Dear Governor Romney, I am one of “you people” and I am demanding that you release your tax returns. Your father did it willingly and you need to follow. Please do not try to divert attention by calling Harry Reid a liar or by demanding to see President Obama’s transcripts. The issue is you.
So release your transcripts or release your delegates.
Ron Pies
Tempe
Arizona Willie posted at 9:29 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
It is my opinion that Romney doesn't want to realease his returns because he identified his occupation as CEO of Bain Capital on them and he has repeatedly denied having any input to the operations of Bain when it destroyed thousands of jobs and sent them offshore.
The fact his name appears on the SEC filings makes it appear he has been ... ummm ... less than truthful and if he identified himself on his tax returns as CEO also it would PROVE him a LIAR as well as putting responsibility for the vulture capitalism squarely on his shoulders.
What puzzles me is why the Democrats are not bringing this out.
If I can figure out why Romney wants to hide his returns --- why can't they?
mesateacher posted at 9:32 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
When I hear the left demand for Romney's tax returns, it's usually accompanied with "what's he hiding?" When Americans begin to accept the idea that "Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear" we are in real trouble. There have been many leaders in the past 100 years who held that philosophy: Stalin, Lenin, Hitler to name but three. Maybe Harry Reid is hiding things; we have NONE of his tax returns. It's troubling that the press wants more from Romney, but didn't look into Obama's college records four years ago. This "we want to see your papers" mentality is sickening and dangerous. Go Mitt! These leftist, communist fools are looking for anything to use against you. Obama has a poor record and can't run on it, so they're grasping. Don't give any more tax returns until we see Reid's!
downtownresident posted at 9:52 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
mesateacher ,
Your radical, right wing, party line rant is so boring............
The ultea rcih cannot relate, nor connect the common voters. The "you people" comment just demonstrates the amazing contempt the ultra-rich have for common folk.
Being rich and Mormon DOES NOT QUALIFY Mittens to be president.
Mitt wants to be King, not president. Remember, he'll have his own golden planet in "his" after life. with 30 virgins, to boot.
How normal is that?
bobbymac27 posted at 10:37 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
Why is Obama refusing to release his transcripts? W did, Kerry did, Gore did...Who cares if he is wealthy, Obama Admin. cannot pin point his issues with Bain Cap. Since when have any politicians cared about "we the people"? Especially this current administration. If we the people look at the facts, Obama has not delivered on ANYTHING!! He can't blame congress, he had the majority his first 2 years. Face it, he is an amatuer
chatmandu002 posted at 10:41 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
Ron,
You being a person probably from the left side of the political spectrum must believe that anyone rich must be bad. You must assume that they are hiding something and they have gotten rich because of evil misdoings. While myself a member of the right political spectrum believe that being rich isn't necessarily a bad thing or that you have achieved success through evil means.
You being a member of left side believe that the big government must protect us all from evil, would probably trust the working of our government and it's departments to bring evil and law breaking rich people to justice. I therefore submit that you should trust that the IRS has done a complete and thorough audit of Mitt Romney's taxes over the years and have found him to be in compliance of our tax codes and tax payments. Otherwise your belief in our big government would be shattered. Where as I would, as a member of the right side, take the IRS audits as true fact and believe that Romney has done nothing illegal or immoral.
Arizona Willie posted at 2:07 pm on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
chatmanu002 --- no one has said Romney did anything ILLEGAL.
The problem is that he claimed he had nothing to do with Bain Capital when it offshored thousands of jobs and engaged in vulture capitalism.
BUT ... SEC forms filed by Bain Capital listed him as CEO and sole stockholder.
That makes it appear as though Romney was lying because companies DO NOT put the name of an ex-CEO on the forms they file with the SEC.
If Romney listed his occupation on his tax returns as CEO of Bain Capital during the time in question -- then he can't blame it on a paper work error ( which is a ridiculous claim ) -- it PROVES HE LIED when he denied having any input in to Bain.
Once again .. no one says he cheated on his taxes. The question in my mind is what did he claim his occupation was and did he or did he not receive income from Bain during the time he says he wasn't involved?
If he received income or listed himself as CEO it is bad bad bad for him, especially if he listed himself as CEO. He also said he didn't receive any income but that would be less important than being in control during the vulture capitalism.
And, today it comes to light that he required the candidates for VP to show him MULTIPLE years of tax returns -- while he refuses to show his own.
HE IS HIDING SOMETHING.
Cerulean posted at 4:48 pm on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
bobbymac
What would President Obama’s college transcripts tell you? Would they tell you that President Obama graduated from Columbia with a 3.7 GPA, and while that is very good his GPA did not match Mitts from Brigham Young University at 3.9. Would it tell you that President Obama went on to become the president of the Harvard Law Review or that Mitt Romney graduated in the top 5 percent of his Harvard Business School graduating class? Is that what you want to know?
Conservative blogger Brooks Bayne said that the reason he wants to see President Obama’s transcript is because “they sure found George Bush’s college transcripts, didn’t they?” I will not mention G. Bush Jr.’s GPA, we all know that he graduated (barely). Are conservatives worried that President Obama is smarter than former President George Bush Jr.?
chatmandu002 posted at 10:07 am on Mon, Aug 13, 2012.
Willie, Willie, Willie,
You accuse Romney of lying on his forms, which is illegal, and then you say you weren't accusing him of anything illegal. Is the leave of absence from his CEO position at Bain Capital to help run the Olympics in Utah disqualify him from remaining the CEO of Bain Capital while the Chief Operating Officer, COO ran Bain Capital? Why is this such a problem for you to understand? Have you never hear of a "leave of absence before? The fact the Romney decided to retire from the CEO of Bain Capital after the Olympics does not make him a liar. He may have returned to do his yearly board meeting as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Bain Capital but that does not make him in charge of the day to day operations of Bain Capital. I guess some people just can't understand the operations of a major corporation and automatically think the worse if that is their political mindset.
Arizona Willie posted at 12:00 pm on Mon, Aug 13, 2012.
chatmandu002 ... you need to take a course in reading comprehension.
I DID NOT accuse Romney of lying on his income tax forms.
Bain Capital filed forms with the SEC which listed Romney as CEO and sole stockholder.
Companies DO NOT list the name of retired / ex - CEO'S on their SEC filings.
However, it wouldn't have been Romney who filed those forms.
But, that indicates that Romney WAS indeed in charge of Bain during the period he says he had no input because he doesn't want to accept blame for the vulture capitalism. He also said he didn't receive any money from Bain during the period.
So the point is --- if Romney himself claimed on his income tax forms that he was CEO of Bain during the period in question -- then it proves he lied about being responsible for the actions of Bain Capital. If he listed his occupation as CEO of Bain it shows he DID consider himself in charge of Bain.
If he received substantial income from Bain during the period ... that shows he lied about receiving any money from Bain.
Now try very hard to understand this --- NONE OF THOSE THINGS WERE ILLEGAL.
Many people though consider vulture capitalism to be immoral.
That would be a different debate.
Now it is also very curious that he provided McCain with 20 some years of his tax returns when he was a candidate for VP last time around, but now he refuses to show more than two years.
Also after McCain saw Romney's tax returns --- he chose Palin.
What did McCain see in those returns that he decided he didn't want anything to do with Romney?
And, of course, it has come out that Romney REQUIRED the candidates to run as his VP to provide him SEVERAL YEARS of < their > tax returns. And again he refuses to show his.
If this was Obama refusing to show his tax returns you would be screaming ' COVER UP ' to the high heavens.
Dale Whiting posted at 12:23 pm on Mon, Aug 13, 2012.
Willies points are best taken.
VofReason posted at 1:05 pm on Mon, Aug 13, 2012.
Really- who cares. This is a red herring. Romney was a successful businessman. That we know. President Obama has shoved Obamacare down the public's throat and done nothing to improve unemployment and therefore the economy. Down town resident "The ultea rcih cannot relate, nor connect the common voters". Right and President Obama is poor and therefore knows exactly what common voters want? Better yet, then under your logic we should elect someone who is unsuccessful and can barely support themselves to portray the will of the common man. Really?
downtownresident posted at 1:25 pm on Mon, Aug 13, 2012.
Arizona Willie ,
Mormons and most other ultra-rich people think it's perfectly OK to lie to "those people", as in you and me.
Russell Pearce proved this with Olivia Cortez and now with the sham "teachers organization" pretending to be something other than a PAC. This stinks of Greg Western and the dirty, unethical Tea Party operatives that have no conscience.
chatmandu002 posted at 1:45 pm on Mon, Aug 13, 2012.
It' like talking to a wall.........
k33j88 posted at 5:53 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
The companies that bain invested in came to become successful. These corporations hired from the local community and re-invested in such. This attack is a ploy to divert from the real issues. The POTUS wants to "fundamentally change" this nation into something we won't recognize.
Arizona Willie posted at 6:35 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
chatmandu --- yes --- trying to get the logic of why Romney's tax returns matter past the ideological fog that surrounds your conciousness is indeed like talking to a wall.
Arizona Willie posted at 6:36 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
k33j88 -- name which company Bain invested in that became successful.
Bain Capital made money by buying companies and stripping the assets and leaving a useless hulk.
Bain made money by KILLING companies -- not by making them successful.
mrconservative posted at 9:17 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
DId John Kerry ever release his tax returns? As far as I know, he did not. And he (Kerry) and his wife are at least as rich as Romney and his wife; maybe even more.
mrconservative posted at 9:18 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
Romney left Bain in 1999. That much we already know. So quit accusing him of being a liar, people. Obama has lied over and over, and you never condemn him for it.
Arizona Willie posted at 9:38 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
mrconservative -- Bain Capital filed forms for years after 1999 listing Romney as CEO and sole stockholder.
Companies DO NOT list ex-CEO's on their SEC filings.
Now Romney wants to say he resigned retroactively - ha ha ha ha.
The plain fact ( unpleasant as it is to right wingers ) is that Romney claimed to have no input to the operations of Bain after he went to the Olympics but yet he was listed as CEO and sole stockholder on SEC filings.
SEC filings are sacred legal documents.
Romney wants to claim it was a " paperwork error " == YEAH RIGHT.
However, IF Romeny listed his occuption as CEO of Bain on his tax returns for the years in question -- it proves that at that time he considered himself as CEO and therefore responsible for the actions of Bain Capital.
Which makes his claim that he had no input to Bain operations a LIE.
All he has to do to prove otherwise is release the tax forms.
He CAN'T because the forms prove him a liar.
After McCain saw Romney's tax forms he dropped him from VP consideration and chose that idiot Palin. What did McCain see on Romney's tax forms that made him want to have nothing to do with Romney?
It is a very SIMPLE issue. Did Romney declare himself CEO of Bain at any time after he claims he left Bain or not?
The tax forms would settle the issue.
Romney refuses to show the forms.
If this was OBAMA you right wingers would be SCREAMING " cover up ".
Cerulean posted at 9:39 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
Az Willie, [thumbup][thumbup] your points are well taken.
Dale Whiting posted at 11:14 am on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
Willie,
Allow me to step in for k33j88 who appears to have become pre-occupied. One of the companies "rescued" by Bain was Staples. If I recall correctly, another was Sports Authority. But whether the count of those rescued inceeds those that were drowned is not the real issue. In the "Private Sector" sink or swim is the only moral directive.
And regardless of how successful Bain was in the private sector in restructuring or terminating companies, Mitt Romney is running for President of the United States, not a private office [not yet, at least. Some thnk it's up for sale!]
Romney is running for President of the most public office known to mankind. And being public, having private sector business experience is not necessary helpful nor wise for candidates to that office.
We need to cut unnecessary government public sector spending. Paul Ryan's approach to increase defense sector spending, likely contractor spending, is not consistent with Ike's warning to beware. What can be more useless than waging more war? And few presidential candidates have had experience with the Military.
My favorite candidate would have been Collin Powell. But he would not run. Rather he, a member of the Bush 43 cabinett endorsed Barack Obama in 2008. Having read McCain's and Obama's books, Powell's endorsement was enough for me.
I wonder if we will be hearing from Powell again in 2012?
Engaged Voter posted at 12:08 pm on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
"When I hear the left demand for Romney's tax returns"
Mesateacher, you need to educate yourself.
The demand for Romney's tax returns can from REPUBLICANS during the Republican primary. I guess Fox News left that part out. ;)
Engaged Voter posted at 12:11 pm on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
Oh look, mrconservative is back!
(he still can't answer or support the claims he made, but oh well)
And rather than address the issue, he evades with Kerry and Obama.
What IS it with these people? They believe things with no proof, and deny things for which there IS proof. Madness.
VofReason posted at 1:32 pm on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
So what your saying is that you don't believe that the IRS did a good check over Romney's taxes and now it is for the public to make sure he did. Perfectly logical since we know that the public at large is much better at assessing correctly filed taxes then the IRS. Oh here is something, President Obama is not good at being President. Has not turned the economy in 3+ years. Now there is a chance to give the opportunity to someone who has run a business successfully to give it a try. So, you can pick the one with no business experience that proved he cannot do it or the one with business experience. Up to you
Arizona Willie posted at 2:25 pm on Tue, Aug 14, 2012.
VofReason, I realize that since you are a right winger I need to slowly repeat things over and over.
So -- one more time -- no one is saying Romney cheated on his taxes or that there was anything wrong about his tax forms at all. No one is questioning the mathematical accuracy. How could we == when he won't show them?
No -- the issue is whether or not Romney declared himself to be the CEO of Bain Capital on his Income Tax Form or not after 1999 when he said he no longer had any input into Bain's operations. I belive he also said he didn't receive any income from Bain anymore after 1999.
Bain Capital filed forms with the SEC after 1999 listing Romney as CEO and sole stockholder. The SEC takes those filings very seriously. Companies DO NOT list an ex- CEO as the current CEO on those forms. If a company somehow makes a mistake they file an amended form. None were filed.
The fact that Bain continued to file forms with the SEC listing Romney as CEO makes it appear as though Romney did not tell the truth about whether or not he had any input into Bain's operations. He doesn't want to take responsibility for the vulture capitalism Bain engaged in.
IF Romney identified his occupation on his tax forms after 1999 as CEO of Bain then it PROVES he considered himself in control and therefore responsible for the actions of Bain Capital.
THAT is the main reason he should show his taxes -- to prove whether he told the truth or not.
He also said he didn't receive any income from Bain and his tax returns would clairify that also.
We can all understand why righties don't want their hero to reveal his feet of clay.
But if this was Obama HIDING his tax returns the righties would be SCREAMING " cover up " and demanding his head on a platter.
An interesting side question is " Why did McCain dump Romney off his ticket after he saw Romney's returns? ".
What did McCain see?
Now let's repeat this one more time again so you have a fair chance to understand --- NO ONE is saying Romney cheated on his taxes or that there was anything wrong with his tax filings at all.
Got that?
I hope so.
Now let me introduce you to another concept.
The Federal Government was not designed to be a business. It is not SUPPOSED to be a profit making organization. It exists to serve the needs of the people -- not investors.
So a businessman is the WRONG KIND of person to be in charge of the Government.
Past Presidents who were businessmen were failed Presidents. They did not do well.
Businessmen think they can give an order and everyone obeys.
Someone forgot to tell Congress about that.
The President, unfortunately, cannot fire Congressmen. But Congressmen CAN fire the President.
But businessmen have a mindset directed to making money. The government does NOT exist to make money.
Government needs to be ran by a political type person who can build concensus and persuade people to go a given direction.
Now don't misunderstand me .... I don't think Obama deserves re-election.
But he is 1000 times better than Romney.
k33j88 posted at 7:23 am on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
Thank you Dale for your input------Dunkin Doughnuts was another one. Being a taxpayer and not a tax user, there's no time for me to constantly sit on my fat---- to entertain your comments------az willie. In our modern-day, industrial/complex society, a strong military is our only option to avert an economic/war-filled world disaster of epic proportions. Without a strong defense capability, our world would be over-run by despotic regimes, incapable of offering the standard of living and freedoms we so lovingly cherish today. Now who was it that said, and I quote: "Walk softly and carry a big stick".
mrconservative posted at 10:16 am on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
Actually, people have said that Romney is a tax cheat - I can't recall who, but they have done it. And someone even called him a murderer! Imagine that!
Yes, EV, I'm back. I was preoccupied with the Olympics. Give me a break. If it came down to watching Michael Phelps and Gabby Douglas winning gold medals or reading comments from people like you, I'd pcik the Olympics, hands down. I'd even watch the boring stuff, like sychronized swimming or gymnasticacrobats, or whatever the heck it's called.
As for me commenting about Kerry, I was s9mply making a point. I wasn't evading anything. I don't see why it's sooooo important for Roney to release his tax returns. If John Kerry didn't do it, I don't see why Romney has to. You can't have it both ways. That's called a "contradiction" and "hypocrocy". [wink]
mrconservative posted at 10:17 am on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
"simply", not "s9mply" Hee hee!
Flinty posted at 10:37 am on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
Willie
Speaking of ideological, I paraphrase one of your comments:
yes --- trying to get the logic of why Obama's birth certificate matter past the ideological fog that surrounds your conciousness is indeed like talking to a wall.
The official certificate presented was pathetically bogus. The birth certificate is key to the legality of his presidency. The public knows nothing of Obama's background, yet you harp about wanting to know minute details of his challengers.
This is hypocrisy at its highest level.
VofReason posted at 1:20 pm on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
Again, who cares when he left Bain. Is anyone saying he did a bad job there. Or maybe, has anyone like the people who determine if he was doing a good job running their company? Here is the key, He ran something and well enough to get other opportunities to do so- ala the Olympics. President Obama- Community Organizer. No record Senator. Bad record President. You pick.
VofReason posted at 1:23 pm on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
From Willie "VofReason, I realize that since you are a right winger I need to slowly repeat things over and over."
This may surprise you, but I am doing quite well in a career and with absolutely no union ties. In fact, I don't think anyone who works for the rather large company is part of a union. Guess some just need a little more then their actual skills and experience to get a head in the world.
Arizona Willie posted at 4:41 pm on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
VofReason, people care about what Bain Capital did in a lot of it's deals.
Bain engaged in what is called " vulture capitalism " when they broke companies up and sold the pieces and sent thousands of jobs overseas.
Many people think that was morally / ethically wrong -- not legally but morally / ethically.
Romney denied having any influence / input into the decision involved in that vulture capitalism. He claimed he left in 1999 and had no further input. Because he doesn't want to take the blame for the vulture capitalism.
Bain submitted forms to the SEC after 1999 listing Romney as CEO and sole stockholder. Which makes it appear Romney isn't telling the truth about his part in vulture capitalism. He also flew back from Utah to attend board meetings.
If he listed himself as CEO on his tax returns after 1999 it proves he WAS in charge and considered himself CEO.
That's why people want to see his returns. No one really cares about how much money they show. Except that , I believe, he also claimed he didn't receive any income from Bain either. So if he declared income from Bain after 1999 that would be another fib from Romney.
Have you asked yourself why McCain dropped Romney from consideration for his VP after he saw Romney's tax returns?
If Obama refused to show his returns the right wingers would be screaming " cover up " and demanding his head --- well they demand his head anyway.
But since it's their guy well it's okay for him to hide his returns as far as the righties are concerned.
Don't you think it was hypocritical of Romney to require people on the list for his VP to show him several years of their tax returns while he hides his own?
Oh yeah, that's right, Romney has that precious R behind his name so anything he does / did is just fine. He's a Republican so he can do no wrong according to right wingers.
VofReason, I don't know why you brought unions into the discussion. They have not been an issue in this topic.
But yes I was union and proud of it.
Just as a politician will take a vote from anyone -- I'll take any edge I can get. :)
Engaged Voter posted at 4:51 pm on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
"Actually, people have said that Romney is a tax cheat"
Sources for your claim, mrconservative. Sorry, but with all the lies you've posted on these forums, your word isn't worth anything.
"hypocrocy"
The hypocrite who can't spell hypocrisy...HILARIOUS!
chatmandu002 posted at 8:25 pm on Wed, Aug 15, 2012.
Again the rainbow community comments dissolve into nothing but hate and name calling.
Exgop2006 posted at 2:22 am on Thu, Aug 16, 2012.
It is interesting how the right continues to divert attention away fom the fact that Mitt refuses to do what his father and evey other candidate has done, release his returns. There must be a reason and yes, it is important and something that the American people are entitled to see. Otherwise, release your delegates and let the Republicans nominate someone else. It is funny how the right wing wackos refuse to address the issue, directly.
Arizona Willie posted at 9:40 am on Thu, Aug 16, 2012.
Exgop2006== I don't see any thing funny about how the right wing refuses to address the issue.
The people of the United States of America are not being allowed to see the TRUTH about a candidate for President.
I'm beginning to believe that these actions in hiding Romney's returns may be criminal.
Not sure what the charge would be --- but it should be illegal for a Presidential candidate to hide his returns, especially when they hold the answers to questions about the candidates truthfulness.
I know there is no legal requirement for a Presidential candidate to reveal ANY returns.
BUT THERE SHOULD BE.
At the very least voters should be made aware that the Republican Party and Romney hold the voters in contempt and think they are so stupid they will forget all about Romney hiding his returns before the election.
It is totally hypocritical for Romney to refuse to show his tax returns while, at the same time, demanding people who want to be his VP candidate show him several years of their tax returns.
Do we really want to elect such a two faced person to the Presidency?
Engaged Voter posted at 5:36 pm on Thu, Aug 16, 2012.
I wonder why mrconservative is too afraid to support the claims he makes...
Arizona Willie posted at 9:46 am on Fri, Aug 17, 2012.
My my my it appears Ryan isn't such a goodie two shoes after all
http://www.politicususa.com/busted-paul-ryans-1-5-million-trust-left-disclosure-forms-vetted.html
Arizona Willie posted at 9:00 am on Sat, Aug 18, 2012.
What do we know about Romney's tax history?
Romney does not fill out his tax forms sitting at the kitchen table, he has teams of tax lawyers and accountants who calculate his taxes.
When Romney ran for governor of Massachusetts, he got caught claiming his residency was in Utah in order to get cheaper taxes. When caught, he did the ' my bad ' thing and paid up.
Do you really think that was a mistake?
Romney claimed that he was not responsible for Bain after he went to the Olympics in 1999, that he was no longer the CEO. However the SEC filings from Bain Capital still showed him as being CEO and sole stockholder.
Do you really think that was a mistake?
Romney refuses to reveal his tax returns from that time to prove whether or not he had declared himself to be CEO of Bain capital, and therefore responsible for Bain's vulture capitalism, on his tax returns.
When Harry Reid accused Romney of paying 0% taxes for 10 years, Romney called Harry Reid a liar.
But he refused to reveal his returns to prove Harry Reid had lied.
Sen. McCain has seen Romney's tax returns and he DID NOT call Harry Reid a liar.
When Sen. McCain saw Romney's tax returns, he dropped him from consideration as his VP and chose Palin.
What did McCain see in Romney's tax returns that made him want nothing to do with Romney?
Romney refuses to reveal more than 2 years of recent returns ( he won't show the returns from the years in question ).
But Romney DEMANDED candidates for his VP slot show him SEVERAL years of their returns.
How hypocritical can one person be?
Do we really want to elect such a two - faced person to the Presidency?