Why did House Republicans vote to keep President Trump's tax returns secret ?

You do have to pity the Republicans a little. Unlike was the case with the Democrats and Bernie Sanders if it had come to it, collusion alone wouldn't theoretically have been enough to stop the Donald from getting the nomination (insufficient superdelegates). The GOP never really wanted Trump to be the nominee, but now they're stuck with his brand because the fucking ignorant loons who vote in their primaries thought the multiple bankruptcies and wives were really cool when paired with that awesome hair and that wicked spray tan and that weird thing he's got going on with the favorite daughter.

So they are riding the tiger. They're power-hungry and institutionally blind enough to think that they can maybe profit off this guy if they can just keep him from imploding, and really, that's what the Democratic establishment was banking on with Hillary Clinton (both of the candidates from the 2016 election were unbelievably corrupt and justly unpopular for it - Americans might be fucking stupid, but at least if you put shit on a plate and serve it to them, most of them won't eat it).

If Trump releases his tax returns, there's no guarantee there will be anything that anyone can get him for, although the fact that he's kept them to himself this long raises some eyebrows. Still, if you're a Republican right now, you don't really want more information on this guy coming to light. You know he's failed in numerous business ventures, that he pathologically inflates his own successes, that he has a hardon for Putin's Russia, and that for as nationalist as his policy prescriptions tend to be, the idea that he loves America for any reason other than that he happens to be a citizen and he's managed to rip off many of its other citizens is probably ludicrous. Also the daughter-wife. So you have to imagine there are likely skeletons buried throughout the backyard.

If you were in their place, with their motives and estimates, would you do anything to help out the public? After all, blocking this isn't a crime. It might look bad if he does implode later, but it probably won't cost you your seat. On the other hand, if you do help out the public and it doesn't immediately bring the president down, you'll have turned your entire party against you.

Not saying any of this is good, just saying, to understand it you have to see it from the perspective of a Republican hack.

Predictably the usual people defend Trump at all costs in all circumstances. They ask why he should release them. Why?

1) Its precedent going back many years.
2) It shows responsibility in personal affairs, which is particularly important if you are running a country. (Conservatives are usually pretty hot on this being important).
3) It shows transaparancy.
4) Trump would never have become President if it wasn't for the brag of being a successful businessman. It was central to his campaign.

In addition, [b][i]why not?[/i][/b] If there is a good reason why Trump has not released his returns then I have yet to see one. It follows that there is probably a bad reason...

House Republicans surely know this is dodgy but they want to use Trump for their own ends (abolishing Obamacare, cutting medicare, low corporate tax). Therefore they are happy to use any use any means to protect Trump, and by extension themselves, from any reputation damage.

I think they recognize the power of distraction that Trump brings to the table.
Oh...they're also hypocritical pieces of shit more concerned with their own power, and the financial success of their contributors, than they are about walking the walk when it comes to all the shit they toss out there to make people vote for them.

Because it isn't required. Now obama should have had to show his real birth certificate though.

Couple years ago Trump Jr. did say that their business interests are disproportionately heavy in Russian investors and interests.

I got a letter from HMRC (aka the IRS to our friends across the pond) two months ago reminding me that I didn’t file my tax return last year. A month ago, they sent me another reminder which was a tad more strongly worded. Today, I got yet another letter. This one had FINAL DEMAND printed across the top in big red letters. It threatened all kinds of penalties if I didn’t reply within seven days.

So I telephoned them. I got this rather stern lady on the phone who again warned me of penalties and so on and so forth. I asked her why I needed to send in a tax return when nobody can understand them anyway. I also told her that there was little to be gleaned from tax returns.

She told me that a tax inspector would be coming to my place of business tomorrow and that if I didn’t co-operate, I would face legal charges that could result in a custodial sentence.

What should I do?

I started a new job two weeks ago. The CEO is an old friend of mine and he gave me the post. The thing is, he’s only been working for the company for six weeks and has no experience in this type of organisation. What further complicates my situation is that all of the other directors and executives have all been there quite a long time and are a little concerned that that the company is run properly and correctly by people who actually know what they are doing.

And so, in order to show these other directors and executives that I was the right man for the job, I had to attend an interview before my appointment was fully confirmed.

During this interview, I was asked a number of times if I had any connections with, any relationships with and any dealings with, our competitors. I answered in the negative every time I was asked one of these questions.

The problem is, I actually have had relationships, connections and dealings with our competitors and, somebody has now found out.

What should I do?

Right?! Since we're all so cozy and unified now, why doesn't he just go ahead and show us his tax returns? Do you think that's what he's building the wall with? His returns in paper mache form?

Pretty darn obvious Trumpski cheats, ain't it?

Probably because the American public does not need any more fuel for the fire of dislike and distrust in the president.

Who cares??? So what it's tax returns, not like Obama who sealed all his IMPORTANT records.

It would be easy to find a talking head to eviscerate the tax returns of anyone earning more than minimum wage. Where does that get anyone?

Because the election is over, and the republic is no more. Besides, the only people who would tell us what's on them would be fake media anyway.

So what