Let's start with the most horrific stats you will read this election cycle. Joe Biden's Giving Record.
Here is Sen. Obama's info: by the way, interesting to note that he made over 4 mil last year. McCain doesn't try to say that they don't have money (how could he with his wife pulling in 6 mil last year!). But, Obama really tries to sell himself as an average guy trying to make a living! Looks like running for President is the most lucrative decision he ever made. . .
Really? His giving went up exponentially when he entered politics. . hmmmm. Still WAY under the typical reading of the basic 10% tithe! And, here I thought that was supposed to be just our starting point upon which we gave to other organizations above and beyond that!!! (yeah, I know that is a whole post and conversation in and of itself)
Palin hasn't released hers yet. . .Oh I am praying that they are higher than this crap!!!
McCain's look a little better but are MUCH more confusing since his wife holds most of the money. I couldn't find the same graph box as above, so I had to type it in. Sorry.
2006 $338,809 (AGI- Adjusted Gross Income) with $96,758 (Charitable Giving) = 28.6%
2007 $386,527 (AGI) with $105,467 (Charitable Giving) = 27%
The McCain site lists this information as well:
Senator McCain donates his royalties from his books to charitable organizations.
This sum has totaled over $1,800,000 since 1998 when he signed his first book
deal. Senator McCain's book income of $256,898 for 2006 and 2007 is comprised of
earnings for Faith of My Fathers, Worth the Fighting For, Why Courage Matters,
Character is Destiny, and Hard Call. Beginning in 1991, Senator McCain has also
donated the increase in his Senate salary for that year and each subsequent year
to charity because he opposed the Congressional pay increase at that time and
pledged not to accept the pay raises. The cumulative total of these donations is
over $450,000. 2006 In 2006, Senator and Mrs. McCain donated $129,390 from
community assets to charity, of which Senator McCain's one-half allocation was
$64,695. This is 19% of his adjusted gross income. 2007 In 2007, Senator and
Mrs. McCain donated $210,933 from community assets to charity, of which Senator
McCain's one-half allocation is $105,467. This is 27.2% of his adjusted gross
income for the year. Most of Senator McCain's contributions were made to the
John and Cindy McCain Family Foundation, which makes direct contributions to
charities. The Foundation's tax returns for 2006 and 2007, which include a list
of the charities to which Senator and Mrs. McCain contributed through the McCain
Family Foundation in 2006 and 2007, are available for download below.
I applaud these moves, but understand that his wife is the bucks. Her complete taxes are not available. Many of the sites I found try to guess at her giving through his information, but it appears that is not conclusive or a great way at figuring it out. . .as they may give outside of their family foundation for tax purposes. Hopefully, the McCain camp will release this as well. I do know that she in on the board of 2 organizations, including Operation Smile and HALO (mine removal) and is currently on a leave of absence from the Board of CARE. She has traveled abroad to MANY war torn nations and seems to be actively involved. I appreciate that her time has been spent wisely and sure would like to see proof that her money has been as well!
Ok, am I crazy or is this absurd? Seriously, if you are running the country and are attempting a reputation at caring for the poor. . .why doesn't it show? I am sad. . truly sad at this state of affairs.
15 comments:
wow this is very informative brandi thank you.
Wow, where do you find this stuff?
Thanks and I linked to you.
WOW! That is truly eye opening. YIKES! Angel
The McCains have donated a lot of money over the years to the elite schools that the McCain children attend:
http://harpers.org/archive/2008/02/hbc-90002519
As long as they have a non profit status- it's a tax write off just the same as if they were giving to any other organization.
(not to mention McCain's wife and her $300K outfit for the Republican National Convention- how many children could have been fed with that money?)
Yes, I did see the info on Cindy McCain's clothes. It was actually not her clothes but her earings that earned that whopper of a pricetag. All of the candidates and wives wore designer clothing. . .though I wouldn't be suprised if it was donated to them (loaned?). While I agree that I surely wouldn't spend that amount on earings, I also don't know how she came about those. They could have been a gift? She does have an extremely wealthy family. Though, it doesn't seem like they are afriad to spend their money. . especialy on things that are also good investments (jewelry or real estate).
But, this post was about their giving! I don't care how you slice it. . .the percentages are appalling. I'm not sure the McCain's are a whole lot better (we'll have to wait and see) but even the horrible estimates put them WAY above Biden!
Brandi
PS I do know that they fund their schools, but that is pretty common and I don't have a problem with it. The Bulk of Obama's donations were to the democratic party. . hmmm, getting himself elected doesn't seem all that charitable!
I was just going to post on this same topic. It is ridiculous! The sad thing is that most Americans won't find it terrible because they don't give much either... But like you said, it is hard to say you are looking out for the poor, disenfranchised, little guy when you don't give ANY money (Sen. Biden) to causes that support them. I would love to applaud McCain but I'd have to see how much of his wife's income is donated before I get too excited. It is easy to give 28% when your wife earns $6 million!
I'm not going to say people can't spend their money any way they want. I wouldn't care if they spent it all on themselves, just don't tell me you are looking out for the little guy when that isn't true, at least according to how you spend your money.
thank you for this post & your support of McCain & Palin ticket! I hope they WIN!
While I am disgusted, I must say I am not surprised. Apparently when the Obama camp speaks of giving to the poor, they don't mean any of their own money :(
Wow. VERY interesting. Thanks for posting this...
I just posted about how sad politics makes me :(. Thanks for posting some facts. I think you're right... no matter who you vote for, you really hope that they're being honest about who they say they are. Makes my heart sick! On another note, I just read a blog where the woman said that McCain's adoption of his daughter was all to look good for this campaign. Again, even if you don't support him politically, is that a fair thing to say? Who is to judge how/why they adopted their daughter? That is not up for debate or judgment. Sick, I tell you. All this stuff is yucky :(.
Have a great weekend, Brandi!
becca
Thanks for this, Brandi. Very interesting stuff. And SO true!
Tina
Hey, Brandi. I really enjoyed looking over your blog. I think we could have some great conversations! I recently posted about how much $$$ was spent on the conventions. That really bugged me. Anyway, we are adopting from Ethiopia and my husband's name is Davis! There aren't too many of them out there. It was fun to see your little guy with such a great smile and a great name. I've linked to you. Let's get connected and rant about politics! (:
Sarah
You go girl!!
"Eb", did you happen to see how much the rock star stage that Obama placed himself on cost?
I am SURE that the Obamas have given to their "elite" private schools as well. All parents who have their kids in private school are encouraged to give to the schools in fundraisers, etc...
Boo Joe Biden! Shameful!
Love ya girl!! Denise
Thanks for sharing this. It is eye opening.
When I think about how often I'm approached to give tax-deductible donations, I'm even more appalled at Biden's giving. Holy cow! Unless...he's giving secretly. You know, not letting his right hand know what his left hand is doing.
What are Senators' salaries? $398K? Wowee!
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