The radio announcers on Kol Hai have been bending over backwards to defend Deri and say it is not a big deal, every Haredi busy homes for their kids that they cannot afford and takes mortgages and whatnot, plus some of that happened in the period in which he was not in politics, so maybe he made some money elsewhere, etc.
I have said it before, and I will say it again.
As a freelancer, I am obligated to submit to the tax authorities every few years a declaration of wealth. In Hebrew this is called a "hatzharat hon". They require it of freelancers because they know that there is room to hide some money, and a declaration of wealth and assets on record will give them the ability to compare my lifestyle with my declared assets and earnings, and let them know if there is anything suspicious going on.
All politicians should be required to submit a declaration of wealth and assets. There should be no surprises. If a politician owns 10 houses, we should know how he is able to afford it. If he owns a yacht and a palace and a Rolls Royce, it should be made clear to the authorities that it is within his means in whatever way.
There is no reason not to, and it will keep them above suspicion when they aren't doing anything wrong.
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"when they aren't doing anything wrong"????? You have just invented an imaginary type of politician.
ReplyDeleteAbout the hatharat hon, I don't recall if all MKs have to give it or only those at a certain level, but they do. BUT.
ReplyDeleteI recall a news segment in which the reporter was given access to the office and shown and filmed the safe that these reports are kept in. I'm sure the reporter was dying to see what was inside but the information he reported was that while many MKs do report their wealth, the system DOES NOT verify each report and many sit untouched in that safe.
My issue with Deri being in the news is that so many people want to take him down and that the homes for the kids is definitely not the main issue, and more like the media trying to paint him as some rich dude that does not care about the poor people - as if only poor MKs can care about poor people and that the left wingers are definitely not rich, etc..