More Money, More Problems
For months, people have been waiting for Donald Trump to release his tax returns. They would only be right to assume that, as the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, he would be releasing them at some point. Yet, less than a month before the election, no one has seen them. Ironically, his decision to withhold his tax returns has revealed more about himself than even his taxes could. To many, the lack of tax returns is just one symbolic gesture in a milieu of deception.
He thinks he’s above the law. Donald Trump has admitted to not paying federal income tax. While this technically isn’t illegal, it is highly unusual — especially for someone worth as much as he — and shows a commitment to beating the system. Middle class residents from Pennsylvania and Ohio — the same people he’s trying to appeal to — have been paying more in federal income taxes.
Recently, a video surfaced of Mr. Trump engaging in “locker room talk” with Billy Bush on the set of “Access Hollywood,” in which he bragged about his ability to have sexual interactions with women due to his social status. In the weeks since, several women have stepped forward, claiming that Trump forced himself upon them, too. If Mr. Trump did what he said he did in the 2005 video (sexual assault), then he would be subject to legal action. Apparently, he’s not scared of that, though.
In several of Mr. Trump’s real-estate ventures, he has conceivably hired illegal immigrants to work. At the end of August a report stating that Trump had hired undocumented Polish laborers to clear the site of what is now Trump Tower, shined a light on his sketchy (and illegal) business tactics.
At the same time, though, Donald Trump has argued that the police officers in the United States need to be treated better He constantly uses the phrase “law and order,” referring to the Nixonian euphemism which demands a strict criminal justice system, which leads to the next point.
This is a reflection of his personality. As you’ve probably come to realize, Donald Trump’s taxes are a bigger issue than just his taxes. Everything related to the situation is a reflection of his personality and life. First off, he has contradicted himself an innumerable amount of times, which indicates one (or more) of the stances he’s taken is false. Trump’s defense of this issue, just like almost every other he has been asked about during his campaign, is riddled with lies.
Speaking of lies… In the first debate, Trump reportedly lied 16 times. Psychology Today offered a possible explanation for why he lies so much, saying, “It has to do with self-esteem. You want to be like someone else because you aren’t very happy with yourself.” It makes sense. Every time Clinton questioned Trump’s self-esteem, he couldn’t resist firing back. If he can’t govern his own temperament, it’s only reasonable to question his ability to govern the entire nation.
Another takeaway that has been brought to light is the notion that Trump is hiding something — always. Mamaroneck High School student Rebecca Novick agreed that Trump has not released his tax returns due to this tendency, saying, “I think he’s hiding something that he doesn’t want other people to know about.” Mamaroneck student Jack Spiridellis wasn’t as convinced, but added, “There’s definitely some sort of issue with [his tax returns], […] and whether it’s small or big, right now there’s just so much spotlight on his tax returns that if there’s any little issue, it’s going to be highlighted massively by the Clinton campaign.”
He has no respect for the longstanding traditions of our political system. If Donald Trump does successfully make it to Tuesday, November 8th without disclosing his tax returns, he would be the first presidential candidate to refuse to make a tax disclosure since Richard Nixon during his 1968 and 1972 campaigns… and we all know how that turned out. Jimmy Carter released his tax returns, Ronald Reagan released his tax returns, George H. W. Bush released his tax returns, Bill Clinton (yes, even Bill Clinton) released his tax returns, George W. Bush released his tax returns, and Barack Obama (yes, even Barack Obama)released his tax returns.
In the last presidential debate, Donald Trump was off to a strong start, until he refused to admit that he would accept the outcome of the election if he lost. No one knows what impact, precisely, Trump’s lack of acceptance of the result would have, but refusing to concede would be a strong sign of disrespect to a perennial American tradition. “Ever since Thomas Jefferson effected the first change in party power in 1800, our democracy has depended upon the peaceful transfer of power and the idea of an opposition — but a loyal opposition,” Allan Lichtman, a political historian at American University, told The Huffington Post. “Is Trump going to change 200 years of American history?” Most are unsure of that question, too. However, declining to accept the outcome could have real-life consequences, such as undermining the next president, triggering violence, and — most obviously — underming democracy as a whole.
Thus, it’s clear: Trump, who considers himself ultra-American and patriotic, has refused to follow some of the most American political ideals.
With all of these points in mind, people have to wonder: who’s the real fool? The Donald or We the People?
