In break with tradition, most Presidential candidates (both D and R) are keeping their tax records secret

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.,worked for a hedge fund while heading a poverty center in between his presidential campaigns. But since he isn't telling, voters can't know how much money he earned.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., says his wife, Ann, once donated to Planned Parenthood, but that he never contributed to an abortion-rights group himself. But there's no way for the media and the public to check that claim.

In a break with the tradition of recent presidential campaigns, most of the major presidential candidates aren't releasing their income-tax filings.

Edwards has indicated that he will keep his tax returns private, and while Romney is still considering his options, he has never released his returns in previous runs for office.

Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., aren't saying whether they will or not, but neither has released income tax forms filed this year.

That means voters are likely to know less about the income sources, personal wealth and charitable inclinations of the presidential candidates than in any election in the past generation.

"When you run for president, you really have to open yourself up to the American people," said Mary Boyle, a spokeswoman for Common Cause, a government watchdog group. "If you're asking voters of this country to elect you as president, it's reasonable and rational that your tax returns are made public."

The release of candidates' tax forms has become common practice in presidential campaigns since the Watergate era of the early '70s.

Since 1984, only one major-party presidential candidate -- Bill Clinton in 1992 -- has refused to release the tax forms he sent to the Internal Revenue Service.

[...]

... as the 2008 election draws near, the only top-tier candidate who has committed to releasing his 1040 forms is Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who already made public the return he filed this year.

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3165953

[Mirorgate 0]

Ah yes, another way to blind the voters to the fact that they all take graft and bribes..... erm... campaign funds. yeah.. thats the ticket.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What is currently required of politicians - in terms of financial disclosure laws? I'm torn on this issue because simply looking at their income tax returns doesn't really tell much and could in fact be misinterpreted.

[ELW 5]

Yea Obama.

[hmm1 0]

Yea Obama.

It doesn't really matter to me, the political turmoil will not end until there is a reputable third and fourth party that is actually taken serious.

[Heracles 417]

Yea Obama.

It doesn't really matter to me, the political turmoil will not end until there is a reputable third and fourth party that is actually taken serious.

You got the right.. Neither party actually care about the 90% of voters who are in the middle and would rather cater for the fringe 10% of their party. If I was voting in the US I would also like all of the candidates to indicate who their cabinet will be if they are elected.

It is about time an American president is elected who actually has 'America' and 'Americans' in their interests rather than everyone else. Be if left wing or right wing whatever.

Edited May 14, 2007 by Infidel