"What is Mitt Romney hiding?" isn't the most damaging thing that can be said about his refusal to release his tax returns. Here's what is: Romney thinks the rules don't apply to him.
Americans don't resent wealth. They resent a rigged system. Ordinary people have to play by the rules, but the lesson of the financial meltdown is that plutocrats don't.
One of the rules of running for president is that you have to release your tax returns. It's not a law, but that doesn't mean it's not a rule. There's no law that a presidential candidate has to debate, either, but that's the way we do it in America.
Romney reeks of entitlement. He thinks it's up to him to decide whether his financial life should be transparent. It doesn't even occur to him that he owes this to voters -- that it's an obligation, not an option.
He may or may not be hiding something. But it almost doesn't matter whether he ultimately discloses his tax returns, because he's already disclosed his arrogance.
UPDATE: It's the You People, Stupid.
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Jonathan Weiler: Mitt Romney and the Politics of Envy
Edward D. Kleinbard: Mitt Romney's Marvelously Unburdened Income
 |
 |
|
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Votes (270 to win) |
332 | 206 |
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 65,899,660 | 60,932,152 |
| Percent | 51.1% | 47.2% |
| Democrats* | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Senate | 53 | 47 |
| Seats gained or lost | +2 | -2 |
| New Total | 55 | 45 |
| Democrats | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats won | 201 | 234 |
Unresponsive persons do not make good Presidents regardless of how smart they may be.
Presidents are supposed to represent the people, not be adverse to them. Not even yet designated by Convention, yet arrogance large enough to cause conflict in the American people, many of whom appear to resent his candidacy. This is not getting better, but worse, as time goes on.
He is RICH..and economically smart and prudent. That's change I can believe in. We didn't get either with Bush or Obama. Much ado about nothing. Obama is beating himself
the answer is no, these people would NOT be defending president obama. they would throw everything at him, including the kitchen sink for NOT releasing his tax returns. he would NOT be considered patriotic, but unpatriotic! romney and others in the 1% feel the rules do not apply to them. and why should they? the 1% make the rules to benefit THEM and to penalize US! that is why the OWS has sprung up. that is why arab spring spread across the globe. the 99% are tired of the 1% acting as if they do not matter. we do matter. and we have had ENOUGH of the 1% stacking the cards against us! i predict that president obama will get a 2nd term. romney's refusal to release his tax returns is his death kneel. watch what happens at the repub convention in tampa. romney may not even get the nomination. he does not deserve it. the president needs to keep the pressure on him. romney does not want his tax returns released because it will be revealed he paid ZERO federal taxes! that is the whole point of having offshore accounts.
VIVA la 1%....Achievers. not whiners.
Me person too.
From: Human Resources Department
Re: Tax Disclosure
Dear Mr. Romney:
Be advised that thorough financial disclosure is a precondition for
employment in the position that you seek. We will also require a
medical examination, a drug test, and at least two references;
specifically from the State of Massachusetts and from Bain Capital. We
know that you worked there, and we need to know what you did there.
Please respond soonest. Compliance is not optional.
Signed,
Human Resources Department
Many years ago I knew a couple who were truly wealthy - they could have purchased most of Manhattan with pocket change but unless one was part of their "inner circle of friends" one would never know the extent of their wealth. Another of my friends came into some money (not in the former's league") and I made a comment about the newly acquired wealth and the fact that he had purchased his wife a mink coat. Betty said, "You know, what really bothers us old money families is the arrogance of these new money people. They just don't know how to be regular people who happen to have money. They think having money makes one better than everyone else."
Regarding Willard's obfuscation about his tax returns - Could it be that he is afraid the public will find out he is more wealthy than he wants us to believe and knows that even the TP will have a problem voting for a billionaire.