To the Editor:
There have been concerning revelations over the holidays regarding money and government.
The elected president and vice president are required to have their in-office returns audited by the IRS. Presidents Obama and Biden and Vice-President Harris were audited in each of their years in office. The House Ways and Means Committee discovered that former president Trump was not IRS audited, at the direction of Trump Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
We now know from Trump’s federal income tax filings, ordered by SCOTUS to be provided to the House Committee, that former President Trump had a bank account but no known business or property in China at the time, just the account. And he lied about it. For several years, Trump paid more in foreign taxes than he did in the U.S.
We need federal legislation to require Party nominees for president and vice-president be required to submit their federal income tax returns for the prior 5 years for public review. Refusing and stalling should not be an option as their financials could affect policy decisions. That is a choice the electorate should weigh, not at the nominee’s option.
In another revelation, the NYTimes reported on the activities and fundraising of the Supreme Court Historical Society, a “nonprofit dedicated to the collection and preservation of the Court’s history.”
While the Historical Society claims to be independent of the judicial branch of government, the reality is that "the two are inextricably intertwined." Court justices serve as chair of the board, and host gala events where exclusive access to the justices is provided.
Of the $23 million dollars the Society raised over the last 20 years, much of the funding came from donations from corporate interests, law firms, special interest groups, or far-right activists, some in years when they had an active interest in a federal court case on appeal to the Court. They include anti-choice/abortion activists like Rev. Rob Schenck, Chevron, Goldman Sachs, Time Warner, and Facebook.
It is inappropriate, unacceptable, and undemocratic for the highest Court in the legal system to be open to a charge of pay-to-play with the justices. One solution is for Congress to budget for maintaining the Court’s history. Another option: legislation requiring SCOTUS to publish their tax returns.
Whatever it takes to keep the president, vice-president and SCOTUS off the auction block.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Prior to the mid-term election I heard it said the “average” American could not want to continue down the path we’ve been on for two years. They were fed-up over the high cost of gas, eggs, bread and bacon. Democrats running for senate said they’d do away with fossil fuel, increase health care and corporate handouts. But, don’t fret, the “average” American would vote out the Democrats. Republicans were set to take over the US Congress and Senate.
Here in California the Democrats have a super-majority, (60-19) with control of governor and both chambers of the legislature. So not surprising, on January 1 the minimum wage increased to $15.50, still not keeping with the current inflation rate. It’s okay to jaywalk. It’s believe this will encourage more people to walk. Your doctor may be leery to talk to you about COVID, because someone may turn them into the Medical Board for disseminating misinformation and they could lose their license to practice. Can’t ask anyone to move away from your business, loitering is now decriminalized. Like your Big Mac’s? Here in CA fast-food chains with 100 or more locations in the USA could see the minimum wage go as high as $22 an hour.
Not wishing to be cynical, I no longer believe the “average” American wants change. The opportunity to vote for change in November did not bring about the swing to the right as I, and many others, had hoped. Yet I strive to greet 2023 with a heart grateful for today and an open mind to what tomorrow will bring.
Patti Walker,
Fillmore