Richard Nixon famously declared in November 1973, amid allegations he'd cheated on his personal taxes, "People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I am not a crook." Under pressure, Nixon soon released five years' worth of tax documents. Thus did a crooked president unintentionally launch one of the better traditions of American political transparency.
For four decades after Nixon, every major-party presidential candidate voluntarily released his or her personal tax returns. The practice spread to congressional offices, governorships and beyond. Americans have become so accustomed to the practice that the public is left with only one conclusion when a politician refuses to do it: He or she must have something to hide.
Then-candidate Donald Trump blithely broke the faith at the presidential level in 2016. Emboldened by Trump's example, then-gubernatorial candidate Eric Greitens of Missouri also opted to keep his financial life secret. Ponder how well that turned out.
Both major-party candidates in Missouri's U.S. Senate race seemed comfortable until this week, shrugging off repeated requests that they release their returns. Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill and Republican challenger Josh Hawley both finally did on Wednesday, after what had amounted to a standoff.
It shouldn't take that. State and federal lawmakers should codify such disclosure for candidates at every level, making it a basic prerequisite for elective office.
Disclosure should serve not only as a symbolic acknowledgement of our common duty as citizens, but also as a valuable source of information for voters choosing between candidates. How generous is the candidate with charities? How aggressive is the candidate at using tax loopholes, and what character insight does that provide? Where might potential conflicts of interest reside?
This isn't financial voyeurism but the most legitimate of political demands: Before I give you power over my taxes, I want to see yours.
Yet it was only after the Post-Dispatch's Kurt Erickson made multiple requests over weeks — and then called attention to the non-responses he was getting with a front-page story Wednesday — that McCaskill and Hawley both finally acquiesced.
At least they did. Most in Congress today don't. Last year, during the controversy over Trump's refusal to release his taxes, Roll Call asked all sitting members of Congress to release theirs. Fewer than 60 members agreed to, with more than 470 either refusing or not even answering the request.
The presidential tradition of transparency on personal taxes should be expanded through the rest of government, not diminished. Since Trump and others have made clear that norms alone aren't going to open the books anymore, state and federal legislation should require it of candidates at all levels, including the presidency.
Otherwise, it's fair to ask: What are they hiding?
REPRINTED FROM THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
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