General Politics Discussion [ARCHIVED] • Page 410

Transparency is important. The media's failings in covering the election and/or our failings in processing information isn't reason to restrict information.

 

Wouldn't any savvy political elitist be able to hide anything damning?

Just seems like all this stuff would amount is nitpicking unimportant details for the sake of entertainment. Like what would Trump's tax returns tell us about him that we don't already know or suspect. What real difference does it make if Trump says he is worth 9 billion dollars when he is really worth 4ish?

And if it came out that he actually was worth 9 billion would the reaction be nothing more than " ok, I guess he didn't lie about this one thing." And assuming Trump's net worth is in the 4 billion territory, I have no trouble believing that his charitable donations live in the realm "millions of dollars".

I feel like I can make things easier on everyone by simply stating that both candidates make a lot of money, both probably don't pay as much as they should in taxes, both have some funneled money to questionable entities, and both have conflicts that would effect their judgment.

It also seems like transparency is more of a liability Clinton than Trump.

 

Where does that line get drawn though? When does the public declare they have a right to a candidate's google search history, their phone conversation transcripts, family photos? What kind of porn does Trump watch, the public has a right to know?

These are two candidates that have been at the top of the elite American food chain for decades. I don't need to see their tax returns or medical records to know they both have skeletons in their closet.

 

Reports: Hawks' Howard hospitalized after flight

Sounds like Dwight Howard isn't qualified to play basketball ever again anymore. Hawks should replace him with a duck.

 

Most people, including me, would rather have proof of things instead of "yeah probably"'s or assumptions.

Also, the rumors are Trump's not even worth a billion dollars. Yes, that's a big deal, because you're talking about a guy exagerating his own worth 2, 5, 10 times as much as it really is, and is telling people that his business success is one of the major reasons people should vote for him.

 

Beyond their tax returns and medical history, which can highlight or affirm relevant information about the candidate.

 

I guess I just don't see what's relevant about that information.

 

possible justification of knowing what porn trump watches: making sure it isnt child porn

 

I mean, to the extent that you'd base your vote on the amount of taxes Clinton pays (I wouldn't), your assumption that all rich people game their taxes presents a wildly inaccurate portrayal of Clinton, who has paid a 34% effective tax rate.

 

So hypothetically if Hillary's medical records show that she has a terminal illness and her tax returns show that she has numerous conflicts of interests while Trump's medical records show a perfectly healthy individual and a squeaky clean tax return you'r opinion of both candidates changes in some significant way?

 

It would have assuredly influenced the primary.

 

Ugh you just depressed the fuck out of me.

 

If it came out Hillary had a terminal illness that was going to cause her to die very soon, I would definitely say she needs to step aside and let a new nominee be selected. In that case, it will either be Biden or Sanders, either of which I'd be much happier about voting for.

Hillary's tax returns have already been released, FYI.

 

Of course, but that time has passed. Personally I still think Clinton would have gotten the nom even if video was released of her doing blow with al-Shishani while listening to Nickelback.

 

I didn't think we were having this discussion in the context of the here and now only. At least I wasn't.

 

Don't think this has been shared yet -

How Breitbart Conquered the Media

 

I think even widening the timeline to the primaries, I totally get your point, but I still don't like it. I would feel dirty as fuck shifting my support from my candidate of choice based on a revelation from a medical record that was none of my business to begin with.

 

What's the deal with applying troubling hypotheticals to Hillary? She is going against the most dangerous candidate in modern history, but what if she was in a coma?

 

Donald Trump might make Alex Jones an advisor but what if Hillary had Ebola

 

I guess it's because I can't fathom a likely scenario that could be released about Donald Trump that would convince his supporters to support someone else. Trump supporters don't seem to care about his behavior, rhetoric, and policy positions. Why would I think they would care about his taxes?

 

because there are moderates currently leaning toward trump that can change their mind

 

If there are so-called moderates leaning towards Trump, I feel like they are too far gone to be swayed by a medical record after everything Trump has done in this election.

 

I don't see what this has to do with my question.

But that aside - I agree completely. His base will not move away from him for any reason. They hate Hillary and what she stands for and he is mean to Hillary. But we did see how highlighting his troubling features at the DNC and his handling of the Khan family damaged his poll numbers significant for at least some period of time. His ceiling may be ~40 something, but it's not his floor. There is a meaningful number of people still capable of being swayed.

 

You said taxes, not medical record in the post I quoted, and if it comes out that trump pays no taxes and lies about his charitable contributions I absolutely think some moderates will side eye that

 

Well I was using medical and tax records interchangeably because I don't think either have any meaningful place in our elections and are just fodder for the media to fill air time.

I just think if you are even considering Trump, after everything that has happened, I don't see how these records sway you. Meanwhile, to me at least, it creates a mentality among the general electorate that these people belong to us and anything and everything that speaks to their character is up for grabs for public consumption under the guise of "we have a right to know".

Not that I am a Clinton supporter.