General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat is your opinion of the Clinton Global Initiative?
From what I have heard, they have done great charitable work.
I have read that the Clintons are now worth about $150 million dollars. Almost all of this has been made since Bill Clinton left office in 2001.
So, how did they make their money?
They made speeches. A lot of speeches. There is nothing illegal about that.
Republicans argue that Hillary used her office as Secretary of State to set up the speeches for Bill. A new report says that 85 non-government contacts that donated to the CGI also paid Bill to give speeches. Is there anything illegal with that?
It's a convoluted argument they are making and we know the game the Republicans like to play, along with their allies in the media.
However, just as James Carville has said, the Clintons did not take a penny from the charity. It was run like every other top charity in the world. Money got access.
Although it might not look ethical, there is nothing illegal about it unless there is a quid pro quo.
It is not an issue that can be explained in a way that the American people can understand. So, the Republicans will continue to make political hay off it.
(If this is too controversial to discuss, feel free to delete)
underpants
(182,949 posts)BTW according to Wikipedia Ivanka Trump herself is worth $150M too.
CGI from what I understand us a fantastic charity spurring a lot of innovation- like the soccer ball that creates electricity.
tonyt53
(5,737 posts)When the tsunami hit Indonesia and other countries, those two went around the world raising money to be spent on helping those in need from that disaster. They did it for other causes too until Bush's health started failing. Bush II even commented that his mother had adopted another son - Bill Clinton.
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)Other authors rake in millions as they both did, but since it's them.... that must be bad.
kentuck
(111,110 posts)are rewarded.
Motley13
(3,867 posts)Haiti, Africa, aids, hunger, pure water
Trump Foundations benefit, you guessed it, the maggot
ksoze
(2,068 posts)The mixing of emails has created an optic issue that enemies will latch onto. Knowing the foundation would become scrutinized if she ran, I am surprised there was not more care in preparing for the eventual witch hunt. Proves even something good can be made to look bad by some slip ups not knowing the scrutiny that would come.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)salacious headlines and intriguing innuendo get more page hits and higher ratings.
It's much juicier to suggest Bill and Hill are pocketing all those donations, rather than pointing out that they don't make any money from the Foundation.
Iggo
(47,577 posts)That's my opinion.
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)I'll admit it's hard to defend some of these latest emails released where a person tried to gain access through State Department Chanel's and was denied, only to go through the foundation because they were a large donor and get a meeting really quick.
Is it illegal? No? Unethical? Probably not. Does it look good? Not at all- it's a horrible appearance of being for sale even though that's not what it is.
arthritisR_US
(7,300 posts)gathers as much money from the wealthy to give to the poor. Their track record for doing so astounding and their overhead costs are enviously low.
If they are forced to shut down the only ones who will suffer will be the voiceless poor. I think the universe will weep in that event.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Although I am curious to hear from Republicans why they're so invested in shutting down the Clinton Foundation. After all, it's Republicans who have been bleating for years that the big, bad government shouldn't have anything to do with charitable activities like feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and treating the sick. It's too expensive! Take care of our own first (meaning never)! Pouring money down foreign ratholes!
So, here's the Clinton Foundation, providing low-cost medicine to 800,000 children in Africa suffering with HIV. Shut it down! say Republicans. Shut it down! echo their media mouthpieces.
Does that look contradictory and hypocritical to anyone else? Or is it just me and the other dirty fucking hippies?
arthritisR_US
(7,300 posts)party of selfish degenerates.
Hekate
(90,865 posts)And his record of service was torn to shreds and twisted out of recognition by the GOP with their lies.
The GOP took Kerry's virtue and turned it into junk in the public eye -- with help from the MSM.
The CGI does great work, and is Bill Clinton's post-presidential legacy. The GOP is trying to turn it into garbage.
Consider the source, my mother used to say, when it came to gossip and rumor. Consider the source.
uponit7771
(90,367 posts)... them giving tons of money away to non rich.
I've moved my needle of the Clinton's towards "good people" side ... I don't think they toot their own horn loud enough... they're used to getting stuff done