Birthers vs Returners

[AlpsStranger]

American law does require you to be a born American in order to be President.

American law does not require you to release your tax returns to be President.

This is going to be about politics. I'm not saying Romney actually broke any laws.

 

[KaiserElectric]

I still don't know why on Earth it matters that Romney doesn't release his tax returns. Yeah, you could argue that it points to a candidate's morality, but why do we need a few numbers on a piece of paper to tell us if he's right for office? Unless he has some huge scandal we don't know about, does it really matter?

 

[AlpsStranger]

I view it simply as a political tactic. It either works or it doesn't. All else is noise.

 

[JollyRoger]

I still don't know why on Earth it matters that Romney doesn't release his tax returns. Yeah, you could argue that it points to a candidate's morality, but why do we need a few numbers on a piece of paper to tell us if he's right for office? Unless he has some huge scandal we don't know about, does it really matter?

It doesn't matter - he is free to run as if he is hiding something.

 

[Core Imposter]

I still don't know why on Earth it matters that Romney doesn't release his tax returns. Yeah, you could argue that it points to a candidate's morality, but why do we need a few numbers on a piece of paper to tell us if he's right for office? Unless he has some huge scandal we don't know about, does it really matter?

Moral? He is either legal or not. I can't fathom how morality comes into play. Unless you want to make the case that he was immoral if it turns out he paid more than he was supposed to.

I would have a problem with voting for a guy who paid one red cent more than he absolutely had to.

I would have a problem with voting for a guy who failed to use every legal dodge, loophole and hook he could to reduce his tax.

But I don't know that morality should be dragged in. Its probably moral to pay taxes.

At the end of the day, Mitt is hiding all that money he gave to the Mormon church. Probably tens of millions if not hundreds of millions.

 

[Formaldehyde]

I still don't know why on Earth it matters that Romney doesn't release his tax returns. Yeah, you could argue that it points to a candidate's morality, but why do we need a few numbers on a piece of paper to tell us if he's right for office? Unless he has some huge scandal we don't know about, does it really matter?

In other words, you would vote for him over Obama, even if he paid no taxes except for the year he prepared his taxes knowing he was running for the presidency.

We should simply pass a law that anybody can request the federal tax returns for any politician who runs for an elected federal office for a period of 10 years prior to the election to 5 years after they finally leave office.

 

[kramerfan86]

I find the claim hard to believe, supposedly he sent tax forms to the McCain campaign didnt he when being considered for the VP spot? You really think if a bombshell like "he hasnt paid taxes in 10 years" was in there that would never have leaked out from the campaign? Especially since they had just fought a bitter race against him?

 

[JollyRoger]

Where do you think Reid got the info? Obviously he is confident enough in his source to know that Romney can't refute it.

 

[AlpsStranger]

I don't know JR. He might be bluffing and assuming that Romney is 100% not going to release his tax returns.

@MisterCooper: I doubt it's worth Obama's time to worry about what it takes to get your vote.

 

[Cutlass]

I still don't know why on Earth it matters that Romney doesn't release his tax returns. Yeah, you could argue that it points to a candidate's morality, but why do we need a few numbers on a piece of paper to tell us if he's right for office? Unless he has some huge scandal we don't know about, does it really matter?

Romney has demanded tax returns of opponents. If he's unwilling to release his than he is both a hypocrite and appears to be hiding the truth of what kind of person he is. He is making himself look bad. This is his choices and his actions.

 

[Leoreth]

I would have a problem with voting for a guy who failed to use every legal dodge, loophole and hook he could to reduce his tax.

Even if it means he paid these taxes (at a lower rate) abroad instead? What does that say about his patriotism?

 

[Core Imposter]

Even if it means he paid these taxes (at a lower rate) abroad instead? What does that say about his patriotism?

I really can't believe you think that anybody competent is going to pay more tax than they have to. It says to me that you don't really understand how the world works. It says you haven't ever had to deal with bureaucracy, never had to spend months of your time working for no reason other than some stupid arbitrary ruling made by a nameless faceless functionary on a silly law that was obsolete when it passed, nor ever seen people run down by an unfeeling system that has no soul. It seems you have never run a business or worked outside some sheltered and priviledge perch. Do you work for the government?

You attitude is alien to the world I live in. The fact that so many have this incredible and silly view just shows how much change we have had in the last decades.

