In the midst of trying to tell corporate America to come clean, President Bush needs to be honest with his financial past as well.

Bush has defended his selling of stock while working nearly a decade ago at Harken Energy Corp. Published reports have said Bush sold the stock at about $4 a share after obtaining inside information that the company was going to record a huge loss that year. Not too long after Bush sold the stock, it plunged to about $1 a share.

The Securities and Exchange Commission did an investigation back in 1991 and cleared him of all charges.

If that's the case, it's perplexing to us why Bush isn't being more forthcoming with his past.

Whether he likes it or not, Bush is in a position of leadership. And being a good leader starts with being a good example.

Trying to sweep this topic under the rug isn't helping him. The best way for Bush to clear the air is to tell the American public what he did and move on.