National Review to Romney: Release More Tax Returns

[telcoman]

He better do it soon.

He must have done terrible things

Refusing to do so makes him appear to be untrustworthy and perhaps a crook and a possible felon.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/07/1 ... x-returns/


Telcoman

[bigbadberry3]

Apparently, Romney once called out a Kennedy on tax returns...

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/1 ... ax-return/

But in 1994, Romney vigorously called for then Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) to release his tax returns, in order to prove that he had “nothing to hide”:
With the tax-filing deadline looming, Republican Senate candidate Mitt Romney yesterday challenged Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to disclose his state and federal taxes to prove he has ‘nothing to hide,’ but another GOP rival, John R. Lakian, called Romney’s move ‘bush league’ ‘It’s time the biggest-taxing senator in Washington shows the people of Massachusetts how much he pays in taxes,” said Romney, a business consultant from Belmont. Romney said he would disclose his own state and federal taxes for the last three years ‘on the very day that Kennedy turns over his taxes for public scrutiny.’ [Boston Globe, 4/19/94]
Eight years later, during his successful gubernatorial campaign, Romney played the same game, calling for his Democratic opponent to release her husband’s tax returns, even when he hadn’t released his own:
At the moment, however, Mr. Romney is trying to have it both ways. On April 16, he lambasted his most likely Democratic foe, Shannon O’Brien who discloses her tax return for filing separately from her husband who does not. The husband is Emmett Hayes, a former state representative and until recently a Beacon Hill lobbyist. One of Mr. Hayes’s clients was Enron. Mr. Romney is in high dudgeon that Ms. O’Brien hasn’t released Mr. Hayes’s tax forms with her own. ‘Her hands aren’t clean!’ he says…If Romney & Healey, who are candidates, won’t release their tax forms, they have no business demanding that Mr. Hayes, who isn’t a candidate, do so. [Editorial, Providence Journal Bulletin, 5/9/02]

[stebo0728]

First of all, no candidate is required to release ANY tax documents. This is a distraction, and I dont think Americans are going to fall for it. Perhaps, if Mr. Obama would release his college applications, perhaps some copies of the supposed Harvard Law Review articles he was supposed to have written, then Romney might throw a bit more out as well?

Oh and then there's the economy to worry about fixing too.....

[bigbadberry3]

I actually think that this is a valid point. I want to know if the president is off shoring money to evade taxes.

[stebo0728]

I dont disagree, but I'd also like to know if our current president coasted through college as a "foreign" student. Some claim he did. His records are sealed tighter than a frogs rectum.

[bigbadberry3]

I dont disagree, but I'd also like to know if our current president coasted through college as a "foreign" student. Some claim he did. His records are sealed tighter than a frogs rectum.

Can you elaborate? I know the college drugs stuff but not about the academic records portion.

[szh]

First of all, no candidate is required to release ANY tax documents.[/qute]
True, as far as I know.

This is a distraction, and I dont think Americans are going to fall for it.

Now, that I am not as sure ... for some reason, most Americans are unbelievably politically naive as far as I can tell.

They will take the pap that the media and political parties spit out and believe it unconditionally ... without using their own judgement and rational thinking.

It does not matter that Romney is very rich and makes more than many people in the US, it does not matter that he has not released all tax returns, it does matter that he is unable to stand firm on some of these things because he would get hammered by the media (because it leads the people who live by sound-bites astray).

Z

[ImStricken06]

He better do it soon.

He must have done terrible things

Refusing to do so makes him appear to be untrustworthy and perhaps a crook and a possible felon.


Telcoman

THE SAME CAN BE SAID ABOUT OBAMA'S FAST & FURIOUS FILES THAT HE REFUSES TO OPEN UP
hypocrite.

[bigbadberry3]

He better do it soon.

He must have done terrible things

Refusing to do so makes him appear to be untrustworthy and perhaps a crook and a possible felon.


Telcoman

THE SAME CAN BE SAID ABOUT OBAMA'S FAST & FURIOUS FILES THAT HE REFUSES TO OPEN UP
hypocrite.

National security.

