Opinion: Candidate Release of Tax Returns Expected, Not Enforced
Christian Segers, Associate Editor
Image used under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 2.0 license.
Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are soley those of the original author and do notrepresent those of The Vision NGU or North Greenville University.
Traditional campaigning has been put on the back-burner in the 2016 election cycle, including the unspoken rule that candidates must first publish their tax returns for the American people before accepting their party’s nomination to be Commander-in-Chief. But to borrow the words of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, that unspoken rule is simply, “Wrong.”
The release of tax return’s by presidential candidates can show a few things:
· Who they owe
· How much they put in to the pot for the rest of America and her interests
· What or who they financially support
· What or who supports them financially
· Investments (both long-term and short-term)
· If they hold any foreign assets (often in order to avoid taxation)
Although the mainstream media would have the American people believe that in order to become POTUS candidates must first release their tax returns to the public, candidates are in no way obligated to do so.
The expectation first arose during the infamous administration of Richard Nixon, the tarnished president better known for his Watergate scandal than the numerous bills he passed to promote growth or restoration for the country that elected him. However, during the final year of his presidency, Nixon came under fire due to the investigative reporting of Jack White for the Providence Journal-Bulletin. White uncovered the truth about Nixon’s taxes (or lack there of) and published articles concerning the obscene tax breaks afforded to Nixon under loopholes provided due to his presidency.
According to the New York Times, Nixon paid, “…only $792.81 in 1970 and $878.03 in 1971, despite having income exceeding $400,000.”
This revelation spurred candidates post-Nixon to afford the American public the opportunity to view their otherwise private records. In this way, private citizens and the general media alike were able to be sure there was no dodgy dealings or shady manipulations that might line the pockets of the powerful.
As a politician, Trump has repeatedly come under fire for his refusal to make his tax returns public. However, Trump has reportedly been advised not to release his records by his lawyers, due to the confidentiality the inner workings of his business empire maintains.
Matt Webster, a sophomore math major at North Greenville University said, “Trump not releasing his tax returns under the advisement of his lawyers proves nothing. I think Hillary’s ‘guilty until proven innocent’ approach is un-american.”
Webster’s comments make reference to the Democrat nominee’s constant statements that Trump must be hiding something from the American people, despite Trump’s vehement denial.
Webster continued, “Presidential candidates shouldn’t have to release any private information prior to their inauguration. However, I believe they can of their own will, as a sign of good faith to the American people.”
I am of the same opinion as Webster. There is no written law that states that American presidential candidates must adhere to a release of their own, personal documents for full disclosure to the world, so they should not feel pressured into it. Needless to say, if candidates feel so led, then by all means they should publish their tax records.
With that being said, I do believe that many Americans think that the release of tax records is vital to garner their respective votes. To those that hold this opinion, I would be forced to admit that it carries some merit. But to those same individuals, I would also ask if they too wouldn’t mind their own spending and income history permanently available on demand for the world to see? I don’t think I would.
