Hillary's speeches to Wall St banks are OK w/ Hill fans. Bernie to speak on the Idolatry of Money

[think]

and now they're angry?

Hillary raked in MILLIONS in INCOME speaking to corrupt banks. Income is way more liquid than campaign contributions. That's jet fuel straight into the tank.

Hillary spoke to 7 banks out of 14 that are being sued for rigging interest rate markets.

That's just one of many scandals they have been involved with during the time Hillary was taking the money from them. It doesn't include the LIBOR scandal or The mortgage fraud during the 2008 meltdown that the big banks have paid over $150 billion in fines for.

And it doesn't include the banks Bill has spoken to like HSBC with it's drug cartel money laundering scandal and the UBS IRS scandal.

Why would anyone expect Hillary to help regulate and police these corrupt employers of Hillary's in a fair and equitable manor?


Now Bernie is invited to speak at the Vatican on the Idolatry of Money without getting paid. Hillary supporters are attempting to find any small detail they can scrounge up to discredit Sanders and his integrity for going to make the speech.

Rather than discuss wealth inequality, poverty, and getting corrupt money out of politics, we are reduced to parsing words over who invited him, is it good use of his time, will he get to see the pope, and anything else other than the main reasons the meeting at the Vatican is actually being held.

Is this really what's important?

[Lizzie Poppet]

1. They have no shame, no sense of duty to what's right.

And thus are perfect acolytes for their corrupt, honorless candidate...

[stone space]

2. Idolatry is a tough topic to discuss here on DU.

“It’s idolatry, putting trust in weapons. And weapons are made like gods. … Weapons are always false gods because they make money. It’s profiteering.”

---Sister Megan Rice---

The Prophets of Oakridge

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/wp-style/2013/09/13/the-prophets-of-oak-ridge/?tid=ptv_rellink

[WhiteTara]

3. I think it's great that he is going

to Vatican City to discuss inequality in the world. I hope he has a marvelous trip and gets to see a smidgen of Rome in the spring. I'm sure he won't have much time for sight seeing but maybe his car will go the scenic route.

[msongs]

4. going to the obscenely wealthy vatican to talk about poor people is nothing but hypocrisy nt

[think]

9. Pope Francis is making great efforts to confront global poverty and get the church to focus on

important issues of this nature.

He's been very courageous in being a true leader on this front. Bernie is supporting the Pope's efforts to get the church to focus on poverty. This is very important. So you can mock the efforts being made but at least Bernie and some members of the Catholic church are working very hard to end world poverty.

Pope Francis says church leaders can’t 'lead life of a pharaoh’

Pontiff makes apparent jibe at cardinals as he warns Catholic church against hypocrisy on poor and homeless

Pope Francis has warned the Roman Catholic church against hypocrisy on the issue of poverty, saying it was impossible to speak about the poor and the homeless and yet lead the “life of a pharaoh”.

The comments were made in an interview with Straatnieuws, a Dutch newspaper published by homeless people. The Vatican has been forced on the defensive after the publication of two books exposing greed and financial mismanagement at the heart of the church. The remarks appear to be a not-so-subtle jibe by Francis directed at his cardinals.

“The church must speak with the truth and also with testimony, the testimony of the poor. If a believer speaks about poverty or about the homeless, and leads the life of a pharaoh, this can’t be done,” he told the newspaper.

Read more:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/06/pope-francis-warns-poverty-hypocrisy-catholic-church

[Avalux]

17. Par for the course you'd say that, completely ignoring the overall message. n/t

[artislife]

44. Great way to lose the Latino vote. Keep it up!

[rhett o rick]

5. But honestly do you think it's fair that Sanders should speak about the negitive side of inequality

of wealth in the world without Clinton there to give the positive side?

[seabeyond]

6. I doubt he can speak to the issue in the conference with scholars, but who cares. Go for it. The lie

though that he is speaking to the Pope, or the Pope invited/summoned Sanders is what is being challenged.

[liberal from boston]

30. Pope Francis

Why so negative?? BTW, Senator Sanders is more than a guest he is a participant Here is the Vatican Press release. Also sad that the Papal Office had to release a statement debunking the lie that Bernie requested to attend. Why would this Vatican press statement be released? "We're delighted to host this conference to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Centesimus Annus, bringing together world leaders, including US Senator Sanders, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Academicians of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences such as its President Margaret Archer, and leading scholars such as Professor Daniel Finn, Professor Jeffrey Sachs etc., to examine and discuss changes in politics, economics, and culture in the world these last 25 years in the light of Pope Francis' new encyclical Laudato si'. Our intention is socio-political in the highest sense of the term, because according to art. 1 of our Statutes, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by the Holy Father John Paul II on 1 January 1994 with the aim of promoting the study and progress of the social sciences, primarily economics, sociology, law and political science. "

[seabeyond]

34. I do not think Sanders has anything to say to scholars. An opinion. Fat, the issue is the lie he

was called to a meeting with the Pope.

