Posted on May 23, 2015
Greed and the Presidency. Can any of the presidential aspirants claim to represent the common man?
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As 2016’s diverse cast of aspirants comes into sharper focus, so does a shared story, a common theme. It’s one of avarice, acquisitiveness and a resistance to living within the financial bounds of elected office.
It’s not new to this year’s players, but it’s especially vivid, not least because Hillary Clinton stars in the show. “Dead broke” upon leaving the White House, she and Bill chased not only fat book advances but also morbidly obese speaking fees, under the guise of needing to “pay our bills.”
And so she orated for dollars as long as she could, announcing her candidacy only after she’d collected a final fee estimated at $200,000 from the American Camp Association.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-greed-and-the-presidency.html?hpw&rref=opinion&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0
It’s not new to this year’s players, but it’s especially vivid, not least because Hillary Clinton stars in the show. “Dead broke” upon leaving the White House, she and Bill chased not only fat book advances but also morbidly obese speaking fees, under the guise of needing to “pay our bills.”
And so she orated for dollars as long as she could, announcing her candidacy only after she’d collected a final fee estimated at $200,000 from the American Camp Association.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/17/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-greed-and-the-presidency.html?hpw&rref=opinion&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0
Posted in these groups: 
Politics
Election 2016
Politics Election 2016
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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When was the last time any serious Presidential candidate was not a millionaire?
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
True PO1 John Miller, but I think --- and the author makes this point --- that the current slate of candidates are particularly hell-bent on "living the good life" while claiming to represent the interests of the "average" American. The question becomes, of course, to what lengths will they go to maintain their lifestyle and who's interests are they really more inclined to care about ...
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SSG Leonard Johnson
Hahahaha maybe the question should be when was the last time the president ended up broke when they left the White House. I think grant, and a few others back in the 1800's were a few of them
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PO1 John Miller
So none that most of us would remember, except for maybe Truman (for the older crowd of course).
The presidents of my lifetime all retired/died wealthy. Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush 42.
I wasn't around for Nixon's term, but I was alive when he died.
The presidents of my lifetime all retired/died wealthy. Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush 42.
I wasn't around for Nixon's term, but I was alive when he died.
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Suspended Profile
IMHO, all human beings act in their own self-interest. This is not to conflate self-interest with blind selfishness, or to say to act in a self-interested manner is inherently wrong (as I take the opposite stance). It is natural and inevitable, which is why I don't take too much issue with the fact that these people are trying to get as much as they can out of their position, but I DO take issue with how much power and leeway they are given. Rather than fight or abhor human nature, I'd recommend directing that frustration towards the system instead, and advocate limited gov't.
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I do not believe that a average man can become the President of the United States any longer. it all comes down to money and how much it cost to campaign to become president. I would just hope that there still a good man out there with integrity, honor, courage to do what is right for a country for a change.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
If by that you mean a politician who will put the country before him/her self anymore, I am right there with you. But, to be honest, I am running out of hope --- I don't see a single candidate out there that seems to be putting the needs of the nation first.
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