French ministers to release all personal asset information

[bemildred]

Source: Torygraph

In a country whose attitude to wealth is deeply ambivalent, the move has sparked a political row over whether it is a bold move towards greater transparency and accountability or a populist, counterproductive act of voyeurism.

The government hopes the measure will help turn the page on a hugely damaging scandal over tax fraud charges meted against former-budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, the man tasked with fighting tax evasion, after he admitted having a secret Swiss bank account.

With France engrossed in a guessing game over which of the 37 ministers on the list will end up top of the personal wealth table, some have already jumped the gun.

Disclosing family assets of 5.4 million euros this morning, the minister for the elderly, Michele Delaunay, conceded that her considerable wealth would be “difficult to understand for the majority of the French, who are facing hard times” – even if the was all above board.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/francois-hollande/9994819/French-ministers-to-release-all-personal-asset-information.html

[cartach]

1. Counterproductive act of voyeurism.

What a load of crap. Transparency trumps any negative label they want to put on it. Give credit where credit is due and praise the French for making the right move. Only a conservative would fault this one especially a politician. Considerable wealth,even if it was all aboveboard may be difficult for the majority of the French who are facing hard times to understand but it will not be hidden and it will be open to scrutiny and questioning. In time the average Frenchperson will come to appreciate the openness. To bad the US hasn't the guts to do the same.

[bemildred]

2. Transparency at it's finest. nt

[dotymed]

3. Absolutely, this transparency is a must.

What is really sickening in the U.S. is that with most politicians, their wealth after they are elected, goes off the charts. Public service is not supposed to be a path to wealth.
Legal insider trading being just one of the options available to them.
It is so easy to understand why (Muslims according to the MSM) call America "the great satan."
A govt. that has no loyalty to the average citizen, yet greatly enriches itself and a chosen few, is a govt. that is corrupt to its core.
No Universal health care, a terrible retirement system that they shrink daily, the largest prison system in the world, laws enforced only on the poor (usually, unless it is to punish their political enemies or "set an example" to the masses&quot , a judiciary that is openly hostile to the least among us...
How can we millions accept this?

[bemildred]

4. When we are as open about money as we are about sex, we might have made some progress.

Wealth is the last great taboo subject.

[dotymed]

5. Sadly, in the "Bible Belt"

sex is still pretty taboo.

[bemildred]

6. Oh yes, I know. And that protects them from honest discussions about money.

As does the constant din of noise that we live in.

[dotymed]

7. Yes bemildred, a lot of tragedies

are committed against us to divert attention also. Like a sociopathic magician...watch this hand while I pick your pocket, liberties, etc.. with the other one...