Consulting by RPM || Free Advice Blog

Clash of the Titans

I was bracing myself for a rebuttal from Bob Wenzel when I had some harsh words for his take on the consumption tax not affecting consumers at all (save in their role as producers), but not a peep. Then I realized it was because he was engaged in a multi-front war.

Wenzel was on the Peter Schiff show. As you may imagine, when two loci of such self-confidence are drawn close to each other, they repel with great force, much as two North ends of giant electromagnets.

Here’s Wenzel’s take on what happened:

Although it sounds like I stopped talking, Peter interrupted me three times during the first part of the interview. He just talked over me. The first time it happened I thought it was rude, but, hey, I have had worse things happen. I waited for him to finish and then continued with a point. He interrupted me again, this time I thought I was not letting him get away with it. I said, “Peter…Peter…Peter…Peter.” Trying to indicate that I did not give up the floor when he interrupted me. I was amazed that Peter didn’t respond, since I thought it would show how rude Peter was being. Especially, when I called out Peter’s name four times and gave him opportunity to stop between each time I called out his name. Now, I realize why he was unconcerned.

The third time he interrupted me, I simply continued talking. This went on for a full 15 to 20 seconds. I remember thinking to myself, “I can’t believe Peter is letting this crosstalk go on.” Again, now I understand why he was unconcerned.

Ah, but Mr. Schiff was like Scott Farkus who pushed little Ralphie too far by smacking him in the face with the snowball. Something snapped inside Wenzel, who then wrote on his blog:

Finally, one additional note. As I said on the show, since I am not running for office, I really don’t do much thinking about a middle game of what I would do about taxes, if I were President. Since Peter raised the question, I have thought more about it.

Peter’s father is in prison for tax evasion. One of the first things I would do as President is pardon Peter’s father and others in the same situation and then I would bring down taxes so low that tax evasion would not make sense for anyone to attempt, for either pecuniary reasons or on principle. I think it’s a better plan than Herman Cain’s.

Whoa! I think I’m going to drop this issue of debating tax structures. These guys aren’t to be trifled with. I’d be better off trying to edge in on the Russian mob’s crap games.