Candidates, please take notice -- this issue IS important.
On the subject of personal privacy and finances, while it may be the custom for candidates for statewide office to reveal their personal finances, is there any good reason why they should?
What difference does someone's income make in their ability to lead? Is it relevant? Is the size of incumbent Governor Jim Douglas' retirement account important, or merely titillating? Is the net worth of candidate Gaye Symington's husband essential to deciding whether she can govern or is it voyeurism?
Will voters decide to vote for candidate Anthony Pollina based on his network or his position on Vermont Yankee?
Locally, will voters in Warren, Waitsfield and Fayston choose incumbent State Representative Carol Hosford or challenger Adam Greshin based on their household income? Will Moretown, Northfield and Roxbury voters choose between incumbents Maxine Grad, Anne Donahue and challenger Anthony Vach based on their wealth?
How preposterous. Why aren't we making these choices based on legislative history, policy positions and relevant life experience?
Personal financial information is private and should remain that way. There is no reason for voters to need candidates' private financial information and there is definitively no reason for anyone's household income to be exposed through the state's flawed property tax relief program.
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