General Discussion

George II

(67,782 posts)

136. I don't understand why there is such resistance to requiring candidates to release tax returns...

Sat Nov 17, 2018, 04:13 PM

Nov 2018

The Federal government requires that Federal office holders, employees, and candidates file financial disclosures every year. There isn't a concern about privacy.

https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/disclosure

Refusal by a candidate to release tax returns only makes one wonder if he/she has something to hide.

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168 replies

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Before I forget, no candidate with a D can run without releasing 8 years tax returns. [View all] Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 OP

what does that accomplish if it only applies to dems AlexSFCA Nov 2018 #1

"Be the change you want to see". Regardless of what Republicans do, I want to see tax returns. Tarheel_Dem Nov 2018 #2

Of course. thanks Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #8

Bullshit, this does nothing... AZ8theist Nov 2018 #45

It would be great if both parties "adopted transparency", however, I'm not a Republican and have... Tarheel_Dem Nov 2018 #49

Agreed, but.. AZ8theist Nov 2018 #50

It's not wasted, because we get to choose who we want to represent us on the world stage, and not... Tarheel_Dem Nov 2018 #70

and because we set the example still_one Nov 2018 #106

+1 Tarheel_Dem Nov 2018 #148

It helps get the cleanest JustAnotherGen Nov 2018 #78

+1 Tarheel_Dem Nov 2018 #89

We're not republicans. Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #6

So we show ours and they don't and that's smart how? realmirage Nov 2018 #26

What are you afraid of? Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #34

I explained exactly what I'm afraid of. realmirage Nov 2018 #72

Any candidate that has something to hide in their financials is ehrnst Nov 2018 #138

If we DON'T release returns, we lose all moral authority to demand that pnwmom Nov 2018 #65

That is most assuredly an added bonus! NurseJackie Nov 2018 #134

Any candidate should have to show Cha Nov 2018 #3

Works for me mcar Nov 2018 #4

Let us know when you have the power to enforce your new rule. Autumn Nov 2018 #5

People have the power. Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #7

Wonder why anyone would be against this? Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #9

They don't like transparency? Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #11

Maybe ... because they're taking money from a foreign government? FakeNoose Nov 2018 #85

No. We people don't have the power to arbitrarily make rules. Autumn Nov 2018 #18

A candidate who does not publish, does not get my vote jberryhill Nov 2018 #153

I understand that. If the candidate who wins the nomination of your parties primary refuses to Autumn Nov 2018 #156

You're making zero sense here jberryhill Nov 2018 #157

What I said is... if you want to make it a rule for one party it's better to make it a law that Autumn Nov 2018 #158

Curious about your response. Caliman73 Nov 2018 #16

I think it's a very reasonable request and should be a law, not a rule. Republicans will Autumn Nov 2018 #22

We shouldn't care what Republicans insist we do, or that they don't do. Caliman73 Nov 2018 #27

Love your responses and reasoning. I didnt anticipate any opposition to my idea. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #38

You are welcome. Caliman73 Nov 2018 #58

If the OP lives in any number of states that allow ballot initiatives s/he would have the power. xmas74 Nov 2018 #67

That would work as long as it's for both parties and IMO only the higher offices. Autumn Nov 2018 #71

actually any state has the power to enforce that rule dsc Nov 2018 #167

They could , doesn't mean they will. I think that's pretty low on the priority list. Autumn Nov 2018 #168

Depends on the office they are running for Jersey Devil Nov 2018 #10

President. nt Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #12

certainly pres, and many others like senator, congress, etc Jersey Devil Nov 2018 #13

Had not thought of that, you may be right. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #14

When I ran for local council in NJ Jersey Devil Nov 2018 #15

When you're right you're right and you're right! Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #17

That's exactly it, and you can't make one party do it when the other doesn't have to. Autumn Nov 2018 #23

I'm down with your rule. Small-Axe Nov 2018 #19

Agreed Gothmog Nov 2018 #21

Agreed grantcart Nov 2018 #33

+1 ProudLib72 Nov 2018 #60

A couple of blue states have also made this the law Gothmog Nov 2018 #20

Works for me. sheshe2 Nov 2018 #24

For people who believe Sanders has no chance at getting the nomination there sure are realmirage Nov 2018 #25