Romney just doesn't want to look like he is "out of touch" because of his financials and also being a tax cheater (didn't say felon)

Here are some of my favorite Romney memes

[stebo0728]

If Romney broke some specific law that makes him a felon (yes I know you didnt use that term) then thats one thing. But not all off shore accounts are used for tax evasion, at least not for illegal tax evasion. Thats part of our problem now, our tax system is such a joke. Conservatives have been pushing a plan for years that would create a tax amnesty for moving offshore funds back into the American system. But noooooo, liberals just HAVE to tax that money if it comes back. Good luck getting it back here.

Im also tired of people throwing around this "anti-american" sentiment when a company either offshores money or jobs. The job and the capital belong to the company, and they'll do what the damn well please with it, and that will be whatever makes it work best for them. If we want that capital and job pool to stay here, we damned well better figure out how to make the companies want to. You won't force it, you'll just make the leaks bigger. If we want our nation to be great again, we have to make it so, not just proclaim it so.

[bigbadberry3]

If Romney broke some specific law that makes him a felon (yes I know you didnt use that term) then thats one thing. But not all off shore accounts are used for tax evasion, at least not for illegal tax evasion. Thats part of our problem now, our tax system is such a joke. Conservatives have been pushing a plan for years that would create a tax amnesty for moving offshore funds back into the American system. But noooooo, liberals just HAVE to tax that money if it comes back. Good luck getting it back here.

Why should they get amnesty if they have been circumventing laws? I'll give you criminal amnesty but not financial amnesty.

[stebo0728]

Im not talking about illegally offshored money. Why would I support that and not want to give illegal immigrants amnesty? Im talking about offshored money that is there legally.

[ImStricken06]

Why should they get amnesty if they have been circumventing laws? I'll give you criminal amnesty but not financial amnesty.

if you have a problem with people being able to offshore money, write to your law makers. not republicans, not democrats will even touch that- why? because both sides are guilty of it.

but to be honest, id rather have a president who follows the law, than one who surrounds himself with people who break tax laws.
you know what they say, birds of a feather flock together

Timothy Geithner: serving under President Barack Obama. It was revealed that Geithner had not paid $35000 in self-employment taxes for the years 2001–2004.

Ronald "Ron" Kirk: serving in the Obama administration. White House chief trade representative, didn't pay taxes on some speaking fees he donated to his alma mater and he tried to write off the full $17,000 costs of his Dallas Mavericks season tickets.

Capricia Penavic Marshall: President Obama’s choice as chief of protocol for the State Department, a position that carries the status of an ambassadorship, did not file tax returns for 2005 and 2006.

Kathy Sebelius: President Obama's pick to head up the massive Health and Human Services department, is the latest Obama Cabinet nominee to have tax issues.

Tom Daschle: who has a storied 30 year history in Washington, dropped out of contention for head of Health and Human Services because he didn’t pay back taxes on use of a limo. Those taxes amount to over $130,000

Nancy Killefer: Another Obama appointee, nominated for chief performance officer, had to back out of the job because she didn’t pay taxes on an employee.

^THOSE ARE ALL DEMOCRATS^ - AND AT LEAST OFF-SHORING IS LEGAL. BLATANTLY NOT PAYING TAXES IS ILLEGAL!!!

[bigbadberry3]

Im not talking about illegally offshored money. Why would I support that and not want to give illegal immigrants amnesty? Im talking about offshored money that is there legally.

Unfortunately there is nothing to be done about legally off shored money. Unless you want to create retroactive laws which would probably be circumvented anyways.

But if Romney did legally off shore his money, why is he so hesitant to disclose legal moves?

[stebo0728]

Why does he have to? If he puts out more personal information now, he'd be the first to do so. I think he's making a point. If he's to be vetted that strongly, then lets also vet the current POTUS, a process that did NOT occur in 2008. A moot point? Perhaps.

[telcoman]

Why should they get amnesty if they have been circumventing laws? I'll give you criminal amnesty but not financial amnesty.

if you have a problem with people being able to offshore money, write to your law makers. not republicans, not democrats will even touch that- why? because both sides are guilty of it.

but to be honest, id rather have a president who follows the law, than one who surrounds himself with people who break tax laws.
you know what they say, birds of a feather flock together

Timothy Geithner: serving under President Barack Obama. It was revealed that Geithner had not paid $35000 in self-employment taxes for the years 2001–2004.

