Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumHere's how Bernie Sanders made his millions -- and why it matters in the 2020 election
Very good article in CNBC this morning:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/24/where-bernie-sanders-money-comes-from.html
The independent senator from Vermont has enjoyed a recent windfall driven by book deals. In both 2016 and 2017, Sanders and his wife, Jane, had adjusted gross income of about $1.1 million, according to tax returns his 2020 presidential campaign released last month. The couple followed it up with about $560,000 in income last year. The totals mark a stark increase from 2015, when they made roughly $240,000.
The tax returns raised questions about whether Sanders' newfound wealth conflicts with his message. The senator, who wants to hike taxes on the wealthy to build up social programs such as "Medicare for All" and tuition-free public college, says his fatter wallet will not affect his plans. During a CNN town hall last month, Sanders responded to questions about his wealth by saying, "I plead guilty to have written a book which was an international best-seller."
"But I think your question should ask, well, now that you wrote a book, you made money, is that going to mean that you change your policies?" Sanders continued during the event. "Well, you're looking at somebody who not only voted against Trump's disastrous tax plan 83 percent of the benefits going to the top 1% but I have and will continue in this campaign to fight for progressive taxation."
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to InAbLuEsTaTe (Reply #1)
MrsCoffee This message was self-deleted by its author.
RandiFan1290
(6,239 posts)for writing 'Dreams From My Father'
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)it just shows they're scared Bernie's winning... so long as they stop once Bernie gets the Democratic nomination.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Lefta Dissenter
(6,622 posts)more power to them for using their assets (eg, intellect, experience) to boost their income.
I wish anyone would buy a book that I would write!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)about his proposals. Some very wealthy people have made good presidents, congresspeople, etc.
Withholding his tax returns was not a smart move, but that has been rectified.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie did NOT withhold his tax returns.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)and waiting to do so until his 2018 return was ready to file.
Maybe, it would make more sense to take issue with all those who subscribed to the "what's he trying to hide?" crud, as you call it, who never came back to "eat crow" after having made that false accusation.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)opposition to trade agreements, criticism of Obama and Democrats in general, backing a much needed overhaul of our health system with slight-of-hand financial calculations, etc., aren't minor IMO. . . . . . and, of course, it's hard to forget a significant percentage of his supporters helping to give us trump in the general election.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....of his speaking tour a few months ago.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)exactly right, if that is what happened. Good point.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,377 posts)Unless you see merit in the stupid Republican frame on the supposed hypocrisy about good Democrats who make good money and advocate policies for bettering society that would cost them a few bucks.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
SouthernProgressive
(1,810 posts)It plays no role in Sanders race to the bottom. As a newfound member of the one percent it might slightly change his perspective on things but not by much. He will remain on the right side of the taxation argument.
As for the election and Sanders standing, it really doesnt matter. Most Democrats already recognized him as a career politician. Not a biggie.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(145,481 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
aidbo
(2,328 posts)maybe try posting that racist one from Politico?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Politicub
(12,165 posts)The writer says, "The tax returns raised questions about whether Sanders' newfound wealth conflicts with his message."
The only people where this raises a question are those who want to use Sanders' success to bash him. It's a weird attack, and I don't think it works as people are intending.
Sanders has never said everyone need take a vow of poverty. If anything, he speaks of making the middle class more prosperous. And, shocker, some of that prosperity could put more people on equal footing as affluent people; this could give more would-be authors time and space to write a book if they so choose because they're not worrying about working two minimum wage jobs to make ends meet.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden