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If Mitt Romney Releases His Tax Returns He Could Be the Next Richard Nixon

As we all know, 1% posterboy and GOP presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney hasn't released any of his tax returns. Check that – he hasn't released in tax returns that anyone cares about. Mittens is of the opinion that 2010 and 2011 are the only tax returns we need to see. Many people disagree.

As we've stated, what we're likely to learn about Willard if he does release more tax returns is that, over the years, he made a lot of money, donated a lot of money, made a lot of money, called Massaschusetts his home, and MADE A METRIC ASSTON OF MONEY. This will enrage many people because, well, people that aren't rich don't like rich people legally avoiding taxes and other things of that nature that rich people do. Call me crazy, but that is dumb. Mitt Romney would not have gotten as fabulously wealthy as he did if he did use all the advantages at his disposal, which includes hiring people to help him navigate our byzantine tax system.

So it doesn't make sense when a man who is running on his business acumen doesn't embrace this opportunity to show people just how fucked up the tax system is by pointing to his own situation. It's as easy as saying, "Look! I'm a rich guy. Look what I paid people to do over the years. This is madness. As President, I can fix this," or something along those lines.

Joe Thorndike, a tax historian with Tax Analysts, makes this point in a Wall Street Journal op-ed by drawing a historical comparison of Romney with our 37th President, Richard Milhous Nixon.

Now, I know what you're thinking; another Watergate would be a HOOT but Joe has something else in mind:

If [Romney] can survive the firestorm of ginned-up outrage that's sure to follow a major release [of his tax returns], then a newly inaugurated President Romney might be well positioned to lead the charge for real tax reform. If only an ardent anticommunist like Nixon could go to China, then maybe only a pro-business Republican with lots of experience in legally avoiding taxes can get American taxpayers out of the Caymans.

Again, call me crazy but that just might work. So c'mon, Mitt. Just let us have 'em. If you don't, you might end up like Tricky Dick anyway – sweating in the debates.

Romney Should Release His Tax Returns [WSJ]