Sanders? Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #29

He thinks "BS has a chance" because Cha Nov 2018 #147

Chance of what? Small-Axe Nov 2018 #35

I fear that Putin will try to help sanders again so as to help trump Gothmog Nov 2018 #48

I see it precisely the same way. Small-Axe Nov 2018 #51

We are not alone Gothmog Nov 2018 #98

Using Russia to smear Bernie Sanders? realmirage Nov 2018 #74

Read the USA story or the Mueller indictment Gothmog Nov 2018 #96

BAM! I'm almost certain you won't get a response. Tarheel_Dem Nov 2018 #105

I'll read it as soon as I stop "lulzing". N/T lapucelle Nov 2018 #109

"Lulz"? You don't see that expression used alot these days, especially here. lapucelle Nov 2018 #108

He didn't say "smear" he said "help". George II Nov 2018 #114

You seem to hate giving that capital S to Sen. Sanders name n/t Devil Child Nov 2018 #95

I also do not capitalize nader's name for much the same reason Gothmog Nov 2018 #97

Whatever helps you cope I guess n/t Devil Child Nov 2018 #102

I cope by working to protect the vote and elect real Democrats Gothmog Nov 2018 #117

That is an admirable coping skill and one I support Devil Child Nov 2018 #123

Texas will turn blue Gothmog Nov 2018 #124

That's why I always use quick and easy capitalized initials...BS. N/T lapucelle Nov 2018 #110

Yeah, capitalize BS. Cha Nov 2018 #146

Post removed Post removed Nov 2018 #73

He lost by 4 million votes to HRC. Small-Axe Nov 2018 #79

... mcar Nov 2018 #84

I would love to see sanders tax returns Gothmog Nov 2018 #44

I really want to see Sanders taxes. Wintryjade Nov 2018 #46

Post removed Post removed Nov 2018 #75

Democrats believe in full disclosure Gothmog Nov 2018 #115

a lot of posts on DU treestar Nov 2018 #57

Your claim that the people here are realmirage Nov 2018 #77

reality always helps treestar Nov 2018 #83

Sanders will not be the nominee of the Democratic Party Gothmog Nov 2018 #116

When you become chair of the DNC please let us know. former9thward Nov 2018 #28

What can I say, I like transparency. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #30

Well then Jerry Brown is not your friend. former9thward Nov 2018 #31

DONT tell me who my friends are, do NOT. You have no CLUE who I am and who my friends are. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #32

Since you are playing word games former9thward Nov 2018 #39

No response melman Nov 2018 #76

You do realize it is possible to disagree with a politician mcar Nov 2018 #87

I doubt he is either. former9thward Nov 2018 #93

I like transparency mcar Nov 2018 #86

:) Our new democracy reform bill does require presidential Hortensis Nov 2018 #91

You mean the party itself has this, or do you mean a bill in the House? Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #92

Big legislative package in the house, to be introduced Hortensis Nov 2018 #104

Maryland and a couple of blue states have adopted ballot access laws Gothmog Nov 2018 #42

These laws will affect no one. former9thward Nov 2018 #43

Candidates who won't disclose taxes shouldn't be on the ballot Gothmog Nov 2018 #52

I have seen Tribe's arguments. former9thward Nov 2018 #61

I trust Tribe here Gothmog Nov 2018 #64

Yes I am a member of the bar and do criminal defense. former9thward Nov 2018 #66

How a party selects its nominee is not a Constitutional question. Small-Axe Nov 2018 #55

If a state restricts ballot access then it is a Constitutional question. former9thward Nov 2018 #59

It would be interesting to see who would sue Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #82

The larger issue is privacy. former9thward Nov 2018 #94

You give up a ton of privacy by running for office Gothmog Nov 2018 #100

The right to privacy is a core of the Constitution. former9thward Nov 2018 #121

You do understand that running for office is a personal choice? Gothmog Nov 2018 #127

That is the exact same argument anti-abortion people use. former9thward Nov 2018 #132

That analogy is so bad that it is funny Gothmog Nov 2018 #133

"but there are no penalties for ignoring it " former9thward Nov 2018 #135

In Maryland and other states with ballot access laws, you cannot get onto the ballot Gothmog Nov 2018 #160

