Representative Reichert’s letter-to-the-editor defending his votes to hide Trump’s taxes, proves he is a skilled politician who can make wrong sound right.

Here are his tricks:

False-equivalency – Reichert says some constituents want Trump’s taxes investigated, others disagree. Almost everyone wants Trump’s taxes investigated.

Good intentions: He wants you to think he agrees Trump’s taxes should be seen. Stating this is an impotent gesture. Actions count; intentions don’t. He voted to hide them.

Half-truth: “campaign traditions don’t supersede…” the law’s protections of tax privacy. True, but the 1924 law, 6103, clearly states Reichert’s committee can request the tax returns of the Executive branch.

Falsehood: Looking at Trump’s taxes would threaten the privacy of Americans. No, it would not set a precedent for average citizens. The law applies to investigating the Executive, not private citizens.

Alternative fact: Reichert states, “The Ways and Means Committee has never been in the business of targeting the tax returns of single individuals.” Wrong. In 1974, they “targeted” Nixon*, finding he owed $500,000. The precedent is set, and hasn’t hurt average citizens.

To lie, you must know the truth. Reichert is just parroting party colleagues without questioning them. We expect more.

Roger Ledbetter

Snoqualmie

*The 1974 Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation investigation into Nixon’s taxes was conducted at his request, and resulted in his owing the government $476,431.