Transparency is vital in all forms of government and nowhere more so than when it comes to who we choose to lead our nation.

That is why presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s refusal to share his tax filing documents is very concerning.

This has become a big campaign issue as Democrat Harry Reid and others have kept it at the forefront, even going so far as saying that Romney didn’t pay any taxes over a 10-year period.

If that is true it certainly casts the Republican hopeful in a different light. Even if Romney didn’t the violate any laws many would question electing a president who would go to any means necessary to avoid paying taxes.

Of course Romney’s camp vehemently denies Reid’s claims but have still declined to release fully the tax documents.

Both candidates should insist their campaigns fully disclose this personal financial information.

Voters deserve to know how a candidate manages his or her own money before entrusting that candidate with handling to handle the public’s dollars.