Stingy Democrat!

1. 91

   habeeposted 12 years ago

   Biden averaged giving $369 per year to charity over the last decade. $369 on an income of $320,000?? That's sad. We make way less but donate more than that.
   
   http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/e … cial_N.htm

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   1. 0

      PrettyPantherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I donate about 20 hours a month of my time to a nonprofit, time that I would normally bill out at $40 per hour, but I didn't claim any donations to charity on my tax return last year.
      
      I guess I'm a stingy Democrat, too!

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   2. 89

      Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I just want to follow this forum but that's really cheap

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   3. 81

      awordloverposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It makes me mad that a lot of these rich politicians don't take an example from Warren Buffett and others in that tax bracket.  He and his sisters give away 85% of their wealth every year, paying it forward, he says, and only takes less than half as charitable deductions.
      
      Biden and others like him - esp the ones running for president now - all gave less to charity in the last few years than the average American gives based on their net worth (according to published reports).  Of course, Biden can take deductions for travel and gratis speaking engagements (ones he doesn't charge for, he can take as a deduction for what he would have earned from each, as well as all expenses connected to it -staff salaries, and travel fees) and not once do these guys get called on it.
      
      I put down mileage to travel to and from medical specialists and I get audited.  I contribute to a particular charity every year since 1977, and in 2009 we decided to triple our contribution and noted it on on taxes.  Didn't we get audited in 2011 for that tax return questioning that particular deduction? Then they went after my medical deductions.  We were able to prove it all, but it still galls me that they go after people like us in our little tiny tax bracket and the prominent "Americans" get a pass.
      
      Not fair.  Not fair too is that Biden earns so much $$ per year for a being second fiddle in office and we earn not even 1/5 of that (as retired Americans) and we donate as much per month to various charities as he does. 
      
      I guess we are just too darn nice. 
      
      And he's not.

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      1. 0

         PrettyPantherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Maybe he donates time; maybe he donates money but doesn't claim it on his tax returns. 
         
         You don't actually know, do you?

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   4. 74

      Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This article is from 2008 (?)

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         PrettyPantherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It is probably being re-circulated as a counter to Mitt's 13.9% tax rate.

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      2. 91

         habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I found a more recent article. He did better for 2011, giving over $5,ooo of his $379,178 income. I'm not a math whiz, but isn't that still less than 2%?
         
         http://www.forbes.com/sites/baldwin/201 … -low-side/

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         1. 61

            Josakposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Is this declared charity? because I never claim the tax return, (I feel that tax is a form of charity as well to help the whole country so to use one to reduce the other is stupid) so he perhaps also does not declare his tax. If however he does only donate that much he should be ashamed.

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   5. 75

      KeithTaxposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's not giving if you are forced or humiliated into giving. I consider a job in the public sector an act of service. I wouldn't do his job (with all the stress and people whining) for $320k a year.

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      1. 91

         habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I agree about the thankless job. I wouldn't want to be POTUS or VP. I was just sort of surprised at Biden. I've always thought he was a nice guy. I'm not saying he isn't - I just thought he would be more charitable.

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      2. 60

         Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         How can a public sector job (read: a government job) be public service?
         
         The money to pay for your salary has to be taken by force by the consumer.
         
         It's a tyrannical job.

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   6. 38

      MyFavoriteBeddingposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree habee!

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2. 74

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   Operative word being DECLARED.

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3. 80

   Ms Deeposted 12 years ago

   I bet in his speech tonight he won't be thinking he, himself, will be giving up enough of his $ to share with others who have less.

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4. 0

   PrettyPantherposted 12 years ago

   I was taught that charitable giving should not be broadcast, including on tax returns.  It was never an issue at all when I lived in a more progressive area.  Now that I live in a red state, I feel compelled to let people "see" what I do for charity, even though it bugs the hell out of me.  People make a big deal out of it here.  I find it abhorrent, but since I have to live and work here, I have to play the "I'm just as holy as you are" game or be viewed in a negative light, which would be bad for my business.

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   1. 74

      Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      PP I have no doubt you are holier than 99% of the people around you.
      And that statement is not intended as religion baiting on anyone!

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5. 84

   Pcunixposted 12 years ago

   I never claim any of it either.

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   1. 76

      Barbara Kayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Me either. My husband believes you don't give for a tax deduction.

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6. 0

   oldandwiseposted 12 years ago

   I agree, our businesses donate on a regular basis to a variety of charities and never take the tax deduction. Neither do we brag or bring attention to our businesses for a trip in the lime light. Just because a person lists xxxxx as his or her charitable donations, doesn't necessarily mean they don't do more under the qt.

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