this weekend.
It wasn’t that long ago that Garner struck it rich doing Polaroid commercials. Based on the makeup job he got for “Barbarians,” he may have yet another career in ads.
As these pictures show, Garner as Johnson can always double for another advertising pitchman, Charles Schwab. He’s the San Francisco-based discount brokerage king who for years has starred in his own ads.
Camera-Shy No Longer?
Former junk bond financier Michael Milken, who has shunned television interviews before, may be close to sitting down for his first on-camera grilling.
Since leaving prison in January after serving 22 months in prison for securities fraud and other violations, Milken, who is being treated for prostate cancer, has been deluged with requests to tell his story before the cameras.
ABC’s Barbara Walters, an acquaintance of Milken’s, is believed to have the inside track, although people close to Milken say it’s not a done deal yet.
Others are still trying, including “Today” show producers, who are calling Milken’s associates daily.
Briefly . . .
How about “The founder, in prison”?: An ad for The Phoenician, the posh hotel near Phoenix built by convicted S&L; kingpin Charles Keating, reads: “The impetus was simple. The execution, inspired”. . . . How to describe a $5-billion loss in 25 words or less: IBM Chairman John F. Akers in his letter to stockholders says, “About 1992, we are mindful of one fact above all: IBM’s financial performance was not acceptable to us or to our stockholders”. . . . Did a phone booth come with it?: A Superman costume worn by actor Christopher Reeve was auctioned last week for $18,700.
