Democratic Primaries

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)

85. Not picking on Biden or Sanders because it's all legal and common practice, but

Tue Jun 25, 2019, 01:17 PM

Jun 2019

the fact that they can command such large fees for speaking or write automatic bestsellers is a symptom of a social problem - the making of our politicians into celebrities, and as we've seen from Reagan to Trump, making our celebrities into politicians. Entertainment and politics have merged.

The reward for a distinguished career in public service is no longer the mere gratitude of the masses and a nice retirement, but an open invitation from the wealthy elite to join their ranks. This problem has nothing to do with Biden, but it says a lot about the structure of our society.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

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WaPo: 'Middle Class Joe' Biden has reaped millions in income since leaving the vice presidency [View all] BeyondGeography Jun 2019 OP

So? hlthe2b Jun 2019 #1

Good for him. Lochloosa Jun 2019 #11

So Biden is earning money after being VP? IluvPitties Jun 2019 #2

Warren is super wealthy...so? Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #3

So what... Zoonart Jun 2019 #4

I've never understood why people assume something insidous... brooklynite Jun 2019 #5

It doesn't take much imagination BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #6

The only people I recall complaining in 2016... brooklynite Jun 2019 #7

Here's a more realistic view of all that BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #13

Good article. Thank you for posting it. CentralMass Jun 2019 #41

Sigh sacto95834 Jun 2019 #107

Thanks BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #115

Yep mcar Jun 2019 #21

That's the thing, it's "imagination". I've only see speech transcripts used as an issue..... George II Jun 2019 #12

Damn right we learned that lesson. But her emails... But her speeches.... MrsCoffee Jun 2019 #47

Succinctly put, Mrs Coffee Hekate Jun 2019 #90

+1 and then some. oasis Jun 2019 #112

Not to pick on Biden, because it's a perfectly legal and common practice. marylandblue Jun 2019 #15

Exactly...wages are out of whack when a football player or the likes gets millions and ... SWBTATTReg Jun 2019 #80

Yes...but how much is enough? sacto95834 Jun 2019 #108

Yes, that's all true. I don't blame Biden for taking the generous offers, but marylandblue Jun 2019 #114

Here we go again. WHO CARES except supporters of candidates who are far behind Biden? George II Jun 2019 #8

Weak sauce Vegas Roller Jun 2019 #9

"Weak sauce" I love it. Nt emmaverybo Jun 2019 #103

Biden isn't my first choice, but Bettie Jun 2019 #10

Hear, hear! Enough already!!!!!! secondwind Jun 2019 #14

Books are fine, paid corporate speeches for monster bucks are a potential disaster BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #20

Why? mcar Jun 2019 #23

Authenticity eom BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #25

Simple branding rather than authenticity. LanternWaste Jun 2019 #66

What is inauthentic about giving a speech? mcar Jun 2019 #83

Speeches are bad, but if you write a best-selling book, you can be a millionaire, too. betsuni Jun 2019 #93

I can't keep up with the rules, betsuni mcar Jun 2019 #95

I know. When in doubt, ask: What Would Bernie Do? betsuni Jun 2019 #97

... mcar Jun 2019 #98

What about books? A book is a speech you pay for and read. betsuni Jun 2019 #94

So, no one else Bettie Jun 2019 #28

Recently and at $150k-$200k a pop? BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #29

That's not a lot of money for a political rock star. Dr Hobbitstein Jun 2019 #56

Hey, Obama recently got $600k for a gig in Colombia BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #65

Nah, it's what you do if you're in demand and you want to do it. Dr Hobbitstein Jun 2019 #92

If you'd like to know... LanternWaste Jun 2019 #68

Senators aren't allowed to collect speaking fees BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #69

I'll bet my bottom dollar LibFarmer Jun 2019 #43

No way, man TheFarseer Jun 2019 #82

I don't think he will run in 2024 LibFarmer Jun 2019 #88

Sanders has already filed paper work to run for the senate as an independent in 2024 Thekaspervote Jun 2019 #106

I don't think he will run LibFarmer Jun 2019 #111

Obviously some have learned nothing. MrsCoffee Jun 2019 #50

You seem to be the only one worked up over it BannonsLiver Jun 2019 #75

I've heard people like to be paid for their work. Just rumors, of course. wyldwolf Jun 2019 #16

Good for him mcar Jun 2019 #17

But what about Warren's speaking fees? wyldwolf Jun 2019 #18

lol dude that's weak sauce shanny Jun 2019 #52

it's actually pretty potent sauce... wyldwolf Jun 2019 #71

lol again shanny Jun 2019 #81

lol... again wyldwolf Jun 2019 #84

15 years ago before she entered politics? BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #102

