Everybody has a theory about why Mitt Romney, in the face of mounting criticism even within his own party, refuses to make public more of his tax returns.
My two cents: His returns for the years 2000-2005, before Romney had settled on a decision to seek the presidency, will perhaps show that he (and his wife) made generous charitable contributions to liberal causes that, while only slightly to the left of Republicans in Massachusetts, are anathema to the national GOP.
I'm thinking organizations like NARAL, the pro-choice group, or various mainstream environmental organizations that are generally aligned with democrats, and President Obama, on climate change and related issues. The contributions would have been given anonymously (with the donor's identity likely hidden even from the recipient charities), which would explain why you haven't already heard about this apostasy.
But this is just a theory. We won't know what Romney is wishing he didn't have to divulge until -- inevitably, inescapably, ineluctably -- he is compelled by the press to divulge it. For it is a given of contemporary politics that one cannot be elected president (or vice president) without laying open one's tax returns -- and much more about personal finances besides -- for scrutiny by journalists and voters.
This full-frontal transparency has nothing to do with the law -- which, especially in the area of taxes, is highly protective of confidentiality. It has everything to do with citizens' expectations, created by a demanding press, for disclosure. Journalists' unremitting demands over the years, not legal requirements, have established the political norm, now a rite of electoral passage, of disclosing candidates' tax returns
This norm of disclosure, however, is conspicuously absent in the area of campaign contributions. Even though the Supreme Court has given its unequivocal blessing to strong disclosure requirements, secrecy remains the norm. Thanks to Congressional paralysis, deep-pocketed patrons of presidential candidates have multiple legal options for delaying, limiting and completely blocking disclosure about their financial support.
The press have been bystanders to this saga too long. If Congress won't mandate disclosure by contributors, reporters can and should demand disclosure directly from the candidates themselves. Specifically, the names of the 25 biggest contributors to each candidate and the amounts of their contributions (including contributions to candidates' supposedly independent SuperPacs and nonprofit social welfare organizations).
This is information that the candidates' campaign aides already know to the dollar, updated hourly. They will be hard-pressed to explain why the public should not also have this information.
Just as the press established a political norm of disclosure for candidates' tax returns, so the press can create a new political norm for full and timely disclosure of candidates' financial supporters.
Forget about Congress. Forget about the Federal Election Commission. Meaningful disclosure will come when the press, through persistent questioning, has created fear within the campaigns that voters expect it and will punish a candidate who holds back.
There's still time to create this political norm before the November elections.
Peter Scheer, a lawyer and journalist, is executive director of the First Amendment Coalition. This article does not necessarily reflect the view of the FAC Board of Directors.
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My guess is tax amnesty for hiding his money overseas in the Swiss bank accounts and Caymon Island shell corporations that have already been verified.
What does he have to hide? Though he has followed the tax law and probably paid some taxes he has avoided paying his fair share. By moving his vast wealth over seas into none taxable accounts he defeats the arguement that the wealty folks of this country are the job creators.
What jobs are they creating with their money safely stashed in foreign banks. Where is their investment in this country that allowed them to create such vast wealth.
How can we bellieve in a candidate that talks the talk but does not walk it. If it is true that Mitt and Bain truly destroyed companies to gain this wealth, and then avoided the same percentages of taxes the rest of us pay.
It reminds of the time I worked for a company that the owner was the self appointed sales manager for the sales force. The only pocket he looked out for was his own. Would Mitt be any different when it comes to Tax Reform which is a merely a campaign slogan.
Would Mitt do this to his rich buddies or himself. Human nature says no.
No he doesn't and shouldn't; its no ones businessand their is no law that requires him to do it. He should stand firm and not releases them.
A: Anything you want him to believe.
With their cutting back on staffing, it is more difficult to find good investigative journalism.
Fewer means to fact-find assertions and reveal lies disseminated by both sides, but OVERWHELMINGLY by the political right.
The owners get rich, the workers get laid off and the news quality suffers.
Because of corporate profitability concerns, the quality and reliability of network news has been reduced to entertainment punctuated by occasional journalism.
Obama goes BUST on Solar Valley PORK.Debauching the Money Supply and No Budget/Jobs.
Romney's Checks don't Bounce !