Why the Panama Papers Should Be a US Election Issue

[Ferd Berfel]

The word is that they are going to start releasing the names of Americans involved Can't Wait!

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http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/06/why-panama-papers-should-be-us-election-issue

Whether US politicians are named or not, the kind of arrangements that allow the global super-rich to hide their wealth only exist with our leaders’ consent

The massive fallout from the Panama Papers investigation – the largest leak of documents in history, which has exposed the tax affairs of the world’s most powerful people – is being felt globally. (The investigation has already captured its first head of state, in the prime minister of Iceland, who resigned on Tuesday.) Yet, so far, the reaction in the US has been muted.

It shouldn’t be. While the investigation has not named any well-known US citizens – though “just wait for what is coming next”, as one of the lead editors said – the scandal should be a critical issue in US presidential election. This is especially true in the Democratic primary, where the story once again calls into question free trade agreements which the party’s elite have been pushing on its rank-and-file for years.

What makes this story particularly relevant is that it was partly predicted by Bernie Sanders when the Obama administration signed the Panama free trade agreement in 2011.

At the time, Sanders gave a prescient speech warning of the exact kind of scandal exposed by the Panama Papers. As Congress was debating the deal, Sanders said on the Senate floor: “Panama is a world leader when it comes to allowing wealthy Americans and large corporations to evade US taxes by stashing their cash in offshore tax havens. And the Panama free trade agreement would make this bad situation much worse.” (The speech is now going viral on Facebook.)

[Paper Roses]

1. The whole list needs to be released now. No more delay.

We need to see the list of tax avoiders now. If the list makes a connection with any candidate, we should know. Whatever party member is involved, a great disservice is done to anyone deprived of this information.

I fear there is information hidden that may have an effect on our votes.

BTW: I'm sick of all this baloney. One thing after another. I would not be shocked to see some familiar names on the list. Twisted, disguised, hidden but there. I no longer have any faith in our government and feel that we have no voice in that is being done behind the backs of the 99%.

[Ferd Berfel]

2. I expect to see 'familiar names' on this list

And I'll be surprised if ALL of the familiar names are dropped in a first pass. It might impact the election .

[JudyM]

4. I agree wholeheartedly. We're being scammed. Our tax dollars are used to support the puppet masters.

[lastone]

3. If anyone was even remotely paying attention to these revelations - -

Bernie Sanders would win this election in a landslide.

Fuck these treasonous bastards.

[Uncle Joe]

5. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Ferd Berfel.