George Carlin was a funny guy, and I’m sorry to see him go. But as an interesting side note he believed in paying his debts. He owed the IRS $3m, and worked to pay it off. Amazing. Here’s an article with his quote about it. It took him 18-20 years to pay it off and he did.
I can’t imagine many people would have the fortitude to pay off that much debt. But wow. Plus he had to shell for 10-220 phone companies to earn money to pay off his debt.
So long George. What a frigging journey!
3 responses so far ↓
1 cinzea // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I didn’t know he had an IRS debt. $3mill at 18 years to pay off is $166,666.66 a year. No wonder George was so cynical. George’s comment that “interest and penalties make a mountain out of a mole hill” spoke zillions of truths. His original tax debt was probably minimal but because of all the levies, it became millions. I’d be extremely bitter too.
Something also must have happened in his life that made him so cynical against God and religion.
I wonder if we will ever know.
George Carlin was brilliant. I shall miss his wit, humor and his uncanny ability to see through all the bullsh!t.
2 Livingalmostlarge // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Although he accepted it was his responsibility to have paid it in the first place and not everyone else’s fault he didn’t. I like that.
Actually it depends on how long you didn’t pay taxes. I have a friend who says it wasn’t that much if you paid it that year if you made a mistake figuring. It’s when you don’t pay up, then it starts to add up.
But whose at fault if you choose not to pay for 5 years?
3 chris // Jun 26, 2008 at 2:26 am
I took it that he wasn’t pointing a finger at the IRS. He took pains to say he was accountable.
Be interesting to see more folks take that kind of attitude.
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