Don’t hate rich guys

The Star reports that Mitt Romney is richer than President Barack Obama. However, both are multimillionaires — therefore why should anyone care who has more?

Besides, those who criticize candidates for their wealth are merely hypocrites. After all, who amongst the critics would turn down a multimillion-dollar raise?

Steven Go

Overland Park

 

Comments

[Uncommon sense]

I guess BV didn't see in the news whet Buffet did pay more and write a big check to the US Treasury and challenged all conservative Congress people to do the same?

[Uncommon sense]

BV, Buffet is suing the IRS? Where did you get that info?

[LL]

Of course...Whispering is mortified that Romney would tithe with his church....no worries with the Obama's....and since Whispering wanted to go into details.............

While Barack Obama's web site says that he "is a committed Christian." ...As far as I can determine, the Trinity United Church of Christ is the only church Mr. Obama has ever attended on a regular basis....and at least since he was never much of a "giver" Reverend Wright didn't make out too well with the Obama's...

From 2000 through 2004, the senator and his wife never gave more than $3,500 a year in charitable donations -- about 1 percent of their annual earnings.

In 2005, however, that total jumped to $77,315 (4.7 percent of annual earnings), and to $60,307 in 2006 (6.1 percent).

The money went to several organizations. More than $27,000 total was given to Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ, whose former pastor Jeremiah Wright has dominated recent news coverage.

Other charity gifts included: Muntu Dance Theater, a Chicago-based company that performs contemporary and classic African dance, which received a $5,000 donation; The Rochelle Lee Fund, a literacy organization, which received a $20,000 donation; the Illinois Reading Council, which received a $25,000 donation, and CARE, the poverty fighting organization, which received a total of $31,000 in donations.

Obama also classified a $13,107 contribution to the Congressional Black Caucus as a charity gift.

Taken as a whole, these disbursements made up a small portion of Obama's annual income.
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Just saying....for someone who wants to redistribute the wealth....he certainly doesn't redistribute much himself....

[whispering_to_kc]

Here's the home of the US Equestrian team ...

***

http://www.uset.org/about.php

http://www.uset.org/specialevents.php

Hamilton Farm -- this beloved equestrian landmark is a secluded and hidden gem located in bucolic Gladstone in the heart of the fox-hunting country of New Jersey.

***

Fox hunting!!! The sport of kings!!! Do you have any Gray Poupon?

[Bigvarmit]

It seems strange that Obama keeps using Buffet as a shining light. Buffet is suing the IRS and withholding payment for a tax bill. He can write a check anytime and pay more. Rich people rule the world. They always have and always will. Who on this blog ever worked for a poor person, or a poor company? I would imagine none.

[whispering_to_kc]

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2012/0124/Mitt-Romney-taxes-show-very-high-charitable-giving-tied-to-Mormon-church

While Romney is not thought of as a great philanthropist, his rate of giving is considered high. For example, in 2010 he gave $2.9 million or 14 percent of his income to charity. A typical person gives 2 to 3 percent of their income. And people who made $10 million or more typically gave 6.5 percent to charity, according to Roberton Williams of the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center in Washington.

“Romney’s rate is very high,” says Mr. Williams.

Part of the reason for the high rate of giving is Romney’s contributions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church. According to the church, members are expected to tithe 10 percent of their income. In Romney’s case, in 2010 he gave $1.5 million, closer to 7 percent of his adjusted gross income. In 2011, he gave $2.6 million, or 12.4 percent of his income.

But Romney and his wife also gave a considerable amount of money – some $1.5 million in 2010 and $500,000 in 2011 – to other charities, mainly through the Tyler Charitable Foundation, apparently named for a street Romney and his wife lived on in Belmont, Mass. In 2010, the foundation had more than $10 million in assets.

In 2010, the largest beneficiaries of the Tyler Charitable Foundation included the Mormon Church ($145,000), the Friends of George W. Bush Library ($100,000), and the Center for Treatment of Pediatric MS ($75,000). However, the foundation also made contributions to organizations including the US Equestrian Team Foundation ($10,000), Harvard Business School ($10,000), and Homes for Our Troops ($20,000).

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So, basically, 2/3 of the Romney philanthropy is paid directly to the Mormon church and some large portion of the remainder finds its way to Salt Lake City through the backdoor at his non-Mormon charities.

[Groenhagen]

whispering:

"I believe (I'm not looking it up again) Romney's charity went to ... the Mormon church, which is more of a business than a church."

