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People make the argument that it's a measure of character, but I don't buy it. I kind of like that it has provided a concrete example of how different people p
by MartinCron 14y ago
People make the argument that it's a measure of character, but I don't buy it.
I kind of like that it has provided a concrete example of how different people pay vastly different effective tax rates, but that could have been done in a bunch of different ways.
- jack-r-abbit 14y agoA measure of character? Jeez... I hope we don't have too many people measuring a person's character based on the thickness of their wallet.
- Karunamon 14y agoWell, when a guy is running on a platform of being as American as mom and apple pie, it wouldn't look good for him to be using all kinds of offshore tax havens and loopholes.
- MartinCron 14y agoI think it is more about the aggressiveness if their loophole exploitation than mere thickness.
- jack-r-abbit 14y agoJust like I encourage my tax man to find every possible way for me to reduce my tax burden, I would expect everyone to do that. A loophole is a legal way to do that. If a person has the know-how to aggressively find and use the resources available to them... that shows a great deal of character to me. Don't hate the player... hate the game. You have a problem with a loophole, lobby to get it closed. Or use it also. But I imagine this view is not shared by everyone.
- rilkeanheart 14y agoI think the intent is for the candidate to show that he/she has not been involved in illegal/suspicious activity. Back in the 70's a sitting VP had to leave office due to charges of extortion, bribery, and others (see Wikipedia on Spiro Agnew). It was Mitt's father, George, who began the voluntary practice of disclosing tax records.