GOP Presumptive Presidential Nominee and Other Things Mitt Romney told Parade Magazine that to release his tax returns would allow everyone to see how much money he has tithed to his church.
So (today at least), he won’t release his tax returns because it would be against his religion.
Speaking to Parade Magazine:
Ann Romney said their tithing to the Mormon Church is so meaningful and personal, she cries every time they sign over a check.
"So do I," Mitt added, "but for a different reason."
Source ~ Raw Story
(Oh! Because it makes you cry to give away some of your money? Is this supposed to be some sort of "har har" moment that middle class people can identify with? Like when Lucy bought a hat for too much money and Ricky was really annoyed?)
Well, no, it’s not that, people-units. It’s religion:
"Our church doesn’t publish how much people have given," he’s quoted saying. "This is done entirely privately. One of the downsides of releasing one’s financial information is that this is now all public, but we had never intended our contributions to be known. It’s a very personal thing between ourselves and our commitment to our God and to our church."
Source ~ Raw Story
Well, I suppose it would be public if you really had released your financial information, Governor Romney. Except, of course, you haven’t. There’s that.
Problem?
The statement opens a fresh front in the rhetorical war on Romney’s campaign over the candidate’s refusal to detail more than two years of his financial history, and represents yet another significant reversal for Romney, who bragged to Parade Magazine and Fox News just earlier this year that he’s given millions to the church and regularly tithes 10 percent of his pre-tax income.
Source ~ Raw Story
And it’s on the tubes! Cue tape (at 9:53) at which Governor Romney discusses his tithing and his honesty about it.
Video is in the link.
And there’s more from PARADE:
Tithing sounds like a form of it takes a village. You're helping the community.
MR: I think you'll find that conservatives are more generous philanthropically than people who are not conservatives. People who are in favor of small government are very much in favor of personal action to help other people in need.
Is that a form of socialism?
MR: From the very beginning, the willingness of neighbors to help raise the barn of a next-door neighbor was characteristic of America. But at the same time we take personal responsibility for our lives. Does government play a role? Absolutely. You know, I chuckle when I hear people say, 'Oh, they don't want any government.' Of course we want government! But it is government to encourage the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of its citizens, as opposed to direct the course of their living.
Parade
Yup – "direct the course of their living" – such as staying alive if they cannot afford to see a doctor or pay for food or rent or something. But that’s just me.