# Why won't Romney release his tax returns? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 1, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085 "2012-08-01T18:35:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/501 "2012-08-09T12:41:21Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > With Obama and Clinton, we don’t have to think; we’ve seen their tax returns. And more than just one with another on the way. > [@magellan01](#): > > There is no reason for him to release them. Everyone knows he’s a rich guy. There was no reason for all of the other presidential candidates in the last 40 years to release theirs either; we knew they were all rich too. But they did, didn’t they. What makes Mitt so special? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/502 "2012-08-09T12:42:27Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Why go through all that work. Just get fired from your job and go on the dole. Obama will definitely be your man then. Super easy. Do you seriously think that sort of thing holds water? Are you in 4th grade? ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/503 "2012-08-09T13:39:22Z")
If Romney thinks this will blow over, he’s mistaken. Reid is but one of many who can speculate on the contents of those returns. Every couple of weeks someone is going to make headlines with their speculation, “Ripped off the morman church” “Funded drug cartels” “Hookers and blow” I expect no less, either. Romney is an IDIOT for not nipping this in the bud earlier. This isn’t going away, and it shouldn’t. It says so much about republican philosophy. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/504 "2012-08-09T13:50:46Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > Do you seriously think that sort of thing holds water? Are you in 4th grade? Well, if the campaign is going to start resurrecting the welfare dogwhistle, I’m sure **magellan** feels comfortable doing so now, too… ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/505 "2012-08-09T14:09:19Z")
> [@rock\_party](#): > > This isn’t going away, and it shouldn’t. It says so much about republican philosophy. What does it say? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/506 "2012-08-09T14:15:46Z")
So, do you agree that \*\*at the very least \*\*this then makes Romney look like a huge hypocrite, even if he is ‘squeaky clean’, to have demanded tax returns from opponents in the past (and even their spouses), and now to apparently claim that his returns aren’t relevent? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/507 "2012-08-09T14:21:57Z")
Doesn’t it seem damaging to claim that his opponents could find something to distort as a rationale for not revealing them? Of course, anyone’s opponents can always distort or lie about anything. But if you don’t have a decent response to such distortions, doesn’t that say pretty bad things about your candidacy? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/508 "2012-08-09T14:31:31Z")
> [@Oldeb](#): > > Perhaps you’re unclear on what the word amnesty means. It means he was engaging in illegal acts and took a pardon in exchange for admitting it. Engaging in illegal acts is not legal, no. It’s the opposite of being “squeaky clean.” You are incorrect to imply that corporate tax amnesty involves illegality. If you disagree, please point to the illegality. You’re using The “amnesty” to narrowly, which is understandable since its a misnomer in this case. Corporate tax amnesty merely describes an incentive given by the federal government for companies to repatriate dollars that are overseas—legally—without having to suffer the usual tax penalties, and a reduced rate. Good idea or bad, it has nothing to do with illegal acts. It incentivizes companies like Coca Cola, IBM, Pfizer, McDonald’s, HP, and others to bring “permanently reinvest earnings” back to the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/509 "2012-08-09T14:31:55Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Well, if the campaign is going to start resurrecting the welfare dogwhistle, I’m sure **magellan** feels comfortable doing so now, too… How do you “resurrect” something you never let die? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/510 "2012-08-09T14:34:05Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > So, do you agree that \*\*at the very least \*\*this then makes Romney look like a huge hypocrite, even if he is ‘squeaky clean’, to have demanded tax returns from opponents in the past (and even their spouses), and now to apparently claim that his returns aren’t relevent? Possibly. I’d have to know the context. I do think it would be hypocritical if he demanded returns from Candidate X and then refused requests from Candidate X to release his own. I would have to know what he asked for specifically, why, and his rational for not releasing his own if he had, indeed been requested to do so. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/511 "2012-08-09T14:37:23Z")
