Not to get all political, but it looks like that this bailout from the Senate has actually passed in the House, and one of the provisions included by the Senate was added to give tax breaks to those who really need it — NASCAR.
One [part of the bailout package] extends for two years a tax policy that expired in December 2007 classifying motorsports facilities as amusement parks and other entertainment complexes.
That classification allows tracks to write off their capital investments over a seven-year period. The motorsports industry feared that without a specific clarification in law, they would be required to depreciate their capital investment over 15 years or longer because of a recent Internal Revenue Service inquiry into the matter.
In English, that means that racetracks will be able to add value to their facilities, but not have to pay the additional tax on that value. It’s like buying your girlfriend breast implants, but not having to take her out to nicer restaurants to get yourself laid. Which couldn’t work out better if you spend your weekends watching cars drive in circles and complaining about tax breaks for the rich. Nice job, America.
[Charlotte Observer, via FanNation]

It’s simple you see; Tax breaks for the rich let them create jobs for us knuckle dragging goons whoes wages can then be taxed at 40% thereby stimulating the economy.
Yay?
It’s ok. I’m sure the tracks and their owners will pass their savings along to the Bufords, Billy Bobs, and Joe Twelve-Packs who inhabit their infields.
So can I write off the capital improvements in m dungeon or not? Re-enforcing the rack and the Vietnamese Spin-Fuck Chair is not as cheap as you might think.
So can I write off the capital improvements in my dungeon or not? Re-enforcing the rack and the Vietnamese Spin-Fuck Chair is not as cheap as you might think.
whoops. I got myself worked up there. Clean up on aisle 3 of my keyboard.
This country is a bucket of shit. At least we have a couple of “mavericks” ready to clean it up.
Does the bill include a provision allowing everyone who loses their homes after defaulting on their mortgages to squat in the NASCAR stadiums? Way to take care of America there, national leaders.
It took me almost two weeks to look into the facts and finally decide that this bailout wasn’t worth it. Today it passes. My brief awakening of political interest has been slapped in the face by the Washington machine. I now officially go back to not giving a shit anymore. Wake me up when I retire.
Wake me up when I retire.
Sorry, but your retirement has been revoked as part of the bailout deal. An executive with Lehmann needed gold doorknobs for the foyer bathroom in his sixth mansion.
Dammit!
Well, looks like the only way out is a massive heart attack, which vegas had at 2:1 over retirement anyway.
So let me get this straight…a white trash sport gets tax breaks allowing it to thrive? If I’m Gary Bettman, I’m writing a formal complaint to my local alderman