Maybe you should have looked it up before commenting. But then religious bigots can't be expected to be all that bright. According to tax records, Romney gave a total of $2 million to charities other than the Mormon Church in 2010 and 2011.

[whispering_to_kc]

I believe (I'm not looking it up again) Romney's charity went to ... the Mormon church, which is more of a business than a church.

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http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/18/news/la-pn-obama-income-taxes-20110418

The Obama family earned $1.73 million last year, largely from sales of the president's books, "Dreams from My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope." Obama also derived income from his new children's book, "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters," but he donated all proceeds to a charity benefiting children of slain and disabled soldiers, the White House said

The Obamas paid a total of $454,00 in federal taxes and $52,000 in Illinois state taxes, according to the returns, released Monday by the White House.

President and Michelle Obama donated a total of $245,000 to 36 assorted charities last year. Their largest donation ($131,000) went to the Fisher House Foundation, which supports military families. That amount came primarily from sales of the children's book, according to the White House. Obama wrote "Of Thee I Sing" before he took office in 2009; it hit bookshelves last fall.

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$245,000 into income of $1.73 million is about 14%, not "1%".

$453k in federal taxes is 26%, and higher by quite a ways from Romney's 14%.

[Groenhagen]

uncommon:

"My criticism lies in his constant flippant remarks he makes that shows just how out of touch he is with us common folk."

Yes, out of touch. Next thing you know Romney will be taking his family on a $4 million Hawaiian vacation and golfing with a guy arrested in a prostitution sting while there.

[LL]

We talked about this when Romney was taunted to show his income tax records...at this time disclosures came out showing his charitable giving along with his income....looking up Obama's were pretty simple...about 1% total giving (very generous huh?) Check it out yourself...

[LL]

...I guess my problem is that I DON'T feel Obama is more genuine than any other candidate.....

[Uncommon sense]

BTW, LL, how do you know that the Obamas don't donate to charity?

[Uncommon sense]

I don't see it that way, LL. To me, President Obama doesn't have to go out of his way to seem more genuine than Romney. I don't look down my nose at Romney at all. I don't see this as a, my-rich-guy-is-better-than-your-rich-guy, type of thing. To me, Romney appears plastic, like Kerry did in 2004. That's all! I don't really see anything there to psychoanalyze.

[LL]

Uncommon...funny that you find Romney out of touch but not Obama....How about Nancy Pelsi?...or John Kerry? Obama sings a great Al Green ( of course you'd have to be a campaign donor at a $35,000 a plate dinner to have been there...)

Does Obama like NASCAR? Bowling? What kind of a car did Michelle drive before he became president? (she worked for a nice law firm...so I'm sure she had a nice car)....

Romney tithes as the Bible tells us to...he also gives plenty of money to other charities...not so much with the Obama's...Maybe Jesus would frown upon this?...

Seems like your basically looking down your nose strictly at conservatives...just because you don't hold the same views...

....just saying rich is rich.....

[Uncommon sense]

:)

No really though. Are you? My family is in the 78th percentile. Unfortunately, we work VERY hard for that. We are very blessed. Now, we pay nearly 800 bucks a month to student loans. I have nothing against the wealthy, just I would abhor the idea that the wealthy would have anything against me. If I had a pair like Kim K, I would have my own show too. :)

[Uncommon sense]

No JD, that would put you in the top 98%. Geesh...

[Uncommon sense]

For me, my criticism of Romney is not that he is successful in business or that he's wealthy. My criticism lies in his constant flippant remarks he makes that shows just how out of touch he is with us common folk. He doesn't watch NASCAR (which I can't fault him for) but he has friends who are team owners. His wife drives "a couple of Caddies". Those are just the ones from the last week.

Like I have said, he is the GOP Kerry. Santorum is the GOP Jackson. Newt is the GOP Edwards. In all seriousness, it doesn't look good for the GOP.

[JDog]

I have no problem with Larry Flint. As a matter of fact, he was quite entertaining in his time.

So, if I'm in the top 2% of income earners, does that make me part of the 99%???

[Uncommon sense]

All rich are not created equally. I think we could agree that an important aspect, for me, is how someone earns their money. I would also think we could agree that another important factor is what the individual does with the money. I am reminded here of the parable Jesus told of the king's three sons.

Speaking of Jesus, I would also venture to say many conservatives have a problem with Larry Flint's millions or a porn star who is a millionaire.

Like I say...

[zeno]

PH that is funny and i may resemble that remark.

But what about the really really really wildly ignorant such as the lying one?? (:>)