Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumBernie Sanders, at Town Hall, Says His Wealth Isn't Proof of the 'American Dream'
Shortly after he disclosed his tax returns for the last 10 years, Senator Bernie Sanders on Monday rejected the idea that his newfound millionaire status was a testament to capitalism and the American dream.
Appearing on Fox News in a town-hall style event, Mr. Sanders defended his wealth as the honestly earned result of a popular book that he wrote.
If anybody thinks I should apologize for writing a best-selling book, he said, Im not going to do it.
But he did not directly answer the question, asked by an audience member, about whether he himself should pay more in taxes now that he is a member of the 1 percent, from whom he has spent years calling for greater contributions.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/us/politics/bernie-sanders-town-hall.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sheshe2
(83,927 posts)interesting.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)How did you miss that?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pangaia
(24,324 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
would it be redundant to say that's not socialism
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(108,995 posts)succeeded in improving their fortunes through hard work and talent and luck.
For example, Bill and Hillary Clinton. Like Bernie before entering the Senate, they didn't have much before Bill became President, with his job as Governor paying only $32K a year and Hillary making the salary of a prosecutor and then as a partner at a Little Rock law firm.
Afterwards, like Bernie, they were able to make significant money for themselves with books and speeches. And they were ALSO able to pour millions into a charitable foundation that is doing great work around the world.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)I don't care if Bernie or anybody else is a millionaire. I definitely don't care about his stupid book. But he's spent decades criticizing OTHER millionaires as wall street shills immersed in corruption. Suddenly only billionaires are corrupt.
Apparently only Bernie can be a millionaire and remain "pure." Because he wrote a book?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,123 posts)understand where we go from here.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)and that book isn't on it. It won't be on it. No interest. I barely have time to read the books I am interested in.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,123 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)You really are obsessed. Your candidate is only a man. A flawed man. Not a savior, or a god.
Yes, I know, You 'never said' that he was a savior or a god! (You only imply it, constantly)
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,123 posts)means I think Bernie is a "savior"... that's some logic!! You're obviously obsessed with Bernie... and not in a good way. Maybe if you actually DID read his book, you'd begin to see things differently!!
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)But you have the last word. I'm done, because I'm bored.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bigbrother05
(5,995 posts)Someone sitting around collecting fees for investing other people's money should be taxed like it's a salary, not like investments in actual businesses.
He's criticized the way great wealth has been allowed to write their own rules to keep more and more. Instead of closing loopholes or simplifying the tax code, the rich encourage arcane tweaks that often benefit only a few and starve the many.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
namahage
(1,157 posts)One that...uhhh...makes a lot of videos, I guess?
Oh wait. Did I say has? Oops.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
betsuni
(25,645 posts)And their charitable giving ignored. They are never to be trusted, a sinister motivation assumed.
Other people can hire relatives, explain that they didn't release their taxes because they're boring, claim to not know about sexual harassment in their campaign because they were a little bit busy, accuse others and their foundations of corruption without any proof, claim that they can break up the big banks and give everyone insurance without knowing how exactly, on and on, and THAT'S the person we're supposed to trust.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
yardwork
(61,712 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Terry MacAuliff loaned them the money to buy their home in New York. But they wrote popular books and used their experience and insight to give speeches through a speakers bureau. They got hit for paid speeches, but BOTH were out of government and were in-demand speakers. They paid off their debt and became rich enough to launch an influential charity that has always been highly rated for use of donated money and transparency. Yet aspersions were cast on them in 2016.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
spooky3
(34,483 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)through hard work and talent and luck."
That is complete fantasy and non-factual.
Bernie's criticism in the campaign was that his opponent gave $300,000 speeches to Goldman Sachs and refused to release the transcripts of the speeches. As one of the main cheerleaders pounding the drum on DU for transparency when it comes to Bernie releasing his tax returns, I'm sure you agreed with Bernie's assessment that the American people deserved to know what was being said in those hidden speeches.
That is totally different from what you are accusing Sanders of.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)Last edited Tue Apr 16, 2019, 12:14 AM - Edit history (1)
There is no "proof" or else you would have posted some random article from an anti-Bernie rag.
We are Democrats and must support Democrats. You are not helping the cause by trying to undermine Senator Sanders constantly. I know you used to support Beto O'Rourke but have moved on. That tells me that you are open to new ideas and not stuck in a rigid ideology. All I'm asking is that you stop condemning the man and just focus on policy.
Unity George.Unity.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pnwmom
(108,995 posts)as he had promised, and his 2016 FEC reports. I think the American people also deserved to know more about that.
But if he had, people might have put two and two together and realized even by 2016 he had substantial assets in personal real estate that don't get counted up when they make the lists of "poorest" Senators.
