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Once upon a time, back in the bad old days, there was a man named George Romney who actually built things at a place called American Motors. This crazy man called the Big 3 (Ford-Chrysler-GM) 'gas guzzling dinosaurs'!

Fuel Economy! Whazzup with that, George?

Anyway, Romney decided to run for President, and released twelve years of tax returns. You can imagine all the shenanigans that were in there!

Shenanigans like the fact he only paid 50% of his income in taxes! And whenever he thought he was overpaid, he gave it back the company. AND he helped create a profit-sharing plan with the United Autoworkers Union.

I'm SURE the reason his son is only releasing two years of taxes is that he doesn't want to besmirch the memory of his father by showing how much more generous and unselfish he has been.

So what? Romney hasn't done anything illegal, unethical, or immoral regarding taxes. Every tax filing American is glad to find exceptions, shelters, and loopholes to save money. Even Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, have been happy to pass them. State governments even give specific businesses a pass in order to attract business. But inherently not understanding economics, the Democrats continue to price labor out of the American market and into Mexico et. al.

Of course Romney has released more information than Obama has released. Time for Obama and the Democrats to put up or shut up if they want to win. The electorate so far is not buying their arguments.

bcspace wrote:So what? Romney hasn't done anything illegal, unethical, or immoral regarding taxes.

You don't know that, because you haven't seen his tax filings...

bcspace wrote:So what? Romney hasn't done anything illegal, unethical, or immoral regarding taxes.

Then WHY not release his returns? Put those ugly rumors to rest!

Some Republicans who want Romney to release more tax returns: George Will, William Kristol, Ron Paul, Michael Steele, Haley Barbour, Rick Perry, Pete Sessions, Brit Hume, David Frumm, Charles Grassley, and Dick Lugar. These people are not what you call Obama backers.

The income gap is something that Romney felt should be discussed in 'quiet rooms'. No doubt he feels the same way about his tax returns.

Either way, it's all part of the mushroom theory of management: "Feed them sh*t, and keep them in the dark."

bcspace wrote:Every tax filing American is glad to find exceptions, shelters, and loopholes to save money.

Other than those who file a 1040EZ or a 1040A.

bcspace wrote:Even Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, have been happy to pass them. State governments even give specific businesses a pass in order to attract business.

I certainly agree with you that both Democrats and Republicans share responsibility for the loopholes in the tax code.

Funny though how some people complain about how much the Government interferes with their lives until it comes to writing a specific tax exemption for them. Then they are all for Government meddling. That's why the United States has the finest tax code a lobbyist can buy.

bcspace wrote:But inherently not understanding economics, the Democrats continue to price labor out of the American market and into Mexico et. al.

Well this last bit seems a Non Sequitur, given that we were talking about Romney's tax returns, but while we're here....

Is your contention that the American dream is for the blue-collar worker to rise to the standard of living of blue collar labor in Mexico or China? In 2005, the average Chinese worker made 3% of what their American counterpart received, so I guess there's nothing but blue skies ahead for the American worker.

Curiously, no one ever seems to suggest that American EXECUTIVE compensation packages should be commensurate with their counterparts in the rest of the world.

People say government can't create jobs, then scream for the government to give them tax breaks to create jobs. But do they create jobs?

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

If you want to look at how tax breaks can effect jobs, consider how much e-commerce is due to the fact that internet transactions don't collect sales tax. How much revenue is lost for the states? How many bookstores have closed, and how many workers laid off? Look at Amazon. Read articles about what it's like to work in a 'fulfillment center'. Read about how Jeff Bezos wants to replace even these workers with robots

But cheer up, American workers! At least you don't have to compete with Mexican robots! (for now...)

bcspace wrote:Of course Romney has released more information than Obama has released. Time for Obama and the Democrats to put up or shut up if they want to win. The electorate so far is not buying their arguments.

Romney has released tax returns for 2010 and 2011. Obama has released tax returns going back to 2000. The Tax History Project is a good source, showing tax returns going back to FDR's in 1913.