My point in bringing up the IRA is to say that we are living with 2 tax codes. One for the average American and one for those who can hire a phalanx of attorneys and accountants. Of course this is the system as it is currently structured. My point in highlighting these items is to bring about a discussion in the general public. That's all.

If I thought his policies would be beneficial to our country, yes...I would.

What do his policies have to do with you wanting to nose around in his tax returns?
The info from his tax returns would not influence your vote.

lyn, are you saying that you think it's ok that romney paid about %13 of his income to taxes in 2010? which is a bracket i would LOVE to be in, even though i didn't make anywhere near $21 million in 2010 (or across my whole lifetime, but that's another matter). because you're giving appreciation to him for maximizing his use of the tax code to get it down to that percentage, yet at the same time you're saying rich people should pay more in taxes than those in lesser income brackets. which is it? because that is clearly not what he's done here. (and obviously the suspicion with is withholding other returns is that other years may be even more severe.)

joe-
Did you really read my comments?
If you had, you will see I clearly have said:
" If one works within the framework of the code, then your problem should not be with that person."
and
"I also DO think the wealthier should have to pay more."
and
"People who make more should have to pay more."
However, because of the existing tax code, he has been able to lessen his tax liability. Do you expect him to pay more than what the law requires? Do you pay additional each year out of the kindness of your heart?
People need to get over his wealth. It is convenient to make someones wealth the target, but that is NOT the issue. It is a way to divide the masses. Quite easy to do when so few have the money he does.
The problem is the tax code. I'm sure you take every deduction and credit you can on your 1040. Well, his tax planners are on top of that all year. He has more money to manage.
When there is so much more going on in the country, why do people make an issue out of someones wealth and the fact that they have used the tax code to their advantage? CHANGE THE CODE! He is not doing anything wrong. It is no different than when Clinton signed NAFTA and jobs left the US. We hate the companies for doing it - but it is more advantageous for them. We need to divert our anger at the right place - change the laws that enable individuals or companies to do things that we do not like.

Lyn-
You keep saying "people should get over his wealth". I personally have no problem with his wealth. I just don't know why it's such a big deal for him to release those tax returns like every other presidential candidate has done over the last few decades. I'm assuming nothing is illegal, but I also assume he has taken advantage of every tax loophole there is, like you said. If it shows that he's paid 12%, 11%, or even less, he should take this opportunity and tell the public that the tax system needs reform.

Maybe he doesn't think it needs reformed.
I think it does.
And, as the saying supposedly goes from everybody's mother "if all your friends jump off a bridge, would you?” Maybe a bad comparison, but just because others have, why does he need to - it is not required. It would only provide material to bash him with. Granted, if he had done it long ago, it would be behind him. That is why some of his own party said to do it. But now its too late in the game politically. But, it really is irrelevant.

Well, maybe all records of all candidates that run for higher office should be required to be open. I don't have a problem with that!!! Let's work towards that, too.

Ms. Petsch,
you work on your guy and I'll work on mine. I believe (personal opinion with no need to justify) Romney will be more honest than President Obama in this matter.

You must follow the law James.

That's when you get involved.
Write and/or call your Representative and Senator. Do you know who they are?
Participate in town halls with them.
Get active in getting your candidate elected. Communicate your issues to them.
Or, sit back and complain about the status quo.

Bingo! We need to change the system as it is currently structured. We need a push from the grass roots to make them change. Knowledge is power. The more we know...the more we are prompted to act.

Reverse what has been done snce the 60's by giving the top earners what we've received pro-rated by income bracket.

So, you don't think Sherrod Brown is sincere in doing his town halls? His decisions are based on his funders?

RE:"the disparity between the top and everyone else"
Maybe we should play Robin Hood - rob from the rich and give to the poor. Or, as we think of it today, redistribute income. Take it out of the hands of the wealthy and spread it around to everyone else. Just have more entitlement programs. Let the government decide who reaps the benefit of another persons efforts.
Actually, the only thing I agree with you on, is that some CEO's are way overpaid when their workers are laid off or forced to be parttime employees and give up benefits. Otherwise, a big pat on the back to those who can be successful without treading on others.

