Tax records
Tax records
Clear up the issue
Mitt Romney needs to release 10 years of his tax returns.
Tax policy, as it relates to the highest earners, is a central issue in this upcoming election.
Gov. Romney’s business is money. He doesn’t make widgets or sell dog sweaters. He makes his money on his money, allowing others to do the work of widgets and dog sweaters.
This is good and necessary but does not refute the fact that Gov. Romney is a money guy.
Will the tax policy he advocates personally benefit him and other “risk takers” who make their living off other people’s money and work?
If the tax breaks are allowed to expire for upper earners and changes are made to how capital gains and hedge fund managers are taxed it could cost Gov. Romney a cool $25 million on his $250 million fortune. People say and do many things for a lot less money.
The American people need to know if there is a personal conflict of interest in Gov. Romney’s stance on tax reform.
Clearing up this issue is easy: Just release 10 years of his tax returns so the people can see how advantaged he will be if his programs are instituted and whether he had gamed the tax system to maximize his income in the past.
Joe Appleton
Waimea
Mural’s demise
Surprising speed
What a lovely front page article (Aug. 6) entitled Breakin’ It Down about the fourth annual festival at the Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa.
They brought in dancers and artist from throughout Hawaii, the mainland and around the world.
They presented all the positive elements of hip hop, performances, competitions, live paintings and numerous other things.
They sought to empower our young people to know the possibilities of art.
Why they even featured several popular street artists and showed a picture of students adding art to a wall at the Donkey Mill.
Hmm … fancy all that.
Too bad that fantastic mural on Palani Road is no longer there to serve as inspiration to these young students. That was an incredible piece of art my daughter and I admired, in detail, on one of the few days it brightened Kailua-Kona.
Too often the wheels turn ever so slowly, but it this tragic case it surprised the hell out of me as to just how fast things can move — if you squeak to the right person.
R. Ackerman
Kailua Kona