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.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05 ... g-brother/
We Know Who You Are
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TheGodfather
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We Know Who You Are
Creepy Pennsylvania Tax Agency Ad Goes Big Brother
"I don't talk to Obama voters often. But when I do, I order large fries."
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OakRidgeStars
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Re: We Know Who You Are
I don't see the big newsflash here. The PA tax man didn't have any problems finding their mailbox, why would they have a problem locating their house?.
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TheGodfather
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Re: We Know Who You Are
I just don't think it's right for the government to use scare tactics to "encourage" citizens to pay their taxes...especially when everyone is struggling to survive in this bad economy.
"I don't talk to Obama voters often. But when I do, I order large fries."
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VBshooter
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Re: We Know Who You Are
Then don;t ever cross the IRS ,,,without fear tactics they would cease to exist.
"Not to worry, I got this !!! " "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here." Captain John Parker-
TheGodfather
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Re: We Know Who You Are
Receiving a letter that says "if you don't pay up, we'll freeze your bank account" is threatening enough to get anyone to pay. But having ads that sound like they're going to show up in the middle of the night and break your legs seems excessive to me...VBshooter wrote:Then don;t ever cross the IRS ,,,without fear tactics they would cease to exist.
"I don't talk to Obama voters often. But when I do, I order large fries."
Re: We Know Who You Are
I just take it as one of those "we're tough on crime" type of commercials. Kinda like the state police put out concerning drinking & driving. I agree that it was in bad taste, though.
Maybe one with McGruff the Crime Dog would be better...
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Parry