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

House Republicans voted en masse to block a resolution that would have forced Trump to turn his tax returns over to Congress on Monday night.
The measure was introduced by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Under a 1924 law, the Ways and Means Committee is empowered to examine tax returns. The committee could then decide to release them to the full Congress, effectively making them public.
Trump has broken with decades of precedent and refused to release his tax returns, citing an ongoing audit.

1.1 million people have signed an online petition calling for the returns to be released, and 74 percent of Americans in a January poll say Trump should now release his taxes.

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IvanKaramazov

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.

MistyCee

I get it, but I'm not a politician, nor do I buy into the part of the conservative ideology that says as long as it cuts my taxes and just pisses on the poor folk, it's OK. There are bigger issues at stake.

For one thing, near as I can tell, this is a prememptive strike to prohibit some independent prosecutor appointed to look into the Russian deal from getting at the truth. F that. The adversarial system is flawed enough without big brother saying .. look here, but not there.

In the long run, the next revolutionary demagogue might be a Marxist and not a faux-fascist. They should realize the precedent is not a good thing to make. After all, they've awakened Bernie voters and the geezer Nazi sympathizers are getting old.

IvanKaramazov

I wasn't speaking on my own preferences, just describing the political situation. Not to say you're not correct about the Russia thing, which probably does play a role in their decision, just that it isn't in their interests to let any info at all come out. After all, whether it's Russia or some form of embezzlement, it can't be good for them.

The only real problem with the idea of a leftist demagogue is there is an institutional bias against their success. Thanks to the electoral college, it isn't just the percentage of people across the country who vote one way or another, it's also their geographic distribution that matters. The geezer Nazi sympathizers are pretty dispersed over large areas, whereas the young and the nonwhite tend to flock to major cities. They still hold an advantage, and with medical science improving at the rate that it is, they could be around for some time to come.

jackjjackson · 61-69, M

@IvanKaramazov: I'm flabbergasted by your nasty tone. I have no problem whatsoever with your opinion regarding the issues just as I'm sure you agree thst I am entitled to my opinion. What is offensive is the uncaring broad brush hatred you've spewed in the above comments. I do agree that the two candidates were bad. However I believe the correct candidate lost. Perhaps you can start a movement by moving to a red state and have other fellow travelers join you. Perhaps enough people who disagree with you will bump off before 2024. The majority of people with whom you disagree are average nice people perhaps some of your own family members. My thought is that extremism on either side does no one any good. The hatred you ooze does you no good nor does it help those you encounter in a daily basis. Life is better with a hopeful optimistic respectful attitude. Just a suggestion.

MistyCee

@Jackjjacksonjr: Whoa. Poor ivan was responding to my inflammatory rhetoric and I'm not sure it's fair to jump on him talking about hatred and that sort of thing.

Our current president has perhaps changed the rules about the acceptability of ad hominem attacks in civil debate but for heaven's sake be clear about whom your attacking. I was baiting Ivan, perhaps unjustified ly, but he didn't start the nasty elitist tone that that you seem to think of as hatred. I love my ignorant family members, and accept their differences, but I don't hate them.

Even DJT renounced hatred in his last speech. I'm not going to say can we agree or even get along, but can we at least agree to debate civilly as opposed to how how DJT conducts himself?

jackjjackson · 61-69, M

@Misty71:

Very kind of you to fall on your sword for poor ole Ivan. You responded to his initial hate toned comment then he followed it up with a second one. Ivan is a grown up and is responsible for himself.

Wouldn't it be nice to start with things people can agree on. I agree that everyone should have fairly priced access to excellent health care and education. What are your and Ivan's thoughts on this please?

IvanKaramazov

I don't care about you or your bullshit. I don't tolerate idiocy. You can pretty it up all you like, but that doesn't make you any less the problem.

This message was deleted by its author.

IvanKaramazov

See? At the slightest provocation, you're right down here in the gutter with me. Congrats, you proved your own mindless rhetoric meaningless. Doubt you're honest enough to admit that to yourself though, even with that stupid jpeg staring you right in your fat face.

This message was deleted by its author.

IvanKaramazov

Yep, it's not hypocrisy when wingnuts do it.

jackjjackson · 61-69, M

@IvanKaramazov:

[image deleted]

MistyCee

Sorry guys. Y'all have fun. While CNN uncovers the fact that Jeff Sessions met twice with the Russians and lied about it to the Senate committee, Hannity is calling liberals names because they called out Trump for pArading a widow on national TV while the sob deliberately made her sob for the audience. It was disgusting to watch while it happened, but I see now why Trump needed to go there. It gives the ammunition for Goebbels, excuse me, Hannity, to deflect attention from the truth.

Sorry, guys but I'm no longer willing to waste my time with people arguing about Trump and his crew of wanabee Nazis. Half of them are neo Nazis and the other half are trying to avoid being nailed for it.

Fox, of course along with conspiracy sites, Infowars and others will just say it's a mainstream media conspiracy, but .... Sorry ... Anyone who watches Fox and believes anything that station says is a bleeping idiot.