Senator Kerry = Benedict Arnold?

Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who in the past has denounced companies that seek to minimize their corporate tax bills, has apparently done some soul-searching and determined that he too doesn't wish to overpay his own taxes.

"Sen. John Kerry, who has repeatedly voted to raise taxes while in Congress, dodged a whopping six-figure state tax bill on his new multimillion-dollar yacht by mooring her in Newport, R.I.

Isabel - Kerry’s luxe, 76-foot New Zealand-built Friendship sloop with an Edwardian-style, glossy varnished teak interior, two VIP main cabins and a pilothouse fitted with a wet bar and cold wine storage - was designed by Rhode Island boat designer Ted Fontaine.

But instead of berthing the vessel in Nantucket, where the senator summers with the missus, Teresa Heinz, Isabel’s hailing port is listed as “Newport” on her stern.

Could the reason be that the Ocean State repealed its Boat Sales and Use Tax back in 1993, making the tiny state to the south a haven - like the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Nassau - for tax-skirting luxury yacht owners?"

Of course, no one should begrudge another person the opportunity to arrange his affairs in order to lawfully and legally minimize his own tax obligations.

However, Senator Kerry has a long history of publicly excoriating companies who try to do the same. His prior histrionics though were likely only for political gain, as his supporters and voters in Massachusetts expected him to act in that manner.

When it comes time to spend his own money however, Senator Kerry is just like the rest of us, probably more so than he'd care to admit.