You challenge my post stating it negative. I can have an opinion that Sanders is not intellectually par with scholars. I can state fact. You need to address Sanders lie if you think it is being negative merely talking about it.

[MineralMan]

7. He was invited to ATTEND that conference.

I have not seen any mention of him speaking at it. Perhaps he will, but he's not on the agenda yet.

I don't think there are any stories that confirm him as a speaker. If there are, I'd like to see a link.

[timmymoff]

10. There are times for discussion

I'm sure the Senator will speak during those times.

[MineralMan]

13. Ah, I see. Breakout sessions or something.

There is a difference between conversing about it and speaking to the conference. I've been to many conferences, and have had many such conversations. I've also been a speaker at conferences. There is a distinct difference. Of course, the conferences I have attended or addressed were not on the level of this one.

[timmymoff]

18. This should be viewed as a positive to have a government official there

[MineralMan]

23. Should it? Why?

Bernie Sanders is a legislator from the United States. He doesn't create any policy. Now, if he were elected as President, that would be a different matter, of course. Some believe he might be elected this November. I'm not one of those.

The U.S. Government has no actual role at the Vatican, which has it's own status equivalent to other nations. We can suggest. We can offer opinions. The Vatican acts on its own, without consulting us, though.

He's just there attending a conference that has no authority over anything, really. It will issue proceedings as a publication, which will be read and considered by higher officials in the RCC. There's a conference going on there all the time, about one thing or another. This group is an academic body, not a decision-making body.

I'm not saying that he should go there, by any means. I'm sure it will be very interesting and he may have an opportunity to advocate for some positions and express his opinions. That's a good thing, but that's as far as it goes, really.

[timmymoff]

28. I consider dialogue and discussion

as a way to move forward. I do not know of many people who have been as consistent with this particular message. Especially of those in power and with the ability to reach people.

[Trenzalore]

12. Inflation of what he was actually invited for

If you call them out on it, you hate the Pope or something.

[MineralMan]

15. I don't hate the Pope. I have no love for him or the

body he heads, though. Too many negatives with that organization, altogether for me to support it in any way.

[think]

16. This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. He plans to speak at the conference. Will he be a speaker

making a major speech I don't know. But it has been stated he plans to speak at the conference about the idolatry of money.

Bernie Sanders to preach against 'the idolatry of money' during Vatican visit

Bernie Sanders plans to warn against “the idolatry of money” in a speech at the Vatican next week which the Democratic candidate hopes will align his insurgent presidential campaign with the moral preaching of Pope Francis.

“What the pope has been clear about is linking the issue of morality with the global economy and making the point that you can’t have a moral economy when so many people are living in poverty,” Sanders told the Guardian.

“He has raised the issue more than any other person on the planet and I am very proud to be with him in the Vatican,” he added in an interview shortly after the campaign announced his surprise attendance at the conference on 15 April.

Taking place just four days before a crucial showdown against Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the New York primary election, the trip is a gamble for Sanders, who speaks little about religion on the campaign trail and would be the first Jewish president if elected.

The Vermont senator conceded it had “not yet been determined” if he will have a private audience with the pope during attendance at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences on social, economic and environmental issues....

Read more:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/08/bernie-sanders-vatican-visit-pope-francis

Meanwhile Hillary supporters completely ignore the appearances of MAJOR conflicts of interest from all the money Hillary is taking from these corrupt too big to fail banks and act as if it's a non issue.

I remember when Democrats wanted to end corrupt corporate political collusion. Now since it's Hillary it's suppose to be completely ignored.

Why would I want to enthusiastically vote for someone who has corrupt banks openly buying their loyalty?

[MineralMan]

20. Well, perhaps we'll find out what actually transpires there.

It is a closed conference, so I don't know if there will be any transcripts, especially of casual conversation, rather than actual formal addresses. Typically, such conferences feature academics and others who have prepared papers for presentation. The papers become part of the record of the conference.

I really have no idea what Sanders' role will be there. Perhaps we will find that out later. Perhaps not.

[think]

38. He has a ten minute spot allotted to him to speak. Here's a thread discussing it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511705329

[MineralMan]

40. Thanks. I've been over to that thread, and have seen the

schedule. I appreciate the link.

[Avalux]

21. You must have missed this Guardian article. Is it a lie?

Bernie Sanders plans to warn against “the idolatry of money” in a speech at the Vatican next week which the Democratic candidate hopes will align his insurgent presidential campaign with the moral preaching of Pope Francis.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/08/bernie-sanders-vatican-visit-pope-francis

[MineralMan]

24. What Bernie Sanders "plans" and what this conference

does are two different things. Perhaps he will have a speech there. I do not know, but I did not see any indication of that in the letters sent to him, frankly. Perhaps Sanders is not clear in his expectations about this conference. I do not know. Perhaps we will find out following the conference.

[Avalux]

29. I see the game you're playing and it's a little sad to say the least.

But hey - keep at it. You're nothing if not consistent.

[MineralMan]

31. I try to be consistent.

I'm glad to hear that I'm succeeding.

