Mike Barnhill
Ashland
Dear Editor:
The question of liability for Donald Trump regarding "tax fraud" is a moot question. Did he fill out his tax forms or did he pay to have others do it? Should you vote against a second presidential term for Trump based on yet to be declared tax fraud? Probably not. If there is wrongdoing, the fault will be that of the tax firm doing his paperwork. Unless of course, the firm testifies they were instructed to give false information by Donald Trump regarding of his income.
Most self-employed taxpayers will agree that tax laws are often in question regarding interpretation. Many will use this method to formulate their taxes, "If it's in Black & White, we do it right. If it's in Shades of Gray, we do it my way." Again, we do not cheat on our taxes, we just use the best available methods to avoid paying them. Using this reasoning, it would allow a voter to feel good about voting for Trump a second time.
There is a second thing to be considered in a vote for Donald Trump. If he deliberately falsified the value of properties to be of a lesser value to gain a tax edge is one thing and may be overlooked. But what if his property investments are losing money, as reported, and he is forced to ask for loans to make up the losses? Again, the "if" he inflates the value of his holdings (as Michael Cohen has testified before Congress) and gains loans on false premises isn't that something to be concerned about? Regardless if it's considered illegal to do so or not, isn't it of considerable proof that Trump will do or say anything to get out of trouble and can't be considered reliable to tell the truth?
The ability to tell the truth, even if it hurts your chances of winning a second term, is something admirable. Can Trump be trusted to tell the truth? Has he earned a second term?