Obama's Complete 2012 Tax Return

[MachineGhost]

Some interesting tidbits revealed.

http://tinyurl.com/cgfsnwh

[Ad Orientem]

I really don't see why he releases this information. It's none of my business. Same with Romney's taxes. As long as he did not break the law how much money he made and or what he gives to charity is a private matter. I can't recall when presidents started feeling obligated to do this. But I will loudly cheer the president (irrespective of party) who tells the press to buzz off and focus on matters of policy vice his /her personal affairs.

[Pointedstick]

I agree with Ad Orientem. What do I care? It's none of my business.

[Xan]

I would agree, except that he points a gun at me and makes me send MY tax return to HIM.  Perhaps the fair thing would be for all the tax returns of federal employees to be made public.

[Ad Orientem]

I would agree, except that he points a gun at me and makes me send MY tax return to HIM.  Perhaps the fair thing would be for all the tax returns of federal employees to be made public.

That's odd. I have never made a tax check out to Obama or any of our other presidents. MIne were always made out to the Treasury / IRS.

[Xan]

Those are all departments under his purview.

[Pointedstick]

I think we get what you're trying to say, Xan (and many agree with you), but it's sort of a provocative, inartful way of saying it.

[rocketdog]

Perhaps the fair thing would be for all the tax returns of federal employees to be made public.

+1

[dragoncar]

I think we get what you're trying to say, Xan (and many agree with you), but it's sort of a provocative, inartful way of saying it.

Stop being so damn levelheaded!  I am more concerned with corruption of public officials, although I'm not sure a tax return would help me identify such corruption.

[Ad Orientem]

Perhaps the fair thing would be for all the tax returns of federal employees to be made public.

+1

-1 until you pass a constitutional amendment stripping Federal employees of their civil rights, which include a right to privacy. This is silly. Because a person is doing their job we are going to act like they have no rights? I kinda get tired of the anarchists who act like government employees are all storm troopers or members of the SS.

[rocketdog]

The salaries of public employees in NY State is public information.  Our local newspaper frequently publishes it and exposes any anomalies.  Why should it be any different for federal employees?

[Ad Orientem]

The salaries of public employees in NY State is public information.  Our local newspaper frequently publishes it and exposes any anomalies.  Why should it be any different for federal employees?

Official salaries are of course public information. That's not the same thing as income taxes. I will however make one concession. I think some some public employees, especially in legislative positions, should be required to disclose their investment portfolios because of the danger of conflict of interest.

[rocketdog]

The salaries of public employees in NY State is public information.  Our local newspaper frequently publishes it and exposes any anomalies.  Why should it be any different for federal employees?

Official salaries are of course public information. That's not the same thing as income taxes. I will however make one concession. I think some some public employees, especially in legislative positions, should be required to disclose their investment portfolios because of the danger of conflict of interest.

Congress, as you might expect, disagrees:

Congress Quietly Repeals Insider Trading Ban

[MediumTex]

The salaries of public employees in NY State is public information.  Our local newspaper frequently publishes it and exposes any anomalies.  Why should it be any different for federal employees?

Official salaries are of course public information. That's not the same thing as income taxes. I will however make one concession. I think some some public employees, especially in legislative positions, should be required to disclose their investment portfolios because of the danger of conflict of interest.

Congress, as you might expect, disagrees:

Congress Quietly Repeals Insider Trading Ban

Members of Congress view gains from insider trading in the way that pizza delivery guys view their tips.

[MachineGhost]

Congress, as you might expect, disagrees:

Congress Quietly Repeals Insider Trading Ban

My blood boils...

[Pointedstick]

Keep in mind that the vaunted open-government pro-transparency anti-wall-street Elizabeth Warren either voted for this, or didn't vote against it, since it was a unanimous vote. Anybody have the actual bill number? I haven't been able to find it.

[MomTo2Boys]

  Perhaps the fair thing would be for all the tax returns of federal employees to be made public.

My husband is a federal employee. You have no right to see my family's tax returns, our address, the names and social security numbers of my children, etc. Many federal employees are law enforcement officers and this would be painting a huge bullseye on their backs and on the backs of their families. This is quite possibly the single most vile comment I have ever read on these forums.

[MediumTex]

  Perhaps the fair thing would be for all the tax returns of federal employees to be made public.

My husband is a federal employee. You have no right to see my family's tax returns, our address, the names and social security numbers of my children, etc. Many federal employees are law enforcement officers and this would be painting a huge bullseye on their backs and on the backs of their families. This is quite possibly the single most vile comment I have ever read on these forums.

Let's move on to something else please.

There's no point in pursuing this part of the discussion any further.

Thanks.

[Xan]

This is quite possibly the single most vile comment I have ever read on these forums.

Wow, overreact much?  First, did you notice that there were no social security numbers on the Obamas' return which started all this?  In any case, I'm just throwing an idea out there.  Bad idea, maybe.  Vile?  Chill out.  I would continue but Tex is right.