[Fe2002]

You know, there was one other thing that sorta concerned me about the Obama/Biden tix... From everything that was presented to me by the media, I really liked Biden. I still do like him...

But when his tax returns were released and the measley amount of his charitable contributions were revealed. That concerned me... You hardly hear anything about this in the media, but it's true and you can find it with a simple Google.

You preach on behalf of the middle class and poor, you rail against the rich, you lobby for Main St.... but at the end of the day you gave $995 dollars to charity? In a year where you earned $320k, you gave $995? That's 0.3% if his income. I'm sorry, that's a bit of a disconnect... from what he preaches and what he practices.

Charitable contributions are not mandatory, but honestly, that meager amount gave me a peak into what's really important to him. Did I mention that only half of that contribution was cash, the other half was the value of a donation.

For comparisons sake, it's been reported that the average American gives 2% of their income to charity.

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by binkybear

That is pure hatred being set forth and what I, as a person try really really hard to avoid. Should be avoiding it now, right...but THIS is what is wrong with our world today. People spewing hatred and others just ignoring it. I can not for the life of me imagine using your exact sentiments but for Barack. How terrible it would sound and how terrible it would be.

I have officially outgrown this thread. I am personally better than what it just became. And that is most certainly as respectful as I can be considering the circumstances.

Honestly I thought your response to Stormster was quite condescending. I think we all should be "better" than that.

[crick]

Fe2002 - Do you know if he donated any material items at all? Would that even be tracked?

I don't donate much cash, but do participate in food drives, donate my kids clothes, toys, bedding to charity, I also volunteer my time at school for functions instead of donating the money.

Just saying...not all charity is in the form of cash. (not arguing with you, just saying we might not have the whole story on what any person's charitable actions might be)

[BrandyHagz]

Now, if everyone who has said they were really 'done' would really be 'done' then this thread could die and go away, like it should.

I don't honestly see this thread creating anything but animosity between members...which makes me sad.

[Fe2002]

Originally Posted by crick

Fe2002 - Do you know if he donated any material items at all? Would that even be tracked?

I don't donate much cash, but do participate in food drives, donate my kids clothes, toys, bedding to charity, I also volunteer my time at school for functions instead of donating the money.

Just saying...not all charity is in the form of cash. (not arguing with you, just saying we might not have the whole story on what any person's charitable actions might be)

I've read that about $500 of the $995 was a donation other than cash. I agree this may not be the whole story on his charitable contributions. And again, charity contributions are not mandatory. He is under no obligation to contribute anything at all.

I personally use items such as this to gain insight as to what is truly important to a person.

In Biden's "defense" he is considered one of the "poorest" Senators in Washington. But with a household income of $320k he is doing alright by the "average" American's standard.

[vegaschristina]

Originally Posted by Fe2002

You preach on behalf of the middle class and poor, you rail against the rich, you lobby for Main St.... but at the end of the day you gave $995 dollars to charity? In a year where you earned $320k, you gave $995? That's 0.3% if his income. I'm sorry, that's a bit of a disconnect... from what he preaches and what he practices.

I don't make $320K a year and I donate more than $995 per year to charity, but if you looked at my tax returns, you'd not see that mentioned. To me charity is something that needs to be done because it's the right thing, not because of a tax write-off.

I'm not saying that's the case for Senator Biden, but for a lot of people in this world, charity is done for altruistic reasons only and not for the possible gain of a write-off or acknowledgment.

[Fe2002]

Originally Posted by vegaschristina

I don't make $320K a year and I donate more than $995 per year to charity, but if you looked at my tax returns, you'd not see that mentioned. To me charity is something that needs to be done because it's the right thing, not because of a tax write-off.

I'm not saying that's the case for Senator Biden, but for a lot of people in this world, charity is done for altruistic reasons only and not for the possible gain of a write-off or acknowledgment.

Vegas, I'm with you on that... However, if you pull my tax return you will see more or less all of my charitable contributions. I don't think that makes me any less altruistic than someone who doesn't list it on their tax returns though.

Again, with all the spin from the media, I use nuggets of info like this to help me draw conclusions.

[islandgirl1]

Originally Posted by binkybear

That is pure hatred being set forth and what I, as a person try really really hard to avoid. Should be avoiding it now, right...but THIS is what is wrong with our world today. People spewing hatred and others just ignoring it. I can not for the life of me imagine using your exact sentiments but for Barack. How terrible it would sound and how terrible it would be.

I have officially outgrown this thread. I am personally better than what it just became. And that is most certainly as respectful as I can be considering the circumstances.

I have to agree with Binkybear. The hatred that is spewing forth in this thread is disturbing at best and many post are just too backwards and ignorant to place any credence in. This is a great nation that has achieved many wonderful things...the right to vote (many countries do not) the right to have children (China has a one child only policy) driving (women is Arab countries are not allowed to drive), the right of free speech etc. etc. The one thing that distrubs me is how downright mean and rude other WOMEN can be when it comes to Gov. Palin. I hear and read such vile hatred for her and over such silly things like her glasses. You don't have to agree with her politics, but you should be respectful. My faith teachs tolerance, respect and love for our fellow man, but does it not apply to ALL, including politicians? If such evil and vile comments were being made about Senator Obama wouldn't that be viewed racist? Would you tolerate it and join in? How about Senator Liberman? Wouldn't this kind of hatred be viewed anti-semitic? So for all the folks that have this hatred in their hearts for Gov. Palin maybe you need to view what's in your heart and ask yourself: Are you any better than a racist, bigot, hate monger? I wouldn't tolerate this kind of vile speech in my home, office, or my church. The Democratic party is always talking about bringing the country together, helping our fellow man, being tolerant of others that are different, equality of the sexes, but I guess it's only talking points. I can only hope that the next generation will have more manners, respect and tolerance than this one. I would be frightend if people with this much hatred got full power. That's how Hitler got into power and we all know what he and the Nazi's did.

