transparency

A Humanitarian Move from a Leadership Perspective

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A $4 billion border funding bill was passed by Congress today. Although at first blush it seems to be the funding “demanded” by Trump in order for him to finance a southern wall (that he vowed would be financed by Mexico), in fact, this bill is not for financing a wall.

Actually, the funds are intended to finance care of those who are migrants and being held in detention while waiting for an immigration hearing.

How far removed these detention centers are from the detention camps of WWII becomes questionable when the most recent news reports revealed how dire the circumstances of the detainees. Little to no food, no hygiene, no beds, children caring for other children and infants.

One compelling story seemed to push the envelope, that regarding the Central American man and his daughter who drowned while attempting to ford the Rio Grande.

Trump was shown pictures of their corpses. Appropriately, he expressed dismay. But he immediately returned to character by rebuffing responsibility in any form by blaming hardball politics used by Congressional Democrats, that resulted in delays as attributable for the deaths.

What I keep asking myself is whether this man who many call the President of the United States (the legitimacy of that title is still in question) is actually capable of being an effective leader.

Does he have any grasp of what is required of him? Does he know how to tell the truth? Is he capable of taking responsibility for his own actions? Does he realize how much divisiveness he is creating? Is he even remotely aware of the racism he’s nurturing and growing (which is now being replicated in many places)?

Does this man called Donald Trump realize that while he purportedly holds the title of President of the United States, it is not only a concern of The Press but also of The People of this country with regard to what he will say to leaders of other countries when he attends conferences and meetings? He is acting in his capacity as the leader. The people are entitled to full disclosure and awareness. He is accountable for his words and actions, even if he keeps bending the rules so that he becomes the New Age Teflon Emperor.

The answer came to me several weeks ago, perhaps a few months ago. It was in the form of some old words that are beginning to fade with the passage of time. It appears those words, and the document which embodies them, need to become an essential lesson for those who are ten years and older. The words?

“When in the course of human events . . ..”

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Financial Disclosure for Election Candidates

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There’s so much to-do about Trump’s tax returns. Some may wonder why the returns are important. Others simply follow the current rhetoric in whatever camp they follow.

The things I attach to the importance of tax returns disclosure are:

  • it’s been the norm and part of the disclosures that Presidential candidates are supposed to make
  • the records show how well the candidate has managed their own finances and therefore become an indicia of how well the funds of the nation will be managed
  • good money management is part of good leadership
  • good money management leads to a healthy, growing economy
  • good money management involves proper allocation of assets and determines to a good extent whether negotiation is a better route compared with use of troops and weaponry

to name a few.

How well the budgets can be managed is what's at stake

How well can the budgets can be managed is what’s at stake

So is the outcry for real Trump tax returns more of the political reality show or is it a legitimate cry for disclosure of good leadership and management abilities?

OpenSecrets.org lists a number of requirements for disclosure by people seeking to hold various federal and government offices. As far as its being a longstanding tradition (if not a requirement), there was analysis of Romney’s disclosing only two years of his returns accompanied by a discussion of whether or not it is a requirement. Following a tradition is admirable but that’s not an indicator of leadership; it’s more evidence of being good at being a lemming.

Consideration of what financial disclosure provides and what about it is meaningless is discussed in an article from Bloomberg. According to Gregory Walden, an attorney who helped Mitt Romney file his disclosure statements, “It’s not intended to be a net worth statement,” he said. “It’s intended to guard against conflicts and potential conflicts.”

In May 2015, the Senate considered making tax return disclosure mandatory under what will be called the Presidential Tax Transparency Act. That act “would require a presidential candidate to release the most recent three years of tax returns to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within 15 days of becoming the nominee at the party convention. If the candidate refuses to comply, the Treasury Secretary would provide the tax returns directly to the FEC for public release.” Considering where we are today, the Act has yet to be born. So the accusations continue, as well as the political reality show.

The analysis of the proposed Act is very much worth a read for the education about tax disclosure that it provides. Perhaps it will be enacted after November.

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