Congress is seeking tax returns just to harass the president

The controversy over President Trump’s tax returns continues to intrigue me. It strains credibility that a statute allows Congress access to anyone’s income tax return at any time for any reason. I saw enough politicization of the IRS during the Obama era.

On the one hand, it is helpful when politicians release their tax returns. Look how hypocritical that “man-of-the-people” Bernie Sanders appears when we see two recent years of $1 million income. Or that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris donate a lower percentage of their income to charity than the average American.

Unlike most politicians, Trump has extensive business interests, especially in real estate deals governed by numerous, sometime murky, tax regulations. His voluminous tax returns would require months to analyze, critique and play out on CNN.

Therefore, publicizing details about Trump’s numerous and complex business activities seems unwarranted and unnecessary. Congressman Nadler’s committee — which likely cannot distinguish between a tax credit and a tax deduction — is going to dispassionately critique the IRS audits for nonpolitical reasons? That is really rich.

Perhaps the required financial disclosures completed by Trump and many others are inadequate. If so, let’s work on improving them instead of subpoenaing a political opponent’s tax returns solely to harass that opponent.

James Largay

Upper Saucon Township

the time to honor those still fighting on the front lines

Sheila Berg

Weisenberg Township