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Hell, google speaking fees for anyone with a well known name - athletes, self help gurus, reality tv stars, etc.
I still don't see why people are so butt hurt about a private US citizen making money. What is Obama supposed to do? Flip burgers to show he stands with the working class?
First its not just the republicans that have an issue with Obama jumping right out of the gate and taking speaking fees from Wall St. Sanders, Warren even Bill Maher have issues with it.
There is a difference with a private citizen parlaying their success into speaking fees and a public servant taking their tax payer paid position and doing so. Its not just the huge speaking fees but the access that money buys in politics that benefits just those at the top.
It is just dirty. From either side of the aisle. And not just presidents but any cabinet person on up. They are getting paid not just to speak but for access and who knows what else. I will say the same thing if Trump pulls this same thing down the road.
Its not just this but getting board positions on companies and lobbying jobs after leaving the government. What happened to public service for the sake of the country not just one hoping to cash in later?
I say if they want to do it, tax them 90%. Make sure its all out in the open, unlike what Obama is doing. Let the US tax payers profit from these speeches.
Last edited by Oklazona Bound; 04-30-2017 at 09:24 AM..
First its not just the republicans that have an issue with Obama jumping right out of the gate and taking speaking fees from Wall St. Sanders, Warren even Bill Maher have issues with it.
There is a difference with a private citizen parlaying their success into speaking fees and a public servant taking their tax payer paid position and doing so. Its not just the huge speaking fees but the access that money buys in politics that benefits just those at the top.
It is just dirty. From either side of the aisle. And not just presidents but any cabinet person on up. They are getting paid not just to speak but for access and who knows what else. I will say the same thing if Trump pulls this same thing down the road.
Its not just this but getting board positions on companies and lobbying jobs after leaving the government. What happened to public service for the sake of the country not just one hoping to cash in later?
I say if they want to do it, tax them 90%. Make sure its all out in the open, unlike what Obama is doing. Let the US tax payers profit from these speeches.
Obama has done his public service. He is now a private citizen who has to pay bills.Ex's make about $ 300K from the government in retirement. Maybe thats enough,maybe not. Not our call. Most ex POTUS do some sort of post presidency projects benefiting others, and no doubt this also costs money.
As far as it not being in the open, since we are discussing it , and discussing one about 4-5 months before it happens, how is it not in the open?
Obama has done his public service. He is now a private citizen who has to pay bills.Ex's make about $ 300K from the government in retirement. Maybe thats enough,maybe not. Not our call. Most ex POTUS do some sort of post presidency projects benefiting others, and no doubt this also costs money.
As far as it not being in the open, since we are discussing it , and discussing one about 4-5 months before it happens, how is it not in the open?
Barack Obama once said, “I do think, at a certain point, you’ve made enough money.†Apparently Obama has not reached that threshold.
It was not out in the open but a private deal he made with Canter Fitzgerald. It got leaked to the press. We are talking about it because it was leaked not because Obama talked about it publicly.
This is the time for Obama to cement his legacy. If his legacy is to cash in as much and as often as possible so be it.
I have no issue for example with Jimmy Carter and the home building projects he does for people. All indications seem to be that Carter has used his previous public service for good since he was president not for private gain.
I have no issue with book deals like Obama has signed for $65 million. He has a right to write a book and get paid market value for it. Its transparent. No issues.
What is Wall St getting for their $400,000? You are not at least a little curious to find out?
I love to watch the faux outrage over everything Obama does when there is ample evidence that Politicians on the right have hardly been icons of virtue
He's not in office anymore, he has no power in the government, why is it any of our business? As long as he's retired from politics I don't care (it was shady when Hillary did it before her campaign).
More importantly, we can't say whether Trump the current president has done anything like this because he's hiding his tax returns!
Ever hear of the Mercers? The following rather lengthy article describes a case study delineating the realities (i.e. based on reality & not on libertarian, free market fundamentalist ... ideology) of the outcomes of the Citizens United ruling:
The Rolling Stones have earned 29 million for one stadium appearance. Obama is small potatoes.
On a side note, I guarantee if someone offers you 400k to speak anywhere, you will be all over it.
They won't. Why is that? I did nothing for them.
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