Are you denying Warren has taken cash from a lobbyist and as an "expert witness?" wyldwolf Jun 2019 #104

As a leading expert in bankruptcy laws and related legal matters, she was paid expert witness fees. hedda_foil Jun 2019 #116

"we'll see if there's an issue there." - that's where the spin comes in wyldwolf Jun 2019 #117

This message was self-deleted by its author irisblue Jun 2019 #19

Notto Disu Shitto Agen. Scurrilous Jun 2019 #22

So how do you feel about candidates who give "free" speeches to an auditorium full of... George II Jun 2019 #24

Who are they potentially beholden to as a result of that? BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #27

It's just another form of getting "paid" for speeches, which seems to be the issue here. George II Jun 2019 #30

Who is paying is the issue BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #31

Sadly people are making this an issue..... George II Jun 2019 #39

Bernie's conference sponsor paid for the books and gave them out for free marylandblue Jun 2019 #57

That is different. That is a religious revival Vegas Roller Jun 2019 #59

Has he released his taxes yet? I remember that's very important. Nanjeanne Jun 2019 #26

Here... brooklynite Jun 2019 #32

Only 18?!?! PatSeg Jun 2019 #38

Sorry. I should have said ones since he was out of office. Nanjeanne Jun 2019 #48

He's released 18 years of tax returns without prodding. The last three (when out of office).... George II Jun 2019 #35

Been asked and answered repeatedly. MrsCoffee Jun 2019 #67

LOL I wouldn't go down that path BannonsLiver Jun 2019 #76

Almost everyone PatSeg Jun 2019 #33

good let's go Joe ! stonecutter357 Jun 2019 #34

Good God in Butter Botany Jun 2019 #36

Amen to that!! Peacetrain Jun 2019 #42

Not a BFD. Scoopster Jun 2019 #37

I hate jealous headlines dreamland Jun 2019 #40

Not picking on Biden or Sanders because it's all legal and common practice, but marylandblue Jun 2019 #85

Just like all the other ridiculous bullshit.... quickesst Jun 2019 #44

Imagine the horror had he written a book. And bought a lake house. Autumn Jun 2019 #45

Politicians are rich? Who in the HELL knew? Watchfoxheadexplodes Jun 2019 #46

Didn't Trump say Clarity2 Jun 2019 #49

Should be fun if the usual suspects have a go at millionaire dem OnDoutside Jun 2019 #51

Hillary's Speeches, Redux. MineralMan Jun 2019 #53

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! left-of-center2012 Jun 2019 #54

Some people write books and become rich. Some people give democratisphere Jun 2019 #55

Dear God. Not the right wing "release the speeches" bit. SouthernProgressive Jun 2019 #58

Some people obviously don't recognize a lament when they see one BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #60

Your mourning didn't go unnoticed. NT SouthernProgressive Jun 2019 #61

Quit lamenting and back the absolute most qualified Presidential candidate the Democrats have. democratisphere Jun 2019 #64

+1000. nt ecstatic Jun 2019 #63

Another dud .. about to fail LibFarmer Jun 2019 #62

Oh, great. Polly Hennessey Jun 2019 #70

What? "although in some of those cases he was reimbursed for travel expenses"? tishaLA Jun 2019 #72

Matt Vizer. Every article this guy writes is critical of Joe Biden. blue neen Jun 2019 #73

Good catch! Scurrilous Jun 2019 #87

Release the transcripts BannonsLiver Jun 2019 #74

They need to be more concerned with what the current "president" is doing to earn money. Afromania Jun 2019 #77

Who cares? Gothmog Jun 2019 #78

Write something good about Elizabeth Warren, avoid recycled character assasination on other emulatorloo Jun 2019 #79

We have the Squatter-in-Chief involved in a grifter bonanza and . . . peggysue2 Jun 2019 #86

How dare he? All True Dems wear sackcloth and go barefoot from one place to another... Hekate Jun 2019 #89

I know a few homeless people who we could nominate - OhZone Jun 2019 #91

"It must be a fantastic speech, a brilliant speech which you would want to share with the American betsuni Jun 2019 #96

it's mostly resentful white men who have a problem with this JI7 Jun 2019 #99

Do we blame rump or our own parties purity police ? Huh?????? nt UniteFightBack Jun 2019 #100

Good. He was one of the poorest senator's at the time he entered and for some time after. nt emmaverybo Jun 2019 #101

And time to keep it in perspective thegoose Jun 2019 #105

the point is he didn't get wealthy KT2000 Jun 2019 #109

Never mind about this...I think you should demand the emails!!! Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #110

Poor David Sirota NYMinute Jun 2019 #113

he's such a tool. wyldwolf Jun 2019 #118

This sounds like the same attacks the Sander's backers hurled at HRC. Fla Dem Jun 2019 #119