My husband is a County Supervisor in Wisconsin. This is tough. As a Patriot, this is extreme overreach. As an American, this is 100% necessary to stop the waste, fraud and abuse. I guess the real question is “Who has access to this information?”.
Nobody in our current government can be trusted with it, and I certainly wouldn’t want the public to be able to look at my finances.
We all have to provide our financial records each time we file taxes. The supreme court ruled the President cannot conceal his tax records, precedent was established.
I had to file public disclosure of any income or assets over $5,000 when I served on a public commission that handled student loan funds. Although I didn't particularly like it, I can see the value of the accountability when a person has voting power over public funds.
Does this law only involve the person who is the public official or does the spouse have to also put their net worth down in the form? This kind of thing may be necessary but it seems very personal to me. I'm not sure if I agree with this or not, but bribery has to be stopped at all costs and we need to know our "public" officials are not in the "public" office to get much richer than when they went in.
I agree with you. I just question who is trustworthy enough to have access to this information. Also, we were convinced that the Patriot Act was necessary. Yikes!
I’d say not only document the financials for the elected official, but ALSO the spouse PLUS their children PLUS their parents PLUS their siblings PLUS their in-laws.
Look at all the corruption with Biden and Zelensky alone - they’ve been shoveling money across their entire broader family for years or (in Biden’s case) many DECADES.
What you say about the Bidens is true; although, that doesn't mean every politician and their family will be like them. Biden probably wasn't like them in the beginning, he just found out somewhere, early, along the way that he could enrich himself like crazy and did it without a second thought.
I believe most politicians should show financials, at this point just them and not their spouse or family members. Then when they start to get mansions and other lucrative items accumulating, it is time for a deeper dig. I think up to that point they should be looked at carefully but no records accessed. What we need now is to find out how many other Bidens are mixed in with the "decent" politicians who aren't cheating and corrupted.
I don't think someone's net worth is really anyone else's business. Conflicts of interest, yes. Financial interest in things that affect the public, yes. But if I inherit 10 million dollars I wouldn't want everyone in town knowing it. Especially if it's a small town, but in any event. I agree with you 100%
Your comment is the closest to my gut reaction Fren. I do counter my own initial response with the recent experience of filing for a personal loan. The questions asked of me were insanely invasive. I contribute material goods and services to my local economy and I received a financial enema. Government officials are providing a service too, in a perfect world. But they have access to incomes (due to influence) that do not rely on any material contributions. I share the conundrum with you. GodsPede for you and your husband.
My husband makes about $100 per month for about 20-30 hours per month of work. Let me do the math for you…he makes bank at the rate of less than $5/hour. Yeah…you caught us. We’re rolling in it. Sarcasm intended. Your accusation is highly offensive.
It's not the government pay the law is designed to find, it is the kickbacks. Those getting filthy rich aren't doing it off their paycheck.
Asking officials to declare their income isn't to look at what the government is paying them that is already part of the official record. It is looking into their other sources of income and getting it on record what they are receiving to where at some point the discrepancies in what they say they are making verses what they are spending and putting away can come to light.
Just have him quit then. No problem. Done. Actually, I believe government work should not be paid. Only reimbursed for actual expenses. Like charity work. What’s wrong with that?
Fantastic idea. Pretty shortsighted, but fantastic. When you factor in the cost of doing this job, he’s definitely donating his time. You’re right. The left would absolutely love it.
And then, after doing their service of one term, the politician would return to his civilian business or farm, which the family and neighbors he represents have kept running. Just the way the Founders intended government service to be.
My husband is a County Supervisor in Wisconsin. This is tough. As a Patriot, this is extreme overreach. As an American, this is 100% necessary to stop the waste, fraud and abuse. I guess the real question is “Who has access to this information?”.
Nobody in our current government can be trusted with it, and I certainly wouldn’t want the public to be able to look at my finances.
I don’t know how I feel about this.
We all have to provide our financial records each time we file taxes. The supreme court ruled the President cannot conceal his tax records, precedent was established.
Does any of this cover slush funds in shell companies?
It should. They are assets.
I had to file public disclosure of any income or assets over $5,000 when I served on a public commission that handled student loan funds. Although I didn't particularly like it, I can see the value of the accountability when a person has voting power over public funds.
Does this law only involve the person who is the public official or does the spouse have to also put their net worth down in the form? This kind of thing may be necessary but it seems very personal to me. I'm not sure if I agree with this or not, but bribery has to be stopped at all costs and we need to know our "public" officials are not in the "public" office to get much richer than when they went in.
I agree with you. I just question who is trustworthy enough to have access to this information. Also, we were convinced that the Patriot Act was necessary. Yikes!
I’d say not only document the financials for the elected official, but ALSO the spouse PLUS their children PLUS their parents PLUS their siblings PLUS their in-laws.
Look at all the corruption with Biden and Zelensky alone - they’ve been shoveling money across their entire broader family for years or (in Biden’s case) many DECADES.
What you say about the Bidens is true; although, that doesn't mean every politician and their family will be like them. Biden probably wasn't like them in the beginning, he just found out somewhere, early, along the way that he could enrich himself like crazy and did it without a second thought. I believe most politicians should show financials, at this point just them and not their spouse or family members. Then when they start to get mansions and other lucrative items accumulating, it is time for a deeper dig. I think up to that point they should be looked at carefully but no records accessed. What we need now is to find out how many other Bidens are mixed in with the "decent" politicians who aren't cheating and corrupted.
I don't think someone's net worth is really anyone else's business. Conflicts of interest, yes. Financial interest in things that affect the public, yes. But if I inherit 10 million dollars I wouldn't want everyone in town knowing it. Especially if it's a small town, but in any event. I agree with you 100%
Your comment is the closest to my gut reaction Fren. I do counter my own initial response with the recent experience of filing for a personal loan. The questions asked of me were insanely invasive. I contribute material goods and services to my local economy and I received a financial enema. Government officials are providing a service too, in a perfect world. But they have access to incomes (due to influence) that do not rely on any material contributions. I share the conundrum with you. GodsPede for you and your husband.
My husband makes about $100 per month for about 20-30 hours per month of work. Let me do the math for you…he makes bank at the rate of less than $5/hour. Yeah…you caught us. We’re rolling in it. Sarcasm intended. Your accusation is highly offensive.
Apology accepted, but yes, you DID accuse:
“I can see your conflict. Cuz your on the govt teat. I bet your hubby makes bank. And that is part of the abuse & waste. Hence your conflict.”
I completely agree that our government is too big, needs trimming, is corrupt AF, A-unnecessary and B-overpaid.
Who did the Patriot Act hurt? Who will this hurt?
It's not the government pay the law is designed to find, it is the kickbacks. Those getting filthy rich aren't doing it off their paycheck.
Asking officials to declare their income isn't to look at what the government is paying them that is already part of the official record. It is looking into their other sources of income and getting it on record what they are receiving to where at some point the discrepancies in what they say they are making verses what they are spending and putting away can come to light.
I understand that and I agree with that and I support that. I will reiterate my question. “Who should be responsible for reviewing these records?”.
Government salaries (income) are public.
Just have him quit then. No problem. Done. Actually, I believe government work should not be paid. Only reimbursed for actual expenses. Like charity work. What’s wrong with that?
Fantastic idea. Pretty shortsighted, but fantastic. When you factor in the cost of doing this job, he’s definitely donating his time. You’re right. The left would absolutely love it.
And then, after doing their service of one term, the politician would return to his civilian business or farm, which the family and neighbors he represents have kept running. Just the way the Founders intended government service to be.
Nobody could afford to work in govt except wealthy peopke