Why do we insist on seeing them? What do we get out of it? Why do we feel we have the right to see them?

I feel the same way, heck, we already know that now days if you run for President you are rich. Does it really matter, as much as I dislike most every President we have had, I could care less what their tax returns were.

I don't recall when the interest started.

I personally don't care if I see them or not. I have a pre-conceived notion that a serious contender for the White House is going to be well-to-do. The tax returns only reveal how well-to-do they are.

 

I have paid some attention to charitable contributions, but again, it's far from newsworthy or necessary in my mind.

Seeing them has no bearing on my political thought process but honestly I'd like to look at them just to satisfy personal curiosity.

Edited January 24, 201214 yr by Watusi

I really don't care to see them...I wouldn't know what I am looking at anyway. Could you imagine looking at a tax return for Mitt Romney? All the business ventures, new starts, buying and selling businesses and/or properties, and not to mention a team of tax attorneys that utilize every deduction possible. It could be endless schedules and attachments, resulting in a very large book. I can't even understand or interpret my own taxes, much less his. In the end, I really don't see tax returns as a breakthrough for getting new votes.

The only thing I care about is that they are paying their legal amount.

I have no idea, Clyde. I think a lot has to do with demonizing those who are extremely wealthy... a class warfare of sorts.

It started with Mitt Romney's dad back in the 60s I believe.

 

Not sure why people feel they have the right to see it. The funny thing is those same people clamoring about needing to see the candidates returns will be the same group fighting tooth and nail if they were asked to disclose their returns.

$41M for Mitt in 2010. Nice gig if you can get it.

$41M for Mitt in 2010. Nice gig if you can get it.

 

Actually, it's 21.7 M in 2010, and an estimated 21 M in 2011. With taxes paid totalling 6.2 M in 2010-11.

Actually, it's 21.7 M in 2010, and an estimated 21 M in 2011. With taxes paid totalling 6.2 M in 2010-11.

 

Thanks.

 

Sort of makes his "I'm unemployed, too" joke a few months ago a tad more than lame.

^Technically he's being honest. His income comes primarily from investments. He doesn't have wages.

^Technically he's being honest. His income comes primarily from investments. He doesn't have wages.

 

Oh, I get the "technically" part of it. My guess it doesn't play well in Tupelo.

I could care less. However, I also don't understand why a candidate isn't prepared for this issue when they run, nor why they care. Mitt Romney consistently touts America's free-market capitalism that allows a person to excel as one of the great things about this country, so why should he be hesitant to show people how much he has excelled under that system. I just use him as an example because he's the obvious name right now.