Letters to the Editor
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I agree with the McCains here
Apparently, the children are big beneficiaries of Cindy McCain's 100 million dollar fortune. Their trusts etc. are then dislosed to the public. I think a little disclosure is appropriate and then leave it at that. I believe the McCain's still have a minor child and really, it's nobody's business about their fortune. The vast majority of money comes from Cindy's family and she doesn't even run the company.
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Wait a minute...
Why did McCain collect Social Security?? It's not like he needs the money. That is supposed to be a safety net for poorer Americans so they can retire with dignity, not an added bonus to an already rich politician. Isn't that newsworthy? I thought that SS was in trouble. Why is McCain syphoning money from it? Is anyone else concerned about this?
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@buzzard
It's entirely appropriate for him to collect Social Security. He paid in, he's entitled to collect.
What's really hypocritical is when a politicians condemns tax cuts that he himself benefits from. Look at the Clintons - do they pay the (notably higher) taxes they would have to pay if the Bush tax cuts hadn't happened? I very much doubt it. Nothing stops them, they can always pay more than they have to.
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AlecsMom
In a more reasonable world, I might agree with you. However, this isn't really about privacy or if he should release various financial statements. It is a matter of a level playing field. If the Republicans state that both candidate and spouse should release all their tax returns, then the same should hold true for both Democratic and Republican candidates. The Republicans need to be held to what they claim are their own standards. As it is, the Republican policy and philosophy is: Laws and Morality apply to other people.
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@Alecsmom
Good point, but it still smacks of double standards: much of HRC's money is from Bill. Obama has minor children. And while McCain "on paper" seems to be worth a "mere" $400k, that's clearly not the full picture. If elitism and uber wealth is an issue this season, the fact that his spouse is able to lease his campaign a jet should certainly be fair game for criticism.
Personally, I'm not interested in the incomes of any of the candidates. I don't think it helps us make reasoned decisions about them. I think it does lead us to draw knee-jerk conclusions "Oh. s/he is stinking rich, so they must be out of touch!" What candidates *say*, what they do, and how they respond to people and events, is far more telling than the line on their 1040.
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"Why did McCain collect Social Security??"
You beat me to it. My jaw dropped open. I have a feeling Nash "I want to know if you believe in the American flag" McCabe wouldn't have a problem with John McCain accepting SS payments when he's making a nice salary on his own, has a money-bags wife and 9 or 10 houses. But that flag pin...
...oh never mind that the elite Sen. McCain is accepting SS AND he doesn't wear a flag pin.
Obama's "bitterness" remark comes into clearer focus by the day.
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cestmoi123
What's really hypocritical is when a politicians condemns tax cuts that he himself benefits from
I disagree. I would say it is true only if they condemn it, but vote to keep it when the chance comes around. Yes, they could pay more, but why should they? This just gives the greedy more of a free ride and further shelters them from the consequences of their actions. If you keep going down that road, responsible liberals would pay 50% or more in taxes while Republicans paid nothing at all.
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Collecting Social Security...
why that's like being on welfare according to some conservatives.
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Cindyu McCain's tax returns.
Of course she will never divulge her tax returns. That rule only applies to Democratic Candidates, not Republicans.
And not even one media reporter will ask a single question about this. Not one. they are too invested in getting thier friend, John McCain, into the White House, where they can continue their lapdog act for another eight years.
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@Lynx
I do think it's hypocrisy - much akin to a politician raging against the breakdown of the American family and having an affair, or someone who attacks the evils of abortion and then sends his daughter off to get one.
If you think gov't should mandate X, then you should be willing to do X voluntarily.
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Teresa Heinz's
income tax returns were none of anyones damn business. Neither are Cindy McCain's. The difference, McCain has the stones to say so and stick to it. Kerry, like the democRAT party gives in to pressure, focus groups and out of touch consultants, and does not stand up for what's right.
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A missing element
It would be interesting to see the spouse's tax returns, but I'm most interested in the candidate's. I would be more interested in seeing an accounting of the candidate's charitable contributions (and what percentage of their income that represents). I think I've read that the McCains are very generous givers, though am not sure if that comes from his or her $$ (or both).
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Other Things McBush Needn't Worry About ...
It's pretty simple: if we hold the McCains to the standards set by the Republican Party, today's disclosures by McCain are inadequate and incomplete.
But we all know that's not going to happen, so they needn't worry about it.
Nor does he need to worry about the MSM pointing out his abysmal record in regards to veteran's affairs, or being asked just how his economics policies are actually going to work the way he says they will short of divine intervention.
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cestmoi123
Who are you talking about? I don't catch the references.
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McCain is entitled to Social Security
Social Security was designed for old feeble men and women. When you are so old that you don't have much time left you can collect it without any penalty. When you are older than 70 and closing out the final chapter of your very, very long old life there is nothing wrong with getting Social Security. My great granny got it when she was really really old and John McCain should get it now that he is really really really old and ancient and almost dead too. Yeah, when I'm old and about to croak because I am so old and feeble minded that I can't remember where I left my ass because I am so old and feeble minded and old, I'll get some too. If it's not all gone when I am old and feeble minded and old like John McCain is. Oh, and did I mention old? And feeble minded, and old?