[Here you go.](http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-824148) ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/512 "2012-08-09T14:37:49Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Doesn’t it seem damaging to claim that his opponents could find something to distort as a rationale for not revealing them? Of course, anyone’s opponents can always distort or lie about anything. But if you don’t have a decent response to such distortions, doesn’t that say pretty bad things about your candidacy? Not when we’re talking about thousands of pages of accounting that contain a bunch of stuff that most people, including me, would have a difficult time understanding. Do you have any doubt that his returns will be picked over and stuff will be used that “sounds bad”, but is perfectly legal? Multiply that times 10 years of complicated returns and Romney’s decision makes perfect sense. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/513 "2012-08-09T14:40:26Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Not when we’re talking about thousands of pages of accounting that contain a bunch of stuff that most people, including me, would have a difficult time understanding. Do you have any doubt that his returns will be picked over and stuff will be used that “sounds bad”, but is perfectly legal? Multiply that times 10 years of complicated returns and Romney’s decision makes perfect sense. Has this been a problem for any of the other candidates in the last 40 years? Why are only Mitt’s returns susceptible to this scrutiny? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/514 "2012-08-09T14:42:28Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Not when we’re talking about thousands of pages of accounting that contain a bunch of stuff that most people, including me, would have a difficult time understanding. Do you have any doubt that his returns will be picked over and stuff will be used that “sounds bad”, but is perfectly legal? Multiply that times 10 years of complicated returns and Romney’s decision makes perfect sense. And is hypocritical as hell. Oh, wait, I get it, his returns are special because he’s the “specialist little snowflake” to run for President in the past 40 yrs. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/515 "2012-08-09T14:44:23Z")
> [@babygoat666](#): > > [Here you go.](http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-824148) Thanks. But not enough info, even in the linked article. I’d need to hear the reason Romney offered for 1) wanting Kennedy to release his records and 2) his reasons for no releasing his own at the time, (if that is part of the allegation). ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/516 "2012-08-09T14:45:56Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Not when we’re talking about thousands of pages of accounting that contain a bunch of stuff that most people, including me, would have a difficult time understanding. Do you have any doubt that his returns will be picked over and stuff will be used that “sounds bad”, but is perfectly legal? Multiply that times 10 years of complicated returns and Romney’s decision makes perfect sense. Every presidential candidate in the last 40 years has been subject to the same picking over of their tax returns for something that sounds bad. What makes Mitt so special? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/517 "2012-08-09T14:50:27Z")
> [@babygoat666](#): > > Has this been a problem for any of the other candidates in the last 40 years? Why are only Mitt’s returns susceptible to this scrutiny? My guess it’s due to the class warfare that Obama loves to play. Also, Mitt is a known entity. No one denies that he’s a very rich guy, so they’re nothing to be gained with that revelation. And he is going to have two years released. If it were zero years, I think that would be a problem. But two years will give voters a good enough peek into his dealings. I could even see asking him to release one older return, say from 8 or 10 years ago, if the “fear” is that the last two years will have been crafted to be unusually clean. But there is no need for anyone to pour over 12 years of his records, not without any reasonable allegation of wrongdoing against him. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/518 "2012-08-09T14:52:06Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > And is hypocritical as hell. Oh, wait, I get it, his returns are special because he’s the “specialist little snowflake” to run for President in the past 40 yrs. POOF! And the notion that a serious discussion could be had disappeared just like that. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/519 "2012-08-09T14:56:30Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > But there is no need for anyone to pour over 12 years of his records, not without any reasonable allegation of wrongdoing against him. As there was no need to pour over any of the presidential candidates’ returns from the last 40 years, despite no prior allegations of wrongdoing. What makes Mitt so special? Dude, I can play this all day. You keep going on about, “there’s no reason …” Yes, there is a reason. Every fucking candidate from the last 40 years has. Obama has. If he refuses becuase, “there’s no reason to,” then he is claiming to be a special snowflake who doesn’t have to play the same game as the rest of them. What the fuck makes Mitt so fucking special? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085/520 "2012-08-09T14:57:21Z")
And there’s no need to \*pore \*over them, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-romney-release-his-tax-returns/630085.md?page=27)