WASHINGTON D.C., August 17, 2012 – Today the White House called upon presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to release his tax records, invoking the need for transparent debate. The question that no one seems to be asking, however, is why doesn’t President Obama practice what he preaches and show transparency in his own government?
The Obama Administration has little credibility when it talks about “transparency” as its list of sunshine abuses continue to grow, ranging from Operation: Fast and Furious to its ongoing extrajudicial use of armed drones and rendition. Obama’s lack of transparency and routine use of doublespeak have not only damaged the image and reputation of the United States government abroad, but have also shaken the confidence of the American people in their highest institutions.
The key difference between Romney and Obama is that one of these two is a private citizen who has earned his livelihood through the free market and private entrepreneurship, while the other is a career elected official who has moved from one elected office to another, growing rich from the benefits and access conferred by government power.
President Obama, who is not even transparent about the use of taxpayer dollars, expects private individuals to cough up their tax records on demand? That’s not only hypocrisy, it’s shameful. The public deserves answers from the Obama Administration, but until Romney assumes elected office, his private finances are his business and his business alone.
Whether you support Obama or Romney, we should all resent the precedent that private persons should be bullied by their government into disclosing their finances. America was founded by men and women who wanted to enjoy privacy and security in their persons, houses, papers and effects. If Romney is forced into giving up his tax records, what is to stop government from making public the tax records of the average person?
It’s time to stop playing politics, Mr. President. You were elected for change and reform, not bullying and grandstanding.
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