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Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:00 PM Apr 2016

A blast from the Bern's past...20 years ago. His hometown paper knew him well.

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/el-cheapo/Content?oid=2433883

SEVEN DAYS
Vermont's Independent Voice


By Peter Freyne

October 16, 1996

EL CHEAPO!

Sanders is making more money than at any time in his life but gives next to nothing to charity organizations. This leads Peter Freyne to reminisce about Bernie's early mayoral charity-trashing speech to the United Way.

He's the only independent in Congress, the self-proclaimed champion of "poor people, working people and the elderly," and he wears his politics on his sleeve. Since his historic 1981 election as mayor of Burlington, it's been one success after another for Bernie Sanders, and during that period the Bern has gone from living off working-class wages to doing pretty good for himself. Hey, it's America —The Land of Opportunity!

The old apartment he rented on North Union St. back in 1981 has been replaced by the $175,000 hacienda on Killarney Drive in the New North End. The $40,000 a year he pulled down as mayor way back when has more than tripled. Last year Congressman Bernie Sanders picked up a $133,000 pay check. And he's entitled to it. Day in and day out he works his butt off fighting in the trenches of the U.S. House of Representatives against the big-monied interests of corporate capitalism. Right?

But some things never change: Bernie Sanders is still a cheapskate.

Back in those early days of the Sanderista Revolution — the one that shook Burlington, Vermont like it had never been shaken before, the progressive mayor turned this community on its ear. With street-sweeper accuracy, Ol' Bernardo let the moneychangers, the hospital bigwigs and the board of trustees at groovy-UV know right off they were the enemy and he was coming to get 'em with the mighty sword of taxation. Revolutionary zeal was all the rage, and no one who was there will ever forget that memorable day at the Ramada Inn in 1981 when Mayor Sanders was invited to address the kickoff of the United Way campaign.

Speaking directly from his Marxist bible (Karl, not Groucho), Ol' Bernardo couldn't conceal the contempt he held for all those well-dressed do-gooders. His infamous, in-your-face "I Don't Believe In Charity" speech knocked 'em on their tushes. The audience sat in stunned silence as Sanders sermonized about his dream to one day live in a society in which there was no need for charity. After all, who ever heard of "Boris' Kids" or the "Soviet Heart Association?"

Excellent read. Here's more:

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/el-cheapo/Content?oid=2433883



Peter Freyne - Journalist



18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A blast from the Bern's past...20 years ago. His hometown paper knew him well. (Original Post) Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 OP
This is overdue. Buzz Clik Apr 2016 #1
Isn't it? I just happened upon it while looking for info. on his taxes. Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 #2
Wow! pandr32 Apr 2016 #3
And, if you read the journalist's bio on the same page, he appears to be a VERY-well Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 #5
El Cheapo doesn't believe in charity~ yikes! Little Star Apr 2016 #4
So much for sharing everything, seems he only wants to take away from others but not him. Thinkingabout Apr 2016 #6
That sure doesn't sound like a socialist ideology, does it? George II Apr 2016 #10
Wait, what?! HillareeeHillaraah Apr 2016 #7
LOL fleabiscuit Apr 2016 #8
So what had he done with his money? That was an excellent salary livetohike Apr 2016 #9
Sanders alone has earned close to $5M in the last 25 years, who knows how much Jane earned. George II Apr 2016 #12
Thanks. I guess that explains why.... George II Apr 2016 #11
Is it the cheapness or the disdain for anything or anyone Democratic? Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 #13
"I don't believe in charities". Well, he does. His Bernie2016 campaign coffers need fillin' even BlueCaliDem Apr 2016 #14
Yeah, every time one of those Bernie concern-trolls show up to lay some Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 #16
That this hasn't gotten wider coverage tells you what the BernieBlackout actually was synergie Apr 2016 #15
It took me about 5 minutes to find it while googling his tax record. Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 #17
I saw this awhile ago, but was unable to post it due to the synergie Apr 2016 #18
 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
5. And, if you read the journalist's bio on the same page, he appears to be a VERY-well
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:11 PM
Apr 2016

respected (now deceased) member of the staff.

Pretty revealing stuff, huh?

 

HillareeeHillaraah

(685 posts)
7. Wait, what?!
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:14 PM
Apr 2016

So feeding a child isn't the goal.

Who feeds the child is the point...

This is Bernie Sanders ideology?



fleabiscuit

(4,542 posts)
8. LOL
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:16 PM
Apr 2016

"...And our beloved congressperson deducted a grand total of $1,369 for "Gifts to Charity." That's all of 1 percent of his impressive income going to charity. Over the years, Bill Clinton's taken bigger deductions for dropping his pre-owned Jockey shorts off at the Salvation Army. Can you say "Scrooge"?..."

livetohike

(22,145 posts)
9. So what had he done with his money? That was an excellent salary
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:18 PM
Apr 2016

back then. Maybe he gambles, or some other expensive vice. Maybe that's why he won't produce his tax returns.

George II

(67,782 posts)
12. Sanders alone has earned close to $5M in the last 25 years, who knows how much Jane earned.
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:28 PM
Apr