[Arizona Roadrunner]

8. Can a taxpayer sue Clinton for release of those speeches.....

Can a tax payer sue Clinton for release of those speeches to Goldman-Sachs? If Goldman-Sachs tax deducted those speeches as an "expense", then it would be interesting to find out if a regular taxpayer has "standing" to sue. This would be based on the "regular" taxpayer paying more in taxes or getting less in services because of the lost revenue to the government due to the $675,000 tax deduction.

[MineralMan]

14. Uh, no. At the time Clinton was not

a government official, I believe, and the speeches were to non-governmental organizations. There are no grounds for any such lawsuit.

[Trenzalore]

11. Bernie isn't speaking, he's an attendee nt.

[think]

19. Bernie Sanders plans to warn against “the idolatry of money” in a speech at the Vatican next week

He is going to be there with other leaders from South America. He may not be noted as a key speaker but according tot his he plans to speak there:

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/08/bernie-sanders-vatican-visit-pope-francis

[Trenzalore]

22. Well technically I guess he will be speaking

In the audience to other attendees. I'll be speaking at work tomorrow as well.

[itsrobert]

25. Yup, they will place a metal chair in the back of the room for Bernie

While the others are up front in executive chairs sitting at the Adult table.

[frylock]

43. Let the hate flow through you.

[think]

26. You are completely making my point. Thank you. The article says he plans to make a speech there

There will be leaders from South American countries and other important leaders from around the globe attending this event.

The topic and event are of considerable importance in discussing global poverty and wealth inequality to many people but perhaps not you.

Yet you want to parse words and say that he's not a key speaker rather than discuss the issues.

While we're at it how do you feel about Hillary taking all that income from corrupt banks? Do you in any way see where people who aren't already Hillary supporters might see this as an appearance of a conflict of interest?

[Trenzalore]

27. He plans on making a speech there

Yet he isn't listed as a speaker...is he going to hijack the podium?

[think]

37. Again you are making the point. Thank you! Mincing words rather than discussing the substance

Many people will probably speak at this conference. They may not be keynote speakers but if Bernie says he plans to speak there I'm pretty sure he'd check first to make sure he was allowed.

Again the issues being discussed are global poverty and wealth inequality. But you have don nothing but go on about nothing in relation to issues.

You have twice now went on trying to make what capacity Bernie is going to speak in the issue rather than the issues of the events. Nor did you reply to the questions I posed in regards to Hillary's speeches.

We could discuss the content of those speeches Hillary made to Goldman Sachs. Do you have a copy one of those speeches so we can discuss it and the issues she brought up there?...

[uponit7771]

33. Lol

[imagine2015]

32. Right. He'll be in the audience with no other people and with his lips taped shut.

He'll be invited to speak!

Now get serious.

[riderinthestorm]

35. There's 30 people attending. You don't think Bernie will participate? nt

[Trenzalore]

36. Personally I think it is kind of cool he decided to do this

For himself personally talking to other politicians and scholars in the Vatican is going to be one of those big moments in his life. Good for him. He doesn't have much international exposure.

Bernie supporters are mad at us Hillary supporters for downplaying this while Hillary supporters are getting a chuckle about how this event has been inflated and the candidate himself misspoke about the event when it was first announced.

[Octafish]

39. Not just the speaking fees, it's the payback.

Hillary Helps a Bank—and Then It Funnels Millions to the Clintons

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/hillary-helps-a-bankand-then-it-pays-bill-15-million-in-speaking-fees/400067/

[think]

41. Bill got a very nice pay day. $1.5 million in speaking fees. But hey. It was a coincidence right?

It's probably the most egregious example of the Clintons cashing in on their public service.

But as long as it's done properly apparently corruption is perfectly legal in the US.

Way to go America. Way to go....

[Octafish]

42. UBS Wealth Management

After his exit from the US Senate, Phil Gramm found a job at Swiss bank UBS as vice chairman. He later brought in former President Bill Clinton to the Wealth Management team. What a coincidence, they are the two key figures in repealing Glass-Steagal. Since the New Deal it was the financial regulation that protected the US taxpayer from the Wall Street casino. Oh well, what are a few hundred million in speaking fees compared to a $16 trillion bailout among friends?



It's a Buy-Partisan Who's Who:

President William J. Clinton
President George W. Bush Heh heh heh.
Robert J. McCann
James Carville
John V. Miller
Paula D. Polito
Anthony Roth
Mike Ryan
John Savercool

SOURCE: http://financialservicesinc.ubs.com/revitalizingamerica/SenatorPhilGramm.html

One of my attorney chums doesn't like to see his name on any committees, event letterhead or political campaign literature. These folks, it seems to me, are past caring.

Some of why DUers and ALL voters should care about Phil Gramm.

The fact the nation's "news media" has missed this story is telling.

[Avalux]

45. I think that's what they're angry about. Their candidate embodies the idolatry of money.

To have Bernie making such a high profile speech about it at a time when her campaign and PACs are raking in obscene amounts of cash from her wealthy contributor friends, it puts a spotlight directly on the greed.

Not good for Hillary.