Ronald "Ron" Kirk: serving in the Obama administration. White House chief trade representative, didn't pay taxes on some speaking fees he donated to his alma mater and he tried to write off the full $17,000 costs of his Dallas Mavericks season tickets.

Capricia Penavic Marshall: President Obama’s choice as chief of protocol for the State Department, a position that carries the status of an ambassadorship, did not file tax returns for 2005 and 2006.

Kathy Sebelius: President Obama's pick to head up the massive Health and Human Services department, is the latest Obama Cabinet nominee to have tax issues.

Tom Daschle: who has a storied 30 year history in Washington, dropped out of contention for head of Health and Human Services because he didn’t pay back taxes on use of a limo. Those taxes amount to over $130,000

Nancy Killefer: Another Obama appointee, nominated for chief performance officer, had to back out of the job because she didn’t pay taxes on an employee.

^THOSE ARE ALL DEMOCRATS^ - AND AT LEAST OFF-SHORING IS LEGAL. BLATANTLY NOT PAYING TAXES IS ILLEGAL!!!

Of those that you listed above we are only taking about someone running for POTUS

I'm sure there are many more individuals with tax problems but when you are running for public office or a cabinet position you need to provide tax returns to be properly vetted. 10 years of tax returns is not an unreasonable request.
I think the American people do want to know how Romney managed to pay so little tax and perhaps none at all in some years. How does one acquire 100 million in an IRA?
This will become a big issue in the debates.

Telcoman

[ImStricken06]

there is nothing ILLEGAL about what Romney did. At least he has worked in the private sector, understood whats needed to create jobs, went out and actually created jobs, and not only made something of himself, but helped others make something of themselves. can Obama say the same? ROMNEY DIDNT DO ANYTHING YOU NOR I WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IN HIS SHOES, so stop being a hypocrite.

[telcoman]

there is nothing ILLEGAL about what Romney did.

The American people don't know that until he shows us his tax returns

there is nothing ILLEGAL about what Romney did. At least he has worked in the private sector, understood whats needed to create jobs, went out and actually created jobs,

Many lost jobs as he drove companies into bankruptcy while he made lots of money

He doesn't want to talk much about his time in the private sector nor does he want to talk much about his time as gov of Massachuetts. He did create a healthcare plan

Telcoman

[ImStricken06]

there is nothing ILLEGAL about what Romney did.

The American people don't know that until he shows us his tax returns

there is nothing ILLEGAL about what Romney did. At least he has worked in the private sector, understood whats needed to create jobs, went out and actually created jobs,

Many lost jobs as he drove companies into bankruptcy while he made lots of money

He doesn't want to talk much about his time in the private sector nor does he want to talk much about his time as gov of Massachuetts. He did create a healthcare plan

Telcoman

listen i dont like the guy either! so im not sitting here and rooting for him. im simply saying that accusing him of doing EXACTLY what both sides do- only makes everyone look like fools.

and regarding his failure of a medical plan, did your messiah see that? didnt he take romney's mistake and not wanna create the same one nationally? at least romney tried- without having a prime example to tell him otherwise. your OBuffoon didnt see the clear red flags.... so who is worse?

[hannibal]

I could care less about Mitt's tax returns or off shore money. He is filthy rich. Thats all I know and need to know. Is he worth $100 million or $500 million? Who cares. I just know he has no idea what 95% of America does everyday.

I dont care about Obama's college apps either. Seriously?

[szh]

there is nothing ILLEGAL about what Romney did.

The American people don't know that until he shows us his tax returns

The "American people" are not judge and jury and don't need to see his tax returns. If the IRS is satisfied (and I would be very surprised if they haven't spent tons of time on this) that there wasn't anything illegal, that is sufficient.

Z

[szh]

Unfortunately there is nothing to be done about legally off shored money.

But, if it is legal, why the use of the word "unfortunately"?

Z

[ImStricken06]

I could care less about Mitt's tax returns or off shore money. He is filthy rich. Thats all I know and need to know. Is he worth $100 million or $500 million? Who cares. I just know he has no idea what 95% of America does everyday.