Of course, as he now says, anyone can be a millionaire if they just write a best-selling book!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pnwmom
(108,995 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to pnwmom (Reply #51)
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Response to Power 2 the People (Reply #32)
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Cha
(297,722 posts)apologize for writing a best selling book.. I'm not going to do it.."
Hyperbole much?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)He hates being challenged, or questioned about anything. Nobody cares about his stupid book. Actually, I don't care if he's a millionaire, only that he constantly attacked OTHER millionaires before he became one. (Or maybe while he was one? We haven't seen his taxes so we don't know.) Now only billionaires are corrupt.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,722 posts)presidential material.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,722 posts)here.. reporting for duty!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Cha (Reply #4)
BannonsLiver This message was self-deleted by its author.
Cha
(297,722 posts)posted..
"Nobody is asking him to apologize for writing a best selling book - that is an offense to our intelligence."
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=70234
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)he paid. So that wasn't a good answer.
Nobody is asking him to apologize for writing a best selling book - that is an offense to our intelligence.
Just don't go around saying you are a socialist when YOU'RE NOT. NONE OF US ARE...and none of us want to be.
So just STOP IT BERNIE!
Bernie is not keeping it real here...PERIOD.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,722 posts)Exactly, UnitedWeBack.. what political point did he think he was scoring with that statement?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sheshe2
(83,927 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sheshe2
(83,927 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)Just like Bernie Sanders,if you live in the United States you are participating in socialism and capitalism simultaneously.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BannonsLiver
(16,470 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Nanjeanne
(4,981 posts)include himself of course.
Bret asked him why he doesnt pay extra if he wants to. Bernie said he paid what was owed. Of course he did and asking him to pay over for the hell of it is stupid. We need a tax policy that makes sense. Not arbitrary people paying more than they owe.
Bernie said he didnt think his wealth was proof of the American dream because he recognizes that he is a college graduate who has been a member of Congress for a number of years and wrote a best selling book. He said he wants the same opportunity for all. That is the American Dream.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)rump up here and ask him how much taxes he paid. End of clip.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,722 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,981 posts)I dont remember exactly. There was a whole segment on his tax returns and his tax policy - even where the blonde bimbo (cant remember her name) asked him about his tax policy about wealthy paying 70% and insisting it was his policy, not AOC. You might want to watch the whole thing to form an opinion rather than an edited clip.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)that. I was really surprised that after all this time he does not have better answers crafted..I MEAN COME ON.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,981 posts)really silly to discuss.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,123 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Him and his wife had over $500k in income and gave $18,000 to charity, that is like 3%. I know people making $100,000 that give $6,000-$7,000 annually.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,981 posts)the helluvit? He said he wants to change tax policy so wealthy pay more taxes.
One would think that makes sense. How much extra should he pay? Can he say heres another $10,000. Can you please fix some bridges?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TwilightZone
(25,485 posts)You just can't earmark your funds.
https://fiscal.treasury.gov/public/gifts-to-government.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Some people pay more by giving to charities, then they can earmark the funds (i.e., feeding hungry babies instead of putting hungry babies in cages, paying for education for poor children instead of war). Bernie sets himself off as some great oracle for the downtrodden, yet his own personal charitable giving in miserly.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Bernie and his wife gave around 3%, I know people that give 6-10%.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,981 posts)is important but even more is government policy that provides safety nets for citizens. People do what they feel they can do. I cant judge what peoples expenses are or how they choose to donate. I can choose public policy for what my vision of the country should be.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Has Bezos posted his tax returns? Can you provide the source of your claim about Bezos? You don't need a link, I am ok with a valid recollection of what you may have come across about how much Bezos gives to charity.
Lastly, Bezos does not go around lecturing rich people on their societal obligations vis a vis money, Bernie does seem to.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,722 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sheshe2
(83,927 posts)I thought they had to be. Am I wrong here?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)last year and gave $18,600 to charity, that is like 3-4%, a pretty low amount.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
That is very low.
Thanks Blue_true.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,123 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Trenzalore
(2,331 posts)At least he gave us delicious chicken.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
vsrazdem
(2,177 posts)and a senator, which most American people do not have the advantage of being. They do not have the advantage of capitalizing on their fame to achieve that fortune.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,123 posts)VERY proud of Bernie... especially the way he walked into the Faux News "lions den" and slayed the savage beasts!! Bernie showing, once again, unlike some candidates, he has no fear of answering anyone's questions.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Baclava
(12,047 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Not exactly a Bushie cigar boat though, at least not from high up.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ecstatic
(32,733 posts)He literally had nothing and no real options before running for congress. It's silly for him not to acknowledge that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)But before becoming mayor he was pretty destitute.
He seems to fail to acknowledge that he has lived a charmed life that 75% of Americans don't come close to living.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BlueFlorida
(1,532 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden