Clinton Charitable Contributions Went To Clinton Foundation

The New York Times notes that most of the Clinton's charitable contributions went to their own foundation, which has yet to give away much of the money:

During that time, the Clintons paid $33.8 million in federal taxes and claimed deductions for $10.2 million in charitable contributions. The contributions went to a family foundation run by the Clintons that has given away only about half of the money they put into it, and most of that was last year, after Mrs. Clinton declared her candidacy.

Comments

[wm1066]

This is just sickening....

[rojo7449]

What? All the critical responses that don't have any idea what they are talking about? I agree.

[Ping]

I get it. They donated the money to themselves and took a tax deduction.

[Montanamotor]

I give you one "Ping" for that... :)

Sorry, I just couldn't resist...

[Vige]

LOL, and the rich get richer. Just remember Billy Boy said it depends on what the definition of "is" is.

Everything the Clinton's do goes in a circle.

[solarenergy]

This is a good example of what Randi Rhodes got in trouble for pointing out:

"...Because her deal is always, 'Read the fine print, asshole!'

[rojo7449]

No, you don't get it. Go talk to your nearest non-profit foundation and ask some intelligent questions about how they work.

[lisakaz]

The point is they didn't spend much of their donations until she started running for president. Makes the deal sound like less of a charity and more like a tax dodge turned into a PR "fix."

A charitable donation is fine if it actually is directed toward charity. The lines about Gates don't necessarily fit because it is well known that the Gates Foundation actually spends money. Bill Gates just didn't give the money to his wife to buy shoes.

The questions about the expenditures of this foundation deserve scrutiny not just pat poo-pooing.

[Pjsandiego]

Actually whether the money went to their foundation or not, it does indicate a good thing- although I suspect that to get money out of that foundation you might have to agree to support Hillary's campaign.
What we need to see is where that "charity" money went. Or heaven forbid, it better not have been used to fund a Presidential Election!

What we need to see are the tax returns for the Charity! The more I think about it, it's sorta obvious that
the Clintons' really haven't been vetted have they. Hey Rendell, would you say perhaps Hillary has not been vetted to the tune of say $107,000,000 Percent!

[Binea]

It went to the "It's all about me..not really about YOU" charity,I'm sure.

[rojo7449]

Learn something about charities before you speak to this subject.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

go look them up. they are public record.

[billrott]

Please provide a url link. Thank you.

[dsmyre]

"Give" the cash to yourself, take a tax deduction for donating to charity.
Never distribute the cash to any worthy cause, so it's just a tax-sheltered savings account.
Brag on yourself that you "gave" to charity, when you're only piling money up in a different place.
Voters think you're oh so generous when in fact you haven't let go of a dime. Sweet trick.

[Megaflow]

What part of "given away about half the money" is the same as "haven't let go of a dime"?? Some new Troll math I wasn't aware of?

[rojo7449]

It's so obvious that you don't have a morsel of knowledge about the subject you are attempting to talk about. Never given a dime, or a moment of your time to a charitable organization, have you?

[iPolitics]

Blessed are the merciful not only for giving alms [TO THEMSELVES], but especially for giving of themselves in helping others (BUT MOSTLY THEIR OWN EGOS], who in turn obtain mercy

[Montanamotor]

This is EXACTLY what I suspected. YOu should expect to find the other half of their contributions to have found their way to Bill's "Legacy Library".

This is so sick.

[IslandGyal]

Crooked to the bone... and we want Hillary and Bill clinton back in office; I think not!!

[rojo7449]

You don't know what you are talking about. This is exactly the way Bill & Melinda Gates do their charitable giving, it's exactly the way Oprah does her charitable giving, and you never hear these kinds of accusations against them!! You obviously don't know anything about the non-profit, charitable world.

[IslandGyal]

Gotcha!

[rojo7449]

Fortunately, the media knows much more than you do. There's no "gotcha" in it, and they know that.

[ohioangel]

God helps those who help themselves. (hehe)

[rojo7449]

This might be an interesting article if it weren't intended to stoke a fire where there isn't one.

It seems extremely reasonable that the bulk of their contributions would go to the foundation where they are certain to see how the money is used and where. I would be surprised if he were to simply throw wads of cash at charities and not know how it was spent.

This is the same method of giving Oprah uses, but she contributes a much, much smaller % of her earnings.

[Charmed]

What does Oprah have to do with this?

[xerxestrust]

I agree, as a Obama supporter, I encourage others who support him to not use this information falsely as some sort of attack on the Clintons. It only serves to bring the dialogue down to a level where everyone loses.

The only reason this information about the money going to their family foundation is useful to rebut Clinton supporters equally silly claims that the Clintons are somehow morally superior to Obama because they have given away more money.

The reality is that most of the money they given has gone to seed their family foundation which they completely control (but cannot take back for personal purposes) so most of the money has not yet been distributed directly to charitable causes. Therefore if you look at the totals actually benefiting real charitable causes, it is likely that their current "giving" is in line with Obamas' in proportion to the incomes they have.

FYI- by law, the minimum distribution must be 5% of the total assets of the foundation per year - but it can be more. Very practical way of charitable giving when you have that kind of money.

All this to stress that there are plenty of other factual, valid critiques of the Clintons as it relates to policies, integrity and potential for presidential leadership. Lets not get into the gutter. Lets BE the CHANGE we want to see by following Obama's example and engage in sober, fact-driven dialogue of the issues, credibility, governing styles, etc.

[SaddieMcCall]

I guess he believes that Charity begins at home.

[rojo7449]

Do you know someone who doesn't?