FU - FairAndUNbalanced.com

In response to T. Paine's
Privacy Is Not Immoral - Even for Mitt Romney

...it is my opinion that Obama and his surrogates are making Romney's taxes an issue as a distraction in order to avoid discussing what a vast majority of Americans of all political persuasions consider to be most important in this election; namely jobs and the economy.

- T. Paine, August 17, 2012

That would be a very poor strategy for the reason that I offered last time: Romney could reveal his records at any time, thereby putting an end to this "distraction."

"Do you really think that Romney’s past taxes trump those issues to most voters?"

- T. Paine

If Romney reveals his records and there is no problem, then voters will not care because it will no longer be an issue.

If Romney does not reveal his records, then most voters will probably not care because they will become focused on something else.

If Romney reveals his records and there is a problem, then more voters will care.

Romney benefits from keeping his records a mystery right now. If there is a problem and he conceals it, then it will fade away because Republicans apparently do not care. If there is no problem, then he can wait to prove it at some politically opportune time.

"Further, I would submit that Romney is refocusing voter attention on the economy accordingly."

- T. Paine

He criticizes Obama's economic policies while keeping the details of his own plans secret. He is running on "Reduce the deficit, lower taxes, and promote the free market." In short, he is comparing a charming non-record to Obama's record. That's fine, but we can't really have a debate unless he tells us exactly what he intends to do and how he intends to do it. In the absence of such details, it is reasonable for Obama to focus on other matters. This particular matter is relevant either way.

"If Mr. Root’s theory is correct that it isn’t the grades that Obama is hiding but rather his status as a foreign exchange student from Indonesia by the name of Barry Soetoro..."

- T. Paine

If, if, if. That is quite a leap. Here is a more reasonable explanation: Obama does not believe that his grades matter, but he does believe that some voters will care and that Republicans will use them as another weapon against him. Romney might use the same reasoning regarding his tax records. While I'm curious about both, I only really care about the latter.

"If you think Romney’s tax records, other than those he already released, are more relevant then perhaps you should contact your elected officials in congress and ask them to change the requirements for the number of years back that such records must be submitted for presidential candidates."

- T. Paine

That is a good suggestion. However, it does not change what I personally expect from a presidential candidate right now. If I were otherwise undecided, this could push me toward voting for Obama.

"Lastly, regarding your attempt to prove that I equated 'legal' with “moral”, are you trying to say that by Romney not releasing a decade of his past taxes, that he is somehow immoral?"

- T. Paine

My point was that legality and morality are separate matters. That we can neither imprison nor fine Romney for releasing only the last two years' records does not change the fact that some of us expect more from him for legitimate reasons. "He can do it" is not equivalent to "He should do it."

I am concerned that you are not concerned. We are talking about a presidential candidate. Are you really satisfied with only two years' worth of records from a candidate who may have been preparing for this election for the last two years? Are you saying that you would not expect the same from or be suspicious of Obama if the tables were turned?

Note that I doubt that Romney has broken the law. He has been in the public eye too often for that and I have no reason to believe that he has an inclination toward such behavior in the first place. Nevertheless, a higher standard is justified. It also wouldn't hurt to be able to compare his tax rates to his rhetoric.

"Is so, and assuming that your definition of 'immoral' is an accurate one, then I do need to get me a new Funk & Wagnells."

- T. Paine

Excuse me. I was not aware that there is a dictionary that dictates what is moral to us. I hereby renounce the heresy of reason and desirism to worship Funk and Wagnells (PBUT) and silence the heathen Websterites and Oxfordians.

Ryan is a generous contributor and valued participant. He also writes for his own site, where morality is not confined to narrow legalisms.

Please visit Secular Ethics.