ELIZABETH KOSKI, Richland

Up until now, aspiring presidents have been proud to offer years of their tax returns for public scrutiny. They may hold some indication of personal integrity.

But for me, it's no longer necessary to see Mitt Romney's records. After years of telling us he'd "be happy to" relinquish his records for public viewing, his reluctance to do so now speaks loudly enough about his irresponsibility toward his country, his ability to lie with ease to the public and an unhealthy level of secrecy, unbecoming a presidential candidate.

But the "why?" persists, because I'm sure everything is perfectly legal. Is it embarrassment or shame or guilt that causes such reticence. It's certainly not pride.

But I think he missed a perfect opportunity for a much-needed public teaching moment into the incomprehensible complexities of the U.S. tax code and could have steered a serious discussion toward tax reform.

But maybe his controlling buddies in the 1 percent like things just as they are. When Romney talks about "lower taxes, economic freedom," seriously, whose economic freedom do you suppose he's talking about?