The Bush Years Have Been Good…

...for the Clintons.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Clinton made nearly $109 million since they left the White House, capitalizing on the world’s interest in the former first couple and lucrative business ventures.

The Clintons reported $20.4 million in income for 2007 as they gave the public the most detailed look at their finances in eight years. Almost half the former first couple’s money came from Bill Clinton’s speeches.

Good for them.  I’m sure that they are giving a little extra to the government for the good of the country, right?  After all, that’s what Hillary wants us to do. 

UPDATE: Thanks to mht, the Wall Street Journal reports that they have!

Of the $109 million the Clintons reported from 2001 to 2007, they paid more than $33 million in taxes and gave more than $10 million to charity, the campaign said. That suggests the couple paid more in taxes than most people in their income bracket.

Outside experts said the Clintons seemed to have been conservative in their tax filings, skipping some fairly ordinary deductions that many taxpayers take.

Or… they should fire their accountant. 

1. I’m sure that they are giving a little extra to the government for the good of the country, right?

   According to Wall Street Journal, they are.

   http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120733962298890681.html ?mod=special_page_campaign2008_topbox

   Of the $109 million the Clintons reported from 2001 to 2007, they paid more than $33 million in taxes and gave more than $10 million to charity, the campaign said. That suggests the couple paid more in taxes than most people in their income bracket.

   Outside experts said the Clintons seemed to have been conservative in their tax filings, skipping some fairly ordinary deductions that many taxpayers take

   Tax experts said Mr. Clinton was paid the equivalent of a salary by Yucaipa, called a guaranteed payment, which in his case was likely taxed at the top ordinary income rate of 35%. Most partners in such investment funds take advantage of a loophole in the tax code known as “carried interest,” which permits them to enjoy a low, capital gains rate of 15% on most of their compensation.

   Posted by on April 05, 2008 at 0837 hrs




2. Damn that liberal Wall Street Journal.

   Posted by on April 05, 2008 at 0943 hrs




3. As I read that, I tried to speculate what that means?  Are the Clintons kind of like the low-rents that win the lottery & wind up poorer than they were before?  Don’t have access to competent tax advisors?  Or scariest of all, might be in a position to effect changes in tax policy, and if so do they have any understanding how taxes work?

   Posted by on April 05, 2008 at 1019 hrs




4. Drudge is reporting that most their “charitable” donations went to the Clinton Foundation - whatever the h that is.

   Posted by on April 05, 2008 at 1402 hrs




5. I know this story is now 48-hours old in the spin cycle, but I do think this puts the final nail in Hillary’s coffin. 

   I can’t quite verbalize why, but this just seems to bring back that whole ambiance about the Clintons being for “you” when in reality it is always about “them”

   And Hillary can afford to pay some extra taxes.....she’s an excellent commodities investor and that market is in a bull run right now.  I’m sure she’s up 10,000 percent on her investments with Red Bone.....

   Posted by on April 06, 2008 at 2113 hrs




6. Not on-topic (Clinton & taxes), but this is too good to miss!

   Hillary Clinton Tells False Health Care Horror Story-4/4/08

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A33DEl3y5Tg&NR;=1

   Posted by on April 06, 2008 at 2128 hrs