Mitt Romney's Transparency Problem

Along with the transparency problems that all GOP members have, regardless, Mitt Romney has one that crops up every once in a while during election time. He isn't the first and won't be the last. There's a phenomenon going on where phantom companies will crop up for the sole purpose of donating large amounts of money anonymously to a specific candidate's PAC and then shortly thereafter the company will dissolve.

The purpose of this is so that they get large amounts of funding without having to disclose who or what has given them the money. This money is used to create ad campaigns for the candidate, but without ever letting the average citizen in on where that money is coming from. This is mostly so that you, the average citizen, are unaware of it if that money is coming from a dubious person or entity.

The effort to hide the money trail and to hide the donors is disturbing, because people need to know where that money is coming from. If the money is coming from a dubious donor, its important that the American citizens are aware, because it could influence the politics of the candidate once they are in office. Not to mention it could be rather telling about the candidate and their proposed policies right now. Which is exactly why these phantom companies -- which are not all that legal to begin with -- are created. To stop you from taking a closer look at your candidate, his proposed policies, his record, and his donors.

Like I said, Romney is not the first to have this sort of transparency problem. And he will not be the last. But, he is already becoming notable for it. And, in fact, there are now complaints filed in an attempt to force an investigation and crackdown on these phantom companies.

There is also a call for Mitt Romney himself to denounce the phantom companies and insist he wants real transparency, and insist so loudly. The complaints were filed on behalf of The Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Personally, I don't know if I expect a real investigation to take place, or for anything to be done if they do have a real investigation and the findings are that laws have been broken. I also don't think that Mitt Romney is going to declare he wants open transparency when it comes to these things (or anything). I suppose he might, if the pressure gets too intense and threatens to hurt his campaign, but it won't be sincere and there will likely be no attempts on his part or his campaign's part to follow through on such a declaration. The GOP is against open transparency of any sort. Sometimes they pay lip service to wanting transparency, but its usually just lip service. It's all just for show, which is obvious when it comes to looking at their records, individually or collectively. Nothing changes after such statements.

So, don't actually expect much to come from this. It would be a pleasant surprise if something did happen, but it's unlikely. But, do be informed about it. Especially if you, or someone you know, was thinking about voting for this guy come 2012.