Cindy McCain's taxing refusal

WHO's rules? Yours? Get your facts straight. There are already federal election laws governing this. When earnings of a married couple are combined to file a joint return, federal election laws require that tax return to be made public, because they are combined. When federal law did not make Teresa Heinz disclose her tax return, she didn't have to, because her earnings was not combined with her husbands. Unless she is bootlegging, I seriously doubt there is a conflict interest here. Don't start trampling on her right to privacy solely because you are nosy. If you do, don't complain if your right to privacy is violated too, because what goes around comes around.

should release their tax returns and Cindy McCain is not a candidate.

If they're looking for graft its not going to show up on a tax retrun. As for the 'public's right to know... bullchit!!! The press is just wanting fodder for a story to use for or against a candidate.

The FBI has plenty of tax people, that's how they got Capone and others. Let them check out the candidates tax returns.

Mrs. McCain is a business person and if I was her I wouldn't want my competitors or employees to know what I make or how much I give to charities or where my money is invested. Its none of their business.

I'm almost sure her business has a union. I wouldn't want that information out because of union contract negotiations.

Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices 2008

I am disturbed by Cindy McCain's refusal to show the public her tax returns. As the wife of a Presidential candidate, she's not just an ordinary citizen. Her life isn't private and her financial dealings need to be out in the open. We expected Teresa Heinz to do it, we expected Bill Clinton to do it. The spouse of a politician is in a very influential position and the public deserves to know what's going on with her. If she has nothing to hide, it's not a problem, but her protests make me wonder.

Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices 2008

Barb,

How about posting your tax return? It has as much relevance as anyone else's. This point is a non starter.

have a lot more faith in politicians than I do.

If the candidate follows the rules in regards to disclosing their financials and/or tax returns then that is all they should do. If their isn't a requirement for the spouse if filing separately then she is under no obligation to release them.

If one candidate goes beyond the rules and releases more than necessary, fine. But the opponent is under no obligation. That is a political trick used often and it would appear the editorial board is incredibly gullible.

Ms. McCain is correct. She's not the candidate, therefore her tax returns are nobody's business. Sit down, STF up, and leave her alone!!!

parties from paying the spouse money if there's no open disclosure of financial records?

"how the sources of his wife's financial largess affect McCain's public service."

I think it's a pretty fair question. We all know politicians are susceptible to graft. Shouldn't we want transparency? I'm not one to take it on faith, whether it be McCain or Kerry or whomever.

Without anything to back up your point or proof (or even a source) of impropriety, you make an accusation on Cindy McCain, with a shot at Bill Clinton in the process. Is, "skeptics will always wonder" a new straw man argument? This is an incredibly irresponsible comment from someone who sits on an editorial board of a major metropolitan newspaper. And I don't think a fictional "public right to know" has any bearing on your opinion.

Did you ask the same of Teresa Heinz Kerry or even Claire McCaskill?