You’re running for president of the United States.
It’s a grueling event. It has required candidates to do things they dislike doing, but they do them anyway.
One of those things is to reveal to the public they intend to govern how much they pay in taxes to the federal government. Presidential candidates have been doing it since 1976. It’s not required by law; candidates just do it. Some do so more willingly than others.
So, when a media representative asks the candidate about his or her tax rate, how much they pay in taxes, how is the candidate supposed to respond?
Donald J. Trump got that question this morning from George Stephanopoulos on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America.” Trump’s response? “It’s none of your business.”
Well, actually it is.
The man now presumed to be theĀ Republican Party’s next presidential nominee is throwing out tax plans left and right. He’s back-tracking, switching his views, telling us what he intends to do — before he changes his mind — about how much money he wants the rest of us to pay in taxes.
Trump has been less-than-forthcoming on his tax returns. He won’t release them for public review, contending that the Internal Revenue Service is in the midst of an audit. IRS officials respond with, “So what?” He still can release the returns.
Trump won’t do it.
Then he tells a network news anchor that the information is “none of your business.”
It is absolutely our business to know how much a man who wants to be president pays in taxes to the government — our government, the one financed by American taxpayers.
Of course, the president doesn’t set tax policy by himself — or herself. Tax legislation originates in the House of Representatives. As the saying goes, “The president proposes, Congress disposes.”
Still, if a president is going to propose tax policy to Congress — which might then become law that has a direct impact on every American’sĀ household income — then the public has a right to know whether the presidential candidate is paying his or her fair share.
Who determines what is fair? We do.
Watched the interview this morning and George grilled him ! Usually I change the channel when DT is on, can’t stand to listen to him and his ugly rhetoric. I agree, he should release his tax returns even if he is being audited!
The IRS says there’s no conflict with a “routine audit” and the release of tax returns. Makes me wonder … uhh … you know?