[lovemy2boys]

Originally Posted by islandgirl1

I would be frightend if people with this much hatred got full power. That's how Hitler got into power and we all know what he and the Nazi's did.

Ok - although I've been out of this conversation, this is where I step in...I'm not sure who you are referring to, but as someone who's immediate family was directly affected by the actions of Hitler, this kind of sentiment gets my dander up...BIG time.

And I can say that NEITHER party has anyone in the race, or remotely NEAR it that should be subjected to such a comparison.

I agree with Brandy...I hope this thread does die out...(although I know that my post does not promote this feeling. But I really get upset when I read stuff like that.)

[MamaS]

I have not read all 50 pages of this, because it got repetitive. But as to charity, my religion considers charity as a private act. We DO NOT report charitable donations. I support a child in Costa Rica, give clothing to the Kidney Foundation monthly, used cell phones to Collective Good, food to the local food bank, etc. but NOTHING is listed on my tax return.
Perhaps Biden feels the same way?

[manni28]

I have to agree with Binkybear. The hatred that is spewing forth in this thread is disturbing at best and many post are just too backwards and ignorant to place any credence in. This is a great nation that has achieved many wonderful things...the right to vote (many countries do not) the right to have children (China has a one child only policy) driving (women is Arab countries are not allowed to drive), the right of free speech etc. etc. The one thing that distrubs me is how downright mean and rude other WOMEN can be when it comes to Gov. Palin. I hear and read such vile hatred for her and over such silly things like her glasses. You don't have to agree with her politics, but you should be respectful. My faith teachs tolerance, respect and love for our fellow man, but does it not apply to ALL, including politicians? If such evil and vile comments were being made about Senator Obama wouldn't that be viewed racist? Would you tolerate it and join in? How about Senator Liberman? Wouldn't this kind of hatred be viewed anti-semitic? So for all the folks that have this hatred in their hearts for Gov. Palin maybe you need to view what's in your heart and ask yourself: Are you any better than a racist, bigot, hate monger? I wouldn't tolerate this kind of vile speech in my home, office, or my church. The Democratic party is always talking about bringing the country together, helping our fellow man, being tolerant of others that are different, equality of the sexes, but I guess it's only talking points. I can only hope that the next generation will have more manners, respect and tolerance than this one. I would be frightend if people with this much hatred got full power. That's how Hitler got into power and we all know what he and the Nazi's did.

Don't you think you're being a "bit" dramatic? And for the record, there are people who DO feel the same way about Obama being in the White House. I feel the way about Palin because of her policies such as book banning and her lack of knowledge. She went to five colleges before she graduated, for goodness sakes!

[sbaglio]

Originally Posted by BrandyHagz

Now, if everyone who has said they were really 'done' would really be 'done' then this thread could die and go away, like it should.

I don't honestly see this thread creating anything but animosity between members...which makes me sad.

I agree that those who say they are "done" are not really "done"...it's mostly said for dramatic effect (as if it will influence the rest of us).

I disagree that this thread should die and go away. The essence of the thread is an important one. This is not the only contentious thread on adoption.com, nor will it be the last. If there was no interest, it wouldn't have been so popular. So I say let people keep on discussing this issue (and the many related ones).

[vegaschristina]

Here's a topic related to the origional post for discussion rather than the other stuffs that have been mentioned in this thread...

Jamie Lynn Spears was crucified (her mom's words, not mine) by the press for being pregnant and underage, yet Palin's daughter seems to be applauded for her decisions.

Do you agree?

[lovemy2boys]

Originally Posted by vegaschristina

Here's a topic related to the origional post for discussion rather than the other stuffs that have been mentioned in this thread...

Jamie Lynn Spears was crucified (her mom's words, not mine) by the press for being pregnant and underage, yet Palin's daughter seems to be applauded for her decisions.

Do you agree?

Hmmm..I do agree that Jamie Lynn was "crucified" by the press...but as far as the Palin family, I think more of the focus has been on Sarah as opposed to Bristol...I wouldn't say she was necessarily applauded, but I think the line of fire (or praise depending on which side of the party line you fall) has been at her mother as opposed to her.

[Fe2002]

Originally Posted by manni28

Don't you think you're being a "bit" dramatic? And for the record, there are people who DO feel the same way about Obama being in the White House. I feel the way about Palin because of her policies such as book banning and her lack of knowledge. She went to five colleges before she graduated, for goodness sakes!

I'm actually laughing out loud, because I just counted and I went to 5 colleges before I actually got my undergrad degree - 3 different cities... not that that makes it better! Only one college for my graduate degree though. So a total of 6 colleges... Well, at least it doesn't disqualify me for higher office

BTW, snopes.com claims the book banning claim is false. Just another ugly rumor...