The Washington Post is reporting that 79 members of Congress had to request extensions to file their financial disclosure forms this year. They are due by May 15 each and every year.

These reports in no way deal with “rocket science” but they are scrutinized by opponents to see just how much an office holder is worth and what they own. Plus, the media reports on it, so you want to submit a correct report. But 79 members requesting extensions is too many no matter what the note says from their mothers.

According to the Post, U.S. Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont., requested and received a one month extension from the Senate Ethics committee.

There are about three reasons to request an extension, but none are really “good” reasons:

1. You have so darn much money that you need more time to count it.
-This is a heck of a position to be in, huh?
2. You are new to Congress and you don’t have your ducks in a row
-I could not find my office, my computers are not working, nobody told me, I have not been home to get the papers since I first drank the D.C. Kool-aid, etc.
3. You are under some sort of investigation, so you want to double and triple check it.
-I am having several accountants and lawyers review the paperwork…

I have always found these reports interesting, but I am a geek when it comes to reviewing stuff like this. I use the website: http://www.fecinfo.com/ .

The Great Falls Tribune “tried” to cover the financial disclosure reports from the three members of the Montana delegation in this STORY. Most newspapers and TV stations in Montana could really use a good political reporter as well as a good military reporter.

One thing that troubles me is that most of these elected officials, including Montana’s, are very wealthy compared to the average American. Do they really understand what it’s like to choose between food and medicine or not being able to buy school clothes for your children? I don’t think so and that’s the problem in today’s political world.