I am now of the opinion that the tax returns are probably hiding something criminal or embarrassing

[kentuck]

There is an old saying that behind every great fortune is a great crime. I am now thinking that Mitt Romney may not be the exception to that rule.

He puts forth a good excuse for his followers. It gives them a reason to continue supporting Mr Romney and to continue hating Mr Obama. But it is a false choice that he offers.

It is not up to Barack Obama whether or not Mitt Romney is transparent with the American people. Mitt Romney does not want the Obama campaign picking apart, distorting, and lying about his tax returns. What could possibly be in his returns that could be distorted or lied about that Mitt Romney has not already distorted and lied about?

Some might say there is nothing illegal or criminal, only embarrassing. What could be in them that he does not want people to see? Should this obstruction disqualify him from running for office, not just the Presidency but any political office, right down to dogcatcher?

I think much of what he is trying to hide is probably in the returns of 2000-2002? He does not want some in management at Bain Capital to see the details of his agreement or the amount of money that he actually received when he was not there? Mitt Romney is a very secretive person. He is also very arrogant. And that is a combination that does not bode well for someone in the public eye.

Also, in my opinion, he has many more foreign companies under his control than anyone knows at this time. He has much more money than anyone has estimated. On top of that, he has paid little taxes on anything until 2010 and 2011. Coincidentally, those are the only two returns that he has agreed to make public.

Could there be something illegal that he has done? He has lied on an SEC form. That is illegal. Those returns, especially those 2000 to 2002, could show him to be guilty of a criminal offense. Of course, he would not want to show those. He would refuse to make public under any circumstances. And that is what he is doing. He is hiding them to cover himself, not to keep others from picking apart, distorting, and lying about them. He is deceiving his Party and the American people and should be called to task for doing so.

If he cannot find a way to make his tax returns transparent by the time of the Republican convention, then his Party should look for another nominee. They would have every right and should be applauded for doing the right thing if that is their decision?

[Ishoutandscream2]

1. Oh yeah, right there with you

[emulatorloo]

2. Also, there has been speculation he paid ZERO taxes in 2009

There were several DU threads today which linked articles that explained this theory.

I'm remembering that Ezra Klein had written a good one at Washingon Post.

[kentuck]

4. I think he probably only paid taxes in 2010 and 2011...

and the other years would be so damaging that they would destroy him. And that is why he will never show them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Probably not criminal, but almost certainly embarrassing

and politically damaging to a considerable degree. Otherwise he'd have released them already rather than risk the political damage resulting from not doing so.

[railsback]

6. Not entirely true

A man of so much wealth could pay certain agents to look the other way.

[Angry Dragon]

5. In 1999 he owned all the shares of Bain

When did he sell these shares??
Listed as owner of Bain and CEO
Does he still own these shares??
If he still owns them then he is is still making money from Bain and because of that he could still be held accountable for what Bain does today ..............

Let us see the tax returns because we do not trust you

[lastlib]

7. MAYBE......... :smack forehead: .....he didn't FILE any other tax returns.....!

Makes you want to go "HMMMMMmmmmmmm.............."

[HooptieWagon]

9. He gave McCain tax returns from 2007 and earlier.

I cant imagine he didnt file in 08 and 09.

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

8. What happens if

What happens if, after a lengthy buildup, they release the tax forms and there's nothing there, like McCain suggested? Does all of this backfire? I'm becoming a bit concerned about the ongoing emphasis of this one area. But I'm also an acknowledged worry wart.

[HooptieWagon]

10. If theres nothing there

Then theres no reason for him to take all the heat for not showing them. Something IS there. Im inclined to think its the Swiss bank account amnesty. If he DID reveal those accounts in 09, he would have complied with the law... but he would take a LOT of flak for cheating on his taxes the years prior. Yes, that would be a big enough scandal to destroy his camdidacy. Or his returns may reveal he cheated his church on tithings. While not illegal, and most voters wont care, the church may excommunicate him whicj would be quite a public embarassment.