I don't understand why there is such resistance to requiring candidates to release tax returns... George II Nov 2018 #136

Agreed Gothmog Nov 2018 #137

Um... since the early 70's, most Potus candidates have released them. ehrnst Nov 2018 #141

Why did Jerry Brown refuse to release his? former9thward Nov 2018 #144

Did he win the Dem POTUS nomination? Any of the times he ran? ehrnst Nov 2018 #154

Ok, so everytone except POTUS is exempt from the tax return argument. former9thward Nov 2018 #155

If anyone at all, it needs to be POTUS. ehrnst Nov 2018 #159

Yes, I would like to see Brown run. former9thward Nov 2018 #162

"I don't understand the fascination with tax returns." ehrnst Nov 2018 #164

So what did we learn about Trump from the FEC filings? former9thward Nov 2018 #165

Goalposts moved. ehrnst Nov 2018 #166

That is not what was posted above Gothmog Nov 2018 #161

The Democratic Party can institute a rule requiring a release of tax returns... George II Nov 2018 #113

Yes it can. former9thward Nov 2018 #119

The individual state Democratic Parties make their rules. That's why some states have primaries... George II Nov 2018 #122

No they don't former9thward Nov 2018 #145

The DNC isn't stupid enough to adopt such a rule. What a rule like this is essentially saying is - Midwestern Democrat Nov 2018 #126

trump's returns will be released by the House early next year Gothmog Nov 2018 #101

+1 uponit7771 Nov 2018 #151

Politics How States Could Force Trump to Release His Tax Returns Gothmog Nov 2018 #99

Did he say specifically why it violated the Constitution? Was it the US Constitution or California's George II Nov 2018 #112

The U.S. Constitution. former9thward Nov 2018 #120

And Brown is wrong according Proferssors Hasen and Tribe Gothmog Nov 2018 #128

There are two things involved, State laws and Party rules. Have those states... George II Nov 2018 #88

This ensures democrats will not ever encounter a TRUMP of our own. Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #36

I keep saying what if this happened under Obama or Hillary... Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #37

I absolutely agree. Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #47

And I could forgive someone who Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #54

Why eight? Why not 7? Or 6? Or 4? Or 9? Honeycombe8 Nov 2018 #40

Why not round it up to 10...I have no problem with that. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #41

As long as it's not zero, or half of one that is two years old. George II Nov 2018 #118

Yes... complete returns are essential. NO FAKE OR LAME EXCUSES! NurseJackie Nov 2018 #125

I think that's a great new rule! NurseJackie Nov 2018 #53

I thought so, in fact I thought it was like when I say Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #56

Make a clean break from the "Rules are for sissies" stance of the present administration ProudLib72 Nov 2018 #62

I agree. brer cat Nov 2018 #63

If I ran for local office, and showed jb5150 Nov 2018 #68

OK, that was funny...probably true too but funny. Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #69

Wow this thread was enlightening. MrsCoffee Nov 2018 #80

Unbelievable isn't it? nt Tavarious Jackson Nov 2018 #81

It's a real head scratcher, ain't it? Tarheel_Dem Nov 2018 #90

People identify with a political group, accept the group's leader, Hortensis Nov 2018 #142

Agree with your principle but who keeps 8 years of documents? PJMcK Nov 2018 #103

many do. i am one of them. drray23 Nov 2018 #129

How many years do you keep? PJMcK Nov 2018 #131

OK, 7... Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #130

The IRS has 10 years worth and could be released through them no? uponit7771 Nov 2018 #152

Wrong.... whistler162 Nov 2018 #107

What does "mtwo D's in it" even mean? (nt) ehrnst Nov 2018 #140

lol aikoaiko Nov 2018 #111

What is funny about wanting candidates with nothing to hide? Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #143

Any candidate who refuses even this basic vetting is a time bomb. ehrnst Nov 2018 #139

I'm fine with weighing it among every other aspect of a candidate. All things being equal, I'll take JCanete Nov 2018 #149

Maryland and other blue states will have ballot access laws Gothmog Nov 2018 #163

Business records too jmowreader Nov 2018 #150