GOP Warns That Releasing Trump's Taxes Could Lead to More Transparency

[workinclasszero]

By Eric Levitz 11:58 A.M.

Every president since Jimmy Carter has allowed the public to inspect his tax returns. The principle behind this practice is simple: Voters deserve to know what their leaders’ financial interests are, so that they can recognize when said leaders are putting those interests above the public good.

No modern president has ever had more potentially compromising financial interests than Donald J. Trump. The mogul owns a business that profits off the commercial value of his own name, which he licenses to real-estate developers the world over, many of whom have direct ties to foreign governments and political parties. And yet, he has nevertheless refused to share his tax returns with voters — even though he promised to do so, repeatedly, before they made him their president.

All this puts Republican lawmakers in an unenviable position: They must find a way to argue (with righteous indignation) that the president’s finances should be concealed, in defiance of popular opinion and his own campaign promises. At a Ways and Means committee hearing in D.C. Thursday, GOP lawmakers unveiled their case: If Congress gives voters insight into Donald Trump’s financial interests, what’s to stop it from giving voters insight into the financial interests of all who rule them?

http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/gop-warns-releasing-trumps-taxes-could-lead-to-transparency.html

[ffr]

1. Wooooooh!

[workinclasszero]

2. IKR?

Transparency is the last thing the Russian bought and paid for Republican party wants for sure!

[TeapotInATempest]

3. I have one nit to pick with the article:

"If Congress gives voters insight into Donald Trump’s financial interests, what’s to stop it from giving voters insight into the financial interests of all who rule them?"

We're Americans and we are not ruled, but governed, damn it!

[myohmy2]

4. sure...

...trump keeps his base well fed to primary all un-trump Republicans...he's their el trumpo…

" All this puts Republican lawmakers in an unenviable position..."

...do Party over country, self-preservationist Republicans fear their MAGA base?

...of course...

[GoCubsGo]

5. It seems they believe everyone behaves the way they do.

The concept that not everyone lies, cheats and steals like they do is way over their heads.