I dont care about Obama's college apps either. Seriously?

i agree and disagree. i dont care about Romney's income either. as long as its legal = its not my business.
your not going to find a toothless, crackhead running for president. thats politics = the richest always either win, or end up head-to-head with whoever does win. those expecting some blue collar factory worker with a limp, and a missing tooth - driving a 89 ford bronco are kidding themselves.

both republicans, and democrats who are running for president will always be rich, and will always be at some level of "out of touch". i know its become socially popular amongst the hipsters, socialists, and college bums to hate the rich aka 1%, but shouldn't hate Romney because he's rich, or because has a smart accountant that says "hey i know how to save you some money, legally". If you had money, you too would do everything to hold onto it legally as long as possible. so lets not be hypocrites. do you really think Obama is some slum living resident, deep in some ghetto, and understands your struggles? please- obama is just as out of touch as anyone other politician. a politicians income is irrelevant to most people. income wont stop someone from making a piss-poor decision with our military, or by passing certain laws.

now onto Obama's credentials.... its the same as anyone who would be running and claiming military time, or certain training/skill/education = id want to see that. thats proof of what you know, or dont know. Obama doesnt want to release his papers for a reason. that to me is important morally. it certainly wont stop him from being a good president, or a bad one - but its nice to have proof that our president has the education and mental capacity to make decisions that have not only our lives on the line - but possibly the lives of other nations we might be butting heads with.

[ImStricken06]

Unfortunately there is nothing to be done about legally off shored money.

But, if it is legal, why the use of the word "unfortunately"?

the Dems use that term, because they hate the rich. that evil 1% that could be robbed to "feed the poor". they wake up everyday with a mission to rob the rich people, and any opportunity lost in taking some of their money is an unfortunate event.

[stebo0728]

I could care less about Mitt's tax returns or off shore money. He is filthy rich. Thats all I know and need to know. Is he worth $100 million or $500 million? Who cares. I just know he has no idea what 95% of America does everyday.

I dont care about Obama's college apps either. Seriously?

Im sorry but this is patently absurd. Wealthy people do not become so in a bubble. In fact, someone wealthy usually has a BETTER understanding of how the 95% operate, knowing this and manipulating this is how they become wealthy. You can argue that, as a business man he may be insensitive toward the 95%, I would disagree, but to say he's clueless is just ridiculous.

[bigbadberry3]

Unfortunately there is nothing to be done about legally off shored money.

But, if it is legal, why the use of the word "unfortunately"?

Z

Unfortunately as I don't believe it is ethical. But that won't stop anyone.

[bigbadberry3]

Rumor has it Romney may have paid no taxes at all.....

[bigbadberry3]

the Dems use that term, because they hate the rich. that evil 1% that could be robbed to "feed the poor". they wake up everyday with a mission to rob the rich people, and any opportunity lost in taking some of their money is an unfortunate event.

You are attempting to vilify someone with constant usage of robbing. No one is trying to illegally and forcefully gain money so stop saying that.

[ImStricken06]

Rumor has it Romney may have paid no taxes at all.....

Rumor has it that obama isnt legal, breezed through school if at all, etc etc etc etc. You are choosing to ignore those rumors as sheer
"fear mongering" by the "evil rich racist republicans". But the rumors you hear on cnn/msnbc/huff post/etc about Romney, you are choosing to set your sights on? so much for fair & balanced.

and, even if he didnt pay!? do you know his expenditures? do you know his write-offs? do you know anything??? no...
your just another liberal who hates rich folks, and when you hear one pays little to no taxes; you start glowing green.

[bigbadberry3]

Rumor has it Romney may have paid no taxes at all.....

Rumor has it that obama isnt legal, breezed through school if at all, etc etc etc etc. You are choosing to ignore those rumors as sheer
"fear mongering" by the "evil rich racist republicans". But the rumors you hear on cnn/msnbc/huff post/etc about Romney, you are choosing to set your sights on? so much for fair & balanced.

and, even if he didnt pay!? do you know his expenditures? do you know his write-offs? do you know anything??? no...
your just another liberal who hates rich folks, and when you hear one pays little to no taxes; you start glowing green.

Proof has it that Obama is legal

Rumor has it Romney may have paid no taxes.

See the difference?

I don't hate rich folks. I hate anyone who plays the system for themselves. Rich,poor, etc.

I would love to know his expenditures but he won't release them.