A call for full disclosure and publication of tax returns

[Hammster]

I guess a lesson in civics is necessary. These are people who will hold absolute control of both the nation and its citizens. They will be deciding the direction our lives will take.

And we are expected to decide which of the people presented to us we want to do that job. We should have the best factual information we can get about them before we vote. Tax returns which the people know will be audited provide as factual information we can hope to get.

If they don't like the requirements for the job they don't have to apply.

Where is this listed as a requirement (since you are giving civics lessons)?

 

[Hammster]

Sure, although I'm not in high public office. But okay, I'll make that deal. Public access to all tax returns. No exceptions, no executive privilege. No nothing. Just transparency.

Go ahead and post yours, then.

 

[Hammster]

We are DISCUSSING making that condition.

Gotcha. My bad.

 

[Hammster]

Since legislators and executives control policy we need to know any conflicts of interest.

One of the things that I dislike most about Nancy Pelosi is that she was able to make use of a legal loop hole that allowed her to trade some credit card company stock at about the same time as the House was considering legislation on credit cards.

Let's stop making our government a way to enrich the rich.

How do you know she did that? Was that part of her disclosed tax return?

 

[zephcom]

Where is this listed as a requirement (since you are giving civics lessons)?

Once again, we are discussing making it a requirement. Once it becomes a requirement, they get to choose whether they want the job or not.

 

[GlabrousDory4]

How do you know she did that? Was that part of her disclosed tax return?

This was in the news a couple years ago.

Confronting Pelosi on insider trading

 

[Hammster]

Once again, we are discussing making it a requirement. Once it becomes a requirement, they get to choose whether they want the job or not.

Not much of a civics lesson then, was it?

 

[GlabrousDory4]

Yep. We live in a world which makes all sorts of demands on us for the privilege of acquiring jobs.

The people who apply to us to run the nation should expect their returns...and now that I think of it...the results of their annual audit as part of that application.

Indeed. If we can make employees in companies voluntarily give up their 4th Amendment Rights as a condition of employment we can ask public servants to do the same. We don't need to see their urine, we need to see their economic control points (potential conflicts).

Arguably drug testing a janitor makes far less sense than "conflict testing" a politician.

 

[Hammster]

This was in the news a couple years ago.

Confronting Pelosi on insider trading

Apparently tax returns wouldn’t have changed anything.

 

[variant]

Why is it necessary?

Well for one, because it's not illegal for members of the government to do insider trading.

Why Congressional Insider Trading Is Legal - and Profitable - Investment U

The President is the first in a generation to keep his tax returns secret.

 

[Hammster]

Well for one, because it's not illegal for members of the government to do insider trading.

Why Congressional Insider Trading Is Legal - and Profitable - Investment U

How will tax returns change that?

 

[zephcom]

Well for one, because it's not illegal for members of the government to do insider trading.

Why Congressional Insider Trading Is Legal - and Profitable - Investment U

Note to self:

When the Constitutional Convention is called remember to include prohibiting lawmakers from exempting themselves from any law they pass.

 

[GlabrousDory4]

Apparently tax returns wouldn’t have changed anything.

Indeed. But, hopefully you see the point. My original point was that I dislike economic conflict of interest in the people who run our country. I merely included it to show how those conflicts CAN arise and be bad.

Look at my handle here on Christian Forums. The second part: dory4. That's kind of a pun. But it stands for a real word: "doryphore" . I'm assuming you can look it up on your own or you may already know the word.

I have to say, though, that I must bow in respect to the TRUE doryphore on Christian Forums American Politics forum. I'm saying this in all seriousness. You make me feel bad for having chosen that handle for myself. It seems like I should give it to you.

 

[variant]

How will tax returns change that?

It will show us exactly how much money and when congresspeople made from their insider trades.

You have to report the date of the trades, then it will be a simple matter of matching them up to when congresspeople had information on legislation.

 

[Hammster]

Indeed. But, hopefully you see the point. My original point was that I dislike economic conflict of interest in the people who run our country. I merely included it to show how those conflicts CAN arise and be bad.

Look at my handle here on Christian Forums. The second part: dory4. That's kind of a pun. But it stands for a real word: "doryphore" . I'm assuming you can look it up on your own or you may already know the word.

I have to say, though, that I must bow in respect to the TRUE doryphore on Christian Forums American Politics forum. I'm saying this in all seriousness. You make me feel bad for having chosen that handle for myself. It seems like I should give it to you.

Your point fell short. Since that article, she’s been re-elected four times. Four. So those that vote for her don’t really care.

 

[Hammster]

It will show us exactly how much money and when congresspeople made from their insider trades.

You have to report the date of the trades, then it will be a simple matter of matching them up to when congresspeople had information on legislation.

And you think folks will care?

 

[zephcom]

And you think folks will care?

Do you think we shouldn't do this just in case folks don't care???

 

[variant]

And you think folks will care?

Yes. Proven and overt corruption would make a difference. So would the eventual federal investigations.

When disclosure regulations were applied in the Obama administration stock trading by congress plunged 50%.

They are back up due to congress amending those disclosure regulations.

 

[Hank77]

Should we see yours as well?

The Congress can see yours.

 

[GlabrousDory4]

Your point fell short. Since that article, she’s been re-elected four times. Four. So those that vote for her don’t really care.

My point doesn't fall short. I pointed out that it was a reason for oversight of all politicians.

Why the bullying on this point? Am I not allowed an opinion that I want oversight on politicians? I don't get it.