March 14, 2019

BS is never going to release his tax returns. If BS had any intention of releasing them...

BS is never going to release his tax returns. If BS had any intention of releasing them, it would have already been done.

It's not like they're "incomplete" or anything. It's not like they're "still working on them" or anything. After all... if they were complete enough to submit to the IRS, then those tax returns are complete enough to release to the American public.

No... something tells me that someone has made a deliberate decision to NOT release them. Someone on the campaign has weighed the pros-and-cons... calculated the pluses-and-minuses... and determined that the "fallout" from not releasing the tax returns is more acceptable than the "fallout" of going ahead and releasing them.

All I'm saying is that's certainly what it appears to be and it's a logical conclusion to make... there's simply no other reason that any "serious" candidate would do something that's tarnishing their campaign, reputation, and making people question things like integrity and honesty.

In the end, it simply makes no good sense for this strategy to continue. As voters, we deserve to know where a candidate's money comes from, where the spouse's money comes from, how it's being invested, where it's being saved (domestic or offshore), what charities (if any) or other contributions (if any) have been made, and whether the taxes have been properly paid... or whether there are other potential conflicts of interest that we voters should know about BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

March 13, 2019

Oh, he's absolutely rich. Definitely 1%. And that doesn't bother me AT ALL.

Oh, he's absolutely rich. Definitely 1%. And that doesn't bother me AT ALL.

What I'm most interested in, however, is where it comes from... where it's being invested... how it's being saved (offshore or domestically) and whether the taxes have been properly paid.

Based on what we do know... looking at the historical and publicly-available record... the reticence to release the jointly-filed tax returns may be in the interest of protecting his current wife, Jane. There are still lingering questions about her retirement and other financial arrangements with Burlington College as well as other associations with Old Towne Media. These have been ongoing questions that mainstream investigative reporters have been unable to get forthcoming and satisfactory responses about... and the full and complete tax returns would provide answers to many of those questions.

All I'm saying is... people who make flimsy excuses... or who delay-delay-delay... or who fail to deliver of promises of "soon"... well, they're only making things worse for themselves. It only causes heightened suspicions because that's just the way people (and the press) are. It's only natural.

But, in the end, it serves no good purpose to delay and it causes more personal harm to a candidates reputation. People are looking for a candidate with honor, honesty and integrity... no matter who he or she may be.

March 13, 2019

They will NEVER release their tax returns. They have NO INTENTION of ever releasing them.

If they were intending to release the full tax returns, they would have done so by now. After all... if the tax returns were complete enough and thorough enough to release to the IRS, then they're complete enough to release to the American voters.

I feel like they're hiding something... and I think it may have something to do with his current wife Jane. It's all very suspicious, and the longer this goes on, the more fishy it smells.

Nobody begrudges the fact that they are RICH and part of the 1% themselves. But what people need to know is where the money is coming from... what's the SOURCE of their income? Also, where is it being invested? Is it being saved domestically, or "off-shore"? Are all the taxes being paid? Are the write-offs kosher?

All I'm saying is that these are LEGITIMATE questions that we deserve HONEST answers to.

Personally, I'm looking for a candidate who is HONEST and FORTHRIGHT. I am looking for a candidate who keeps promises and who has INTEGRITY.

March 11, 2019

Still waiting for him to exude his full TAX RETURNS. Any word on that? What's the delay? If...

Still waiting for him to exude his full TAX RETURNS. Any word on that? What's the delay? If the tax returns were complete enough to submit to the IRS, then they are complete enough to release to the American voters. No "polishing" or "adjusting" or "clarifying" or "fixing-up" or "fine-tuning" is necessary.

Everyone should play by the same rules. No special favors for anyone! No exceptions.

The American people have the right to know whether or not anyone running to be the "Leader of the Free World" has properly paid his taxes. We have the right for an honest, forthcoming, and COMPLETE release of his FULL tax returns for a period of TEN years so that we can confirm where the candidate's money is coming from, and where the candidate is investing or saving (ie: domestic or off-shore) and what the candidate and his/her spouse claims as "deductibles" or other assets.

We need to see EVERY candidate's tax returns BEFORE the primaries... so that we'll know whether or not he or she is honest and has the integrity to be our party's nominee.

It's complete BS for any candidate to think they're entitled to DELAY and not release their tax returns until they win the nomination. All I'm saying is that the American voters deserve better than the peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek delays and excuses.

March 10, 2019

I see absolutely no benefit in giving anyone a platform to smear the Democratic party...

I see absolutely no benefit in giving anyone a platform to smear the Democratic party. What "benefit" is there in making false claims that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" or "feeble". What is the "benefit" for anyone to publicly insinuate that Democrats are "corrupt" or to characterize the Democratic party is an "absolute failure".

Honestly, I struggle to see what good there is in cheering anyone who who says false things like the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or that Democrats are the "party of the elite". These things are blatantly untrue.

This type of argument that promotes the myth that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans" is harmful. It tarnishes the "brand" of the Democratic party... it creates distrust and divisions... resentments form, old wounds are opened... and that weakens the party. A weakened Democratic party only benefits the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

All I'm saying here is that this type of negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections. What good purpose does that serve?

I hope that everyone has learned from the mistakes of the past and that anyone who's inclined to do so can resist the urge to indulge themselves in such vanities and lies.

February 23, 2019

Thank goodness I haven't heard any DEMOCRATS saying...

