Democrat vice presidential nominee Joe Biden gives significantly less money to charity as a percentage of his household income than the average American.
In fact, in the last ten years, Biden and his wife have averaged 98 percent less in charitable donations than the typical household in their income bracket. Such was revealed Friday when Biden released his family's tax returns for the last ten years.
As the Obama/Biden ticket champions itself as the candidates for the little guy and the downtrodden, one has to wonder how much press coverage this story will get. As marvelously reported by the TaxProf Blog Friday (emphasis added, grateful h/t Jennifer Rubin):
Despite income ranging from $210,432 - $321,379 over the ten-year period, the Bidens have given only $120 - $995 per year to charity, which amounts to 0.06% - 0.31% of their income. [...]
It is jarring that a couple earning over $200,000 per year would give as little as $2 per week to charity. This giving compares very unfavorably to John McCain, whose tax returns show that he gave 27.3% - 28.6% of his income to charity in 2006-2007. During the same period, the Obamas' tax returns show that they gave 5.8% - 6.1% of their income to charity.
Perhaps the Obama-Biden campaign needs a new slogan: "Change You Can Believe In (As Long As Someone Else Pays For It)"
Update: Independent Sector reports that 89% of American households contribute to charity, with an average contribution of $1,620 -- 3.1% of income.
IRS statistics reveal that the average taxpayer with AGI over $200,000 makes over $20,000 of charitable contributions.
Wow. The average taxpayer with AGI over $200,000 gives $20,000 to charity? Yet, in the past ten years, the Bidens have averaged $369, or 98 percent less.
One has to think that if the same were true for McCain, this would be front-page, headline news.
Will media be all over this revelation?
Stay tuned.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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No to charity, new Biden slogan
September 12, 2008 - 14:58 ET by poxomaMay be old Joe spent all his money on those daily train rides to and from work.
Typical lefty penny
September 12, 2008 - 15:01 ET by bigtimerTypical lefty penny pinching miser...do as I say...not as I do.
Doncha' just love them...
... of course it's not going to be mentioned in the msm..in fact I have heard the talking-head voices now calling for Sarah's tax records for the same period...blah blah blah...
It's all Sarah all the time with them, jeez don't they have a clue to help much they are helping us...
I love it!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Dont' you guys know, Joe
September 12, 2008 - 15:04 ET by BlazerDont' you guys know, Joe covers up with newspaper in his four-poster everynight?
Joe is the least wealthiest member of The Senate and he's been there 35+ yrs. Which means he's either the most honest Democrat ever or the most incredibly stupid Democrat ever, take your pick.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Talk
September 12, 2008 - 15:05 ET by iveseenitallHave you noticed that "liberals" TALK plenty about others in need (often using other people's words). But they rarely ACT for others in need. Hypocrites.
NEVER,NEVER trust a"liberal"
Oh, they "act" for others,
September 12, 2008 - 15:18 ET by motherbeltOh, they "act" for others, isia, by taxing everyone.
They are usually the ones who talk about the Biblical command to take care of each other. But they don't think we need charitable organizations to do that. After all, isn't that what government is for?
I know this is a little off
September 13, 2008 - 00:41 ET by Prez RudyI know this is a little off topic but since alot of libs are comparing BHO to Jesus, then would'nt that make Biden his Judas?? Or maybe the MSM? Just a thought...
"...white folk's greed runs a world in need." Barack Obama
C'mon were talkin' Joke
September 13, 2008 - 00:57 ET by BlazerC'mon were talkin' Joke Biden here. It's an uphill struggle for him to be somebodies Curly, let alone Judas.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Sure they will....
September 12, 2008 - 15:09 ET by richflanjWith the same amount of fervor that they covered Bill Clinton claiming the donation of used underwear as a tax deduction.
Not to defend Joe Biden
September 12, 2008 - 15:09 ET by BlondeBut there have been years when I've forgotten to include certain charitable contributions on my 1040.
BTW, I don't really contribute for the deduction(s), anyway. That's a secondary benefit (as I said, if I remember).
It's no surprise, though, really....we know how charitable dems are not (with their own money) while wildly tossing around others' cash (ours).
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
No doubt Biden will come
September 12, 2008 - 15:10 ET by TD in FLNo doubt Biden will come out shortly and proclaim: "My tax returns do not reflect my gratiutous nature while taking the subway to work everyday. I am constantly giving change to the homeless and straight talk, which can't be measured in dollars, to the ordinary Joe's. John McCain did the easy thing - by just signing checks. I get my hands dirty."
MSM responses:
NBC: "Biden's Tax Returns Illustrate Fiscal Discipline, McCain Lacks Investment Skills."
ABC: "McCain Leaches Off Wife for Charity Gifts, Biden Sacrifices Precious Time."
CNN: "Biden Espouses Plight of Lower-Middle Class, Can't Afford to Give; Shows Government Handouts More Necessary than Originally Thought."
feeling your pain
September 12, 2008 - 15:29 ET by mom_roxTD, nice responses.
You know the economy is in trouble when a "two white-collar income family" (one being a US Senator) is pinching pennies. I'm sure Bush's tax policy will be blamed.
What's the difference between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin?
One is eye candy while the other kills her own food.
That's OK . . .
September 12, 2008 - 15:13 ET by Caringwhiteguy. . . . it's the Government's responsibility to care for the less fortunate. The hell with charitable contributions. It's damn costly to ride the train back and forth to Wilmington every day.
"Stand up Chuck!"
I want to know when Hussein
September 12, 2008 - 15:15 ET by cocodrieI want to know when Hussein will be able to spare his brother a dime.
March of Domes
September 12, 2008 - 15:19 ET by BarkerI think all of Joe's charity has gone to his head, literally.
Obama's record on Charity is similar
September 12, 2008 - 15:23 ET by Dee Bunkand they both meet their definition of "super rich". We would be in trouble if all the super rich were as greedy as they are- fortunately even working poor people are more generous than they are.
Shoot, that $2 a week is
September 12, 2008 - 15:24 ET by motherbeltShoot, that $2 a week is probably his United Way contribution ( I believe that's the minimum) taken out of his salary automatically. LOL.
I believe they did actually report the Gores' paltry contributions (I think it was theirs) one year, in the context of reporting on all the candidates. I wonder if they will do the same this year.
Probably not, since McCain far outstripped them all, (I guess TUCC wasn't into "tithing" either) both in straight dollars and percentage of income.
.06%? The biggest piker I ever heard of!
September 12, 2008 - 15:30 ET by SickofLibsHe's a real devoted Catholic, alright.
He's the jerk that sits in the pew in front of you and tosses in a single or some pocket change. But only once in a while; all the other times he shakes his head and smiles - "Oh, darn, I forgot my wallet! Catch up to you next time, friend!"
Maybe the Archbishop should ask him about this, too... what a hypocritical loser.
Hey, Average Joe:
September 12, 2008 - 15:49 ET by SickofLibsStandard tithing for the Catholic Church is 5% of AGI. So for 2007, 5% of your $319,853 AGI = $14,997.
In 2007, you gave $995 to charity. Let's give you the benefit of the doubt and assume all of that $995 went to the church.
Please write a check to your church for your shortfall of $14,997, or failing that, quit saying what a devoted Catholic you are.
Pelsoi: you're up next!
It really wouldn't be an issue. . .
September 12, 2008 - 15:50 ET by WingletDriverexcept ole Joe is fond of telling us how he lives his life by Catholic doctrine.
Except the notions of life, just war, responsibility and charity.
This will get no press.
September 12, 2008 - 15:32 ET by smartestmaninamericaThe MSM is 100% completely and unabashedly in the tank for Obama. they don;t even pretend to be unbiased anymore, even as they go broke (NYT) doing it.
I have to believe they are holding out just long enough for the far left to gain absolute power in America and wipe out their competition on the right with the Fairness Doctrine.
Instead of more "victimhood" for Palin...
September 12, 2008 - 15:33 ET by smartestmaninamericaWhy don't we run an ad about this? Obama also gives almost nothing to charity.
BHO hasn't even helped out
September 13, 2008 - 00:49 ET by Prez RudyBHO hasn't even helped out his half-bro who's living on a dollar a month in a hut. My guess is that BHO thinks that his half-bro makes TOO MUCH money and isn't paying enough in taxes.
"...white folk's greed runs a world in need." Barack Obama
Obama only started donating
September 12, 2008 - 15:45 ET by kgObama only started donating after he thought about running for President. John Kerry never has donated anything.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
paging Drudge
September 12, 2008 - 16:06 ET by mom_roxOnly if a Drudge mention prods them.
What's the difference between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin?
One is eye candy while the other kills her own food.
Typical Liberal
September 12, 2008 - 16:32 ET by kch50428Generous with other peoples' money, not his own.
CINO
September 12, 2008 - 18:21 ET by jondelwicheAs I have said before,
this hypocrite is a Catholic In Name Only
He should just resign from the ticket.
In fairness, I hope all 4 get this compared and reviewed.
How is this not headline news?
Thnak goodness for newsbusters!
Contributions
September 12, 2008 - 18:27 ET by ScrapironCompare the total given by Hussein O and Biden to Dick and Lynn Chaney if you want to see a monster difference. They Hand out more on street corners than BHO and Slow Joe gave in ten years, combined.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Deferments
September 12, 2008 - 18:29 ET by totalkaosdaveTotalKaosDave
Forget the contributions, how about his 5 deferments from military service. How many times did we (and still do) hear about Cheney's deferments?
Biden is just following the
September 13, 2008 - 06:29 ET by nythatesusaBiden is just following the example of Al Gore, who according to his 1997 tax return, donated $353 on $197,729 in income.
Look at how Obama ignores is own brother
September 13, 2008 - 11:24 ET by GrannyGrump42Considering that Obama evidently can't cough up a buck a month to double his own brother's paltry income, is it surprising that he can't cough up more to help strangers?
They consider it far more virtuous to take money from you and me and give it to other people than to loosen their grip on their own wallets.