A call for full disclosure and publication of tax returns

[rambot]

What about birth certificates for officials who are minorities?

 

[zephcom]

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.

I'm beginning to get it. What if our friend is, in reality, one of those Russian citizens hired to pretend to be an American to disrupt American social media??

His passive/aggressive attempts here to defend Congressional graft and corruption would indicate an interest other than American.

 

[Hank77]

How will tax returns change that?

Transparency has a way of keeping people honest and what @variant said.

 

[variant]

I'm beginning to get it. What if our friend is, in reality, one of those Russian citizens hired to pretend to be an American to disrupt American social media??

His passive/aggressive attempts here to defend Congressional graft and corruption would indicate an interest other than American.

Or some interest in Congressional and Government graft.

 

[GlabrousDory4]

Transparency has a way of keeping people honest and what @variant said.

To be fair to Hammster (who didn't actually make anything like an actual claim, that's not his style), but Hammster is likely correct: tax forms will not show the individual investments.

BUT SEC filings might. It is not uncommon for top C-suite executives list their own sales of the company they work for (sometimes called "insider transactions"). So it would require an additional set of forms to be made publically available. Not so much the tax forms.

 

[Hammster]

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

I haven’t seen a good argument for it yet.

 

[Hammster]

The Congress can see yours.

It’s not impressive.

 

[Hammster]

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.

Bullying?

I believe you started out quoting me. I didn’t know you were looking for an echo chamber.

 

[zephcom]

I haven’t seen a good argument for it yet.

For what it is worth, whether you see a 'good argument' or not isn't that important. If the masses see a good argument, that is important.

 

[Hammster]

Transparency has a way of keeping people honest and what @variant said.

Why stop at tax returns then?

 

[zephcom]

Why stop at tax returns then?

Where did anybody say that?

 

[Hammster]

For what it is worth, whether you see a 'good argument' or not isn't that important. If the masses see a good argument, that is important.

Yeah, the masses are alway right.

 

[Hammster]

Where did anybody say that?

I just did.

 

[GlabrousDory4]

Why stop at tax returns then?

Agreed. SEC filings might be important as well.

I think the key is that this starts a conversation. It starts an ideal. A plan, if you will, to ensure that ethics are actually adhered to in our government.

 

[zephcom]

I just did.

Actually, you asked a question. You didn't make a statement.

 

[GlabrousDory4]

Where did anybody say that?

No one did, but that is how this conversation is going to go now.

 

[zephcom]

Agreed. SEC filings might be important as well.

I think the key is that this starts a conversation. It starts an ideal. A plan, if you will, to ensure that ethics are actually adhered to in our government.

Indeed. Graft and corruption is widely accepted as real within Congress. To insure that citizens are comfortable with the idea that Congress is trying make a better country for us instead of making more money for themselves by selling the favors of the nation to the highest bidder, controls need to be put in place.

 

[variant]

I haven’t seen a good argument for it yet.

We already did something similar which made a significant impact. Then Congress decided to put a stop to the disclosures.

 

[Hammster]

Actually, you asked a question. You didn't make a statement.

Split hairs, then.

 

[camille70]

Personally if someone is against something, like reducing drug prices or regulating a certain industry, I'd like to know if they would stand to lose money or incur costs. If they are for something, like allowing a harmful chemical, I'd like to know if they have investments in the company. It's bad enough some make decisions against the interest or desire of the majority of their constituents because of campaign donations.