Thank goodness I haven't heard any DEMOCRATS saying demoralizing and false things like... Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt".

I'm very relieved that "other candidates" are not going around saying that Democrats are "feeble" or "corrupt". This is dangerous rhetoric that only divides the party.

I would be extremely disappointed if I heard "other candidates" saying that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure" or that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or "party of the elite". That's the kind of disinformation that tarnishes the appeal of the Democratic party.

All I'm trying to say is that when anyone says things that imply or insinuate that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans"... well, it simply serves no good purpose.

What it does do, however (when people say things like that) is to create disunity and distrust. That kind of "stoking the fires" only makes people resentful and suspicious. Ultimately, that weakens the Democratic party. It dissuades people from supporting Democrats... and in the end that ONLY serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 23, 2019

How do you feel when a candidate trashes the entire Democratic party with lies and smears?

How do you feel when a candidate trashes the entire Democratic party with lies and smears? Should people remain silent for the sake of some sort of fake and forced "unity"... while the DISINFORMATION continues to be spread about the party?

I simply cannot accept and will not stand by, pretending to be "positive", when I hear someone declaring that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt", or that Democrats are "feeble" and "corrupt".

Do you consider it to be "fighting among ourselves" when loyal party members push-back against the demoralizing lies about how the Democratic party is an "absolute failure"... or that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" (or the "party of the elite'')?

I fear you're correct on that point, and that's why I will always speak out against the SMEARS and LIES and DISINFORMATION about Democrats and the Democratic party that is the root cause of much of the division, suspicion and distrust.

All I'm trying to say is this... it's simply NOT TRUE that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans" and we should have to remain silent and be on our best polite behavior whenever this type of divisive disinformation is being spread. What good purpose does it do to smile and stay quiet in the face of such obvious lies and smears?

These lies about Democrats and the Democratic party only serve to demoralize us and divide us. If low-information voters have been convinced that there's "no difference" in the parties, then they end up having no reason to vote for Democrats (or to vote at all!)

Here's the thing... these lies only serve to TARNISH and WEAKEN the Democratic party... and a weakened party only benefits the GOP, and Trump, and Russia! I refuse to remain silent and I will call-out and push-back against the disinformation campaign against the Democratic party.

February 22, 2019

Nobody is smearing him. But I'll tell you what IS a smear...

Nobody is "blasting" him continuously. Valid (though pointed) criticisms are difficult to hear, I agree, but these things must be deeply and thoroughly vetted now. Those things aren't "smears". But I'll tell you what IS a smear... and that's when we hear someone saying things like... Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" and Democrats are "feeble". Obviously, that's completely untrue.

I strongly believe it's important for anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party to be someone who can unite the party and motivate the party. It simply serves no good purpose for anyone to publicly state that the Democrats are "corrupt" or that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure". Those types of smears do not unite or motivate us.

And lastly, I think it's vital that we stand up to anyone who says that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent", or that the Democrats are the party is the "party of the elite". Again... totally false!

Again, I totally understand that it can be difficult to listen to valid criticism of one's favorite candidate. But what's worse is when people make excuses for the FALSE rhetoric about the Democratic party that's regularly being bandied about.

Things like that very dangerous (and demoralizing). WHAT GOOD PURPOSE does it serve for someone to make false statements that infer that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans." Nothing could be further from the truth! It's bullying and it erodes trust in the party and in each other. It's so harmful and I'll never hesitate to speak out against the lies.

All I'm trying to say here is that these types of smears only divide us. They make us suspicious of each other and question motives and agendas. And all of those things only serve to demoralize us and weaken us as a party. It's very destructive, and anything that weakens the Democratic party only serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 22, 2019

I believe that anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party should avoid saying things like...

I believe that anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party should avoid saying things like... Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" and Democrats are "feeble". Obviously, that's completely untrue

I also believe it's important for anyone who wants to represent the Democratic party to be someone who can unite the party and motivate the party. It simply serves no good purpose for anyone to publicly state that the Democrats are "corrupt" or that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure". Those types of smears do not unite or motivate us.

And lastly, I think it's vital that we stand up to anyone who says that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent", or that the Democrats are the party is the "party of the elite". Again... totally false!

It's very dangerous (and demoralizing) to someone who's supposed to be our ally making false statements that clearly infer that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans." Nothing could be further from the truth!

All I'm trying to say here is that these types of smears only divide us. They make us suspicious of each other and question motives and agendas. And all of those things only serve to demoralize us and weaken us as a party. It's very destructive, and anything that weakens the Democratic party only serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

February 21, 2019

Nope. I prefer the genuine article. The conditional phrase "as a" tells me all I need to know.

The same way that buttery-spray toppings are sold "as a" butter substitute... they're not actually butter, are they?

He won't.

There are many answers to that, but I can start by telling you that it's not someone who accuses the Democratic party of being "corrupt" or "ideologically bankrupt" that's for sure. Nor is it someone who suggests that there's no difference between the GOP and the Democratic party with accusations that the Democrats are "the party of the elite" and "the party of the one-percent".

All I'm saying, in answer to your last question, is that an actual Democrat would be doing everything in his or her power to strengthen and promote the party... not to tear it down, denigrate and divide the party. For those who do such things it's completely fair to call them out on it.

I think every reasonable person can agree that a divided Democratic party, one that's suspicious and distrustful, is a weakened party. Sadly, that only serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia. I just don't understand why anyone would do or say things that harm our party, and that benefit the GOP.