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Do you think it should be required? The Constitution outlines the qualifications for president, namely that one be a natural born citizen, be at least 35 years of age, and have been a resident within the US for at least 14 years. No where is there mention of showing tax returns.
I'd agree that presidents should disclose, but this Dem ploy at legislation is blatantly unconstitutional and should be called out as such. Note, if the president doesn't disclose, I don't lose any sleep over it. Indeed, and this is particularly true for wealthy people, their taxes are regularly audited by the IRS. If there was something illegal going on, charges would've been found a long time ago.
Yes, I do. People first had to pay federal income taxes in 1861, 70+ years after the Constitution was written.
And I think it should be required for future candidates, not for trump while he's in office. It'll stop (one can hope) this BS from happening in the future.
Yes, I do. People didn't have to pay federal income taxes until 1861, 70+ years after the Constitution was written.
And I think it should be required for future candidates, not for trump while he's in office. It'll stop (one can hope) this BS from happening in the future.
That's not a unreasonable argument. But this will take a constitutional amendment. After all, the fact that a federal income tax didn't exist at the Constitution's ratification doesn't somehow modify or do away with the requirements to serve as president.
That's not a unreasonable argument. But this will take a constitutional amendment. After all, the fact that a federal income tax didn't exist at the Constitution's ratification doesn't somehow modify or do away with the requirements to serve as president.
It might.
NJ just introduced a bill (just to spite trump) that presidential candidates won't be on the ballot unless they release their tax returns.
People would still be able to write him in. But if other states start doing this, and it passes in enough states, who knows...but I'm guessing that would take 20 years, at least.
I am all for full financial disclosure for elected officials, but as for actual tax returns (1) too few people have a true understanding of the sort of tax returns our elected officials have, (2) too many partisans would cherry pick and use bits and pieces to make political points, and (3) tax returns involve private information of innocent family members and such and do not need to be spread around to those most willing in this climate to do damage.
Looking for gotcha's any gotcha's does not appeal to me at all. Would rather hear policy.
No, as there is a privacy act. Think of all the potential companies, institutions and people that may be tagged in the taxes of an individual. If there are deductions , which more than likely there will be, than people are going to see contributions to certain groups, people etc. Its none of our business people, get over it.
The one and only reason Democrats are fixated on tax returns is because Democrats have disdain for the rich and especially rich who, like the rest of us, try to take advantage of the tax laws so that they can pay as little as possible. They are just looking to cherry pick something to use against Trump and other successful people...
It's a private matter. The only people that should care about tax returns are the IRS, and as long as they're satisfied that Trump or anyone else hasn't broken the law, I couldn't care any less about see tax returns... What difference does that make?
Sorry but all you need to run for the presidency is pass the age, residency and citizenship requirements. Other documentation substantiates those things.
No one should have to provide a copy of their tax returns (Trump), speech transcripts (Hillary) or college transcripts (Obama) to run for president. If the Democrats or the Republicans want to make it a criteria to run on their own party's ticket they can do it but that's it and they wouldn't make it a law, they'd just do it.
What requirement exactly do you think providing a tax return substantiates? Is there a law that says you have to fall into a particular income range in order to be president? Is there a law that says you have to have charitable donations that are X percent of your annual income? I don't think so.
Why leftist tyrants are so for POTUS and candidates releasing their tax returns has nothing to do with looking for wrong doing because deep down beyond the partisan part of their brain they know the IRS would punish or have corrected a fraudulent return. The real reason the left is for it is because it gives them ammunition {sometimes] against the opposition.
Case in point, Obama/Romney. The main stream media breaks out the big story Romney paid a 17 % rate and made way more money then Obama who paid a 24% rate and was closer to the top rate of 28%. {numbers made up} Then the leaders and the media sell the idea that Mitt is not paying his fair share and hold Obama up like a God because he made less and paid more.
Sometimes it back fires, like when it was disclosed that Gore who made millions and only donated $7,500 [made up numbers] to charity. That has become the rights angle of scoring points on tax returns is how much is donated to charity I think Mitt had some big numbers. Instead of standing up the right just joins their twin of turning tax returns into scoring points for the team.
Trump as usual wavered back and forth of showing his tax returns he should have told it from the beginning that he was not showing his tax returns and referred them to the IRS. Why play that gotcha game?
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