And, being wealthy does NOT necessarily mean one is corrupt.

"Maybe we should play Robin Hood - rob from the rich and give to the poor. Or, as we think of it today, redistribute income. Take it out of the hands of the wealthy and spread it around to everyone else. Just have more entitlement programs. Let the government decide who reaps the benefit of another persons efforts."

No one mentioned anything like that. The concern is the large influence a very wealthy person or corporation has on politicians, especially after Citizens United.

"And, being wealthy does NOT necessarily mean one is corrupt."

Corruption isn't the topic either. Everyone knows that these wealthy people who have a low tax percentage are playing by the rules. Everyone also knows that their limitless donations to Super PACs is legal as well.

The concern is that politicians are influenced more so by the wealthiest individuals, therefore creating the laws that are in their favor, such as the current tax code and Citizens United, among other things.

Excuse me for restating Rose's comment in a less than favorable manner.

Pat, good comment. I will add that it is because of affirmative action that ignorant whites are asking for transcripts. They didn’t ask for Bush’s. Not even Kerry’s. So why ask for a Black’s? The conservatives again can’t grasp a concept. Affirmative action puts everyone in the starting blocks on the same line. It picks a person up off the track, dusts them off and lets them back into the race. If you can’t keep up you fall behind no matter who you are. I, a WASP, ran affirmative action for a large corporation

Again, please excuse me for rephrasing your comments in a less than favorable manner. But, then you claim its a deflection tactic when you don't like how it sounds repeated back to you another way.

Ever since President Ronald Regan changed the tax structure to favor the rich and rob everyone else this has been going on ( over 30 years! ) ; retribution demands justice for those of us robbed legally by the tax code and I see that it should be a reversal of these policies now.

-low tax rate: per tax code
-foreign tax haven: not enough knowledge on this, so can't comment. I could spout off as others have, what is said in the news, but I try to be informed.
-deduction for horse - again, need more info. But, I believe some can deduct a swimming pool for health reasons. As she has MS, probably qualifies.
-IRA- how many times do I have to educate you on this? You obviously don't know how IRA's can accumulate.
So, the fact that I like a few things that Obama has done, including a few in Obamacare - but it was created under his arrogance without input from everyone, it needs redone - that means because I favor Mitt you think any opinion I have is partisan. You are wrong. I pick and choose issues regardless of the party. Independent.

Actually the tax deduction on the horse comes from the horse's training for the Olympics. All athletes whether they be human or horse are eligible for these deductions.

IRA's -investments grow, 401k's and the like can rollover into IRA's. With good investment guidance, investments grow.

Rose, I enjoyed your piece, and agree that Mr. Romney should release those records. I think it's outrageous that he has refused to do so, and still wants me to trust him with my vote. It just makes me think he has something to hide! Come clean, and then let me decide.

Oh, and pay no attention to that woman behind the curtain. She just likes to be argumentative, rude and annoying (and always right)!

Thanks!

It still amazes me how many middle-class, hard-working-yet-financially-strapped, otherwise-sensible Americans are rushing to defend a millionaire who hides God-only-knows-how-much money in countries OTHER THAN the country in which he is running for President...just sayin!!!

rose why should romney release any documents, when obama refuses to release a whole laundry list full of documents

Because this isn't one team versus the other. It's becuase honesty should be a valued virtue as president. If you're all wound up that Obama didn't release certain documents, you should be mad as hell Romeny is following down the same path. But instead, you defend Romney while pointing the finger at Obama. You're all the same. It's sad. Welcome to America.

well mary, I guess romney is just following the leader, I too would really like to see some of these Obama documents

Ms. Petsche,
"The trouble is that congress exempts itself from requirements that it imposes on everyone else."
This is a so bipartisan effort in Congress, will you publicly work to end it? I will.

And you're ok with someone else who can't think for himself and just does as everyone else does? We're not lemmings, or are we?

Keith, I disagree. If you can name 1 government run program that with the efficiency of the private sector I might be willing to listen. Similar situations in our schools. The economics of schools should be run by a financial professional, not a school board, superintendent, or principal. The should run the educational side and leave the business side to the bean counters.