Does Der Manouel support transparency or not?
Normally, I’d leave a private citizen like Michael Der Manouel Jr. alone regarding his choice of presidential candidate to support.
Recently, though, his insurance company has been running a radio ad in which he can be heard proclaiming the importance of financial transparency.
Yet, he is backing Donald Trump, who refuses to disclose his tax returns and charitable contributions. Who falsely claims he can’t release his tax documents while under audit. Who claimed millions in donations to charity, even while very little of it has been unearthed by independent journalists.
So, how does Mr. Der Manouel reconcile his business ethics and their importance with his candidate’s lack thereof?
Mr. Der Manouel has been outspoken, both as a private citizen and as a leader of the local Republicans, about his faith in Trump. He is influential and has the ear of multiple Fresno City Council members who, in turn, are influential.
So, again, how does his allegiance to honesty and transparency in business dealings with the public square up with his candidate’s refusal to do the same?
If you want people to follow, make sure the bridge is secure.
Joel Dyer, Fresno
This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 1:24 PM with the headline "Does Der Manouel support transparency or not?."