Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, have filed their 2011 taxes. And over at the Carpe Diem blog, their charitable giving from 1998 has been displayed in a handy graph.
I'll summarize it here, but you should definitely check out Mark Perry's blog, which is excellent.
It's simple. The Bidens made in excess of $200,000 annually since 1998. That's rich, according to Obama. But their charitable contributions never once exceeded $400. That's right. Out of an annual pay packet of $200,000+, they never parted with more than $400.
Then, like Paul on the road to Damascus, in 2007, they saw the light. On the eve of the 2008 presidential campaign -- Biden was a candidate, right? -- they bumped up the giving to almost $1000.
And from 2008 to today, they've given more each year, reporting $5500 for 2011.
Times are tough, right? So pretty much everyone in their bracket has slowed down the giving, right?
Wrong.
In the Biden bracket, from 1998 to about 2005, the average charitable deduction was about $5000. From there it started to rise, and this year the average is $9500.
Joe Biden would rather give your money away than his. Nice to know.
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
He thinks his runaway mouth is the functional equivalent of a charitable gift. Spreading sweetness, light, and wisdom to all.
Dec '10
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Hey, he's been serving his country for years in DC. Cut the lovable old duffer some slack. /sarcasm off
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
You wing nuts don't understand. Biden could make twice as much money in the private sector, but he prefers to work in public service. Hence his job as Vice President is an act of charity. Asking him to do more would be like gilding the lollypop, as he'd put it.
Aug '11
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Although this information has been reported for years about Biden's charitable contributions, it never gets any traction outside of the conservative media. This year won't be any different. The Left's Do As I Say, Not As I Do mantra seems to be in overdrive and when it finally is illustrated and placed in front of their noses, all I ever hear is "so...big deal...it's a non-event" along with the requisite shoulder-shrug. My new favorite line is..."manufactured fake outrage."
Aug '10
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Geez, I donate more than $1,000 per year, and I make less than $50,000!
Nov '10
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
He thinks he's God's gift to voters.
And he is -- Republican voters.
Aug '10
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Rob Long:
Joe Biden would rather give your money away than his. Nice to know. · · 57 minutes ago
That last sentence is it the story in a nutshell. Progressive Leftists want to spread the wealth - just not their own.
Dec '11
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
If Joe Biden claims residency in Delaware, he is more than likely losing 50% of his earnings to state and federal taxes. The irony of this scenario is that people in his income bracket (a healthy one) - due, in large part to his political party - can't afford charitable giving.
Apr '12
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Fascinating that the $200,000 crowd increased giving when it was presumably more needed. More evidence the private market is capable of addressing the needs of the destitute than government.
LOL @ James Lileks' biting sarcasm.
Edited on April 16, 2012 at 10:49pmNov '10
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Classic example of the left wanting to be generous with other people's money. Good books on this... Who Really Cares by Arthur Brooks, Do as I Say, Not as I Do (Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy) by Peter Schweizer, and Makers and Takers also by Schweizer.
It's also a theme that I get from liberal friends from time to time. They say: "You're a Christian, you should support more government spending to help people because Jesus said to help people." Well, the position is a bit more "nuanced" than that (join me my nuanced liberal friends). Jesus admonished ME to help, he didn't command that I lobby my government to coerce money from my neighbors to help (then congratulate myself). A subtle difference perhaps, but an important one, I think.
Biden going from $400 to $5500... this is a big [CoC violation] deal!
Mar '11
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
It's petty to talk about Biden's declared income. Members of his family, notably brother James and son Hunter, have done very well out of selling access to one of the poorest men in "public service".
No doubt the Vice President's extended family do a lot of charity, and without unseemly fanfare.
Jul '10
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
Does he declare the $21,000 a year he charges for his Secret Service detail to occupy the cottage he owns?
Dec '11
Re: Joe Biden Discovers Charitable Giving
I thought he called himself a Catholic? I would bet his pastor would disagree if he's not putting anything in the collection basket.