 

[Core Imposter]

Obama better watch out what he wishes for. If Romney drops those returns its going to show massive charitable giving (probably) that will make Obama look very bad in comparision. In fact, Romney might be roping the dope.

 

[KaiserElectric]

Romney has demanded tax returns of opponents. If he's unwilling to release his than he is both a hypocrite and appears to be hiding the truth of what kind of person he is. He is making himself look bad. This is his choices and his actions.

Ah, that's interesting. I can understand not releasing your tax forms, but not releasing them when you demanded others to release them is an entirely different story. Thanks for the answer.

Obama better watch out what he wishes for. If Romney drops those returns its going to show massive charitable giving (probably) that will make Obama look very bad in comparision. In fact, Romney might be roping the dope.

One could only hope.

 

[Leoreth]

I really can't believe you think that anybody competent is going to pay more tax than they have to. It says to me that you don't really understand how the world works. It says you haven't ever had to deal with bureaucracy, never had to spend months of your time working for no reason other than some stupid arbitrary ruling made by a nameless faceless functionary on a silly law that was obsolete when it passed, nor ever seen people run down by an unfeeling system that has no soul. It seems you have never run a business or worked outside some sheltered and priviledge perch. Do you work for the government?

You attitude is alien to the world I live in. The fact that so many have this incredible and silly view just shows how much change we have had in the last decades.

So you're basically saying the tax code is stupid and should be circumvented as far as possible, right?

Why is using loopholes more acceptable than breaking the law outright, then?

 

[IdiotsOpposite]

I would have a problem with voting for a guy who paid one red cent more than he absolutely had to.

Because actually being generous and acting to support the country that protects you is terrible amirite

 

[Formaldehyde]

I find the claim hard to believe, supposedly he sent tax forms to the McCain campaign didnt he when being considered for the VP spot? You really think if a bombshell like "he hasnt paid taxes in 10 years" was in there that would never have leaked out from the campaign? Especially since they had just fought a bitter race against him?

McCain just claims there was nothing in there that would have been "disqualifying". Incredibly wealthy people not paying much or any taxes is not against the law, nor is it very objectionable to Republican congressmen. After all, they are the ones who created the loopholes to allow them to do it in the first place. Furthermore, the information would be safe from prying eyes because vice presidents don't need to divulge any of their tax returns. McCain readily admits the reason he didn't select Romney was largely due to his wealth. McCain even refused to reply to the question of whether or not Romney paid no taxes.

But I agree it is highly unlikely that Romney did so. I think it is just so mind-numbingly low amount that it is going to be a huge embarrassment to him. Romney is not about to willingly give up ammo which would likely help assure his defeat.

Obama better watch out what he wishes for. If Romney drops those returns its going to show massive charitable giving (probably) that will make Obama look very bad in comparision. In fact, Romney might be roping the dope.

I'm certain that is exactly why Romney refuses to do so. He is being "charitable" to Obama prior to proving that he is really just a misunderstood demigod who gave prodigious sums of money to help rescue stray cats.

 

[kramerfan86]

McCain just claims there was nothing in there that would have been "disqualifying". Incredibly wealthy people not paying much or any taxes is not against the law, nor is it very objectionable to Republican congressmen. After all, they are the ones who created the loopholes to allow them to do it in the first place. Furthermore, the information would be safe from prying eyes because vice presidents don't need to divulge any of their tax returns. McCain readily admits the reason he didn't select Romney was largely due to his wealth. McCain even refused to reply to the question of whether or not Romney paid no taxes.

But I agree it is highly unlikely that Romney did so. I think it is just so mind-numbingly low amount that it is going to be a huge embarrassment to him. Romney is not about to willingly give up ammo which would likely help assure his defeat.

Oh McCain is a party sell out, there could have been evidence Romney ate babies in there and McCain wouldnt bring it up. I was thinking more so his staffers who had to see the reports and who dont have rabid party loyalty.

 

[Murky]

I don't know what Romney is afraid of in releasing his returns. Even if he had a zero tax year, the right-wing media would spin it to make him look like a hero to his base.

 

[IdiotsOpposite]

I don't know what Romney is afraid of in releasing his returns. Even if he a zero tax year, the right-wing media would spin it to make him look like a hero to his base.

Mitt Romney needs the middle to win - and a good part of the middle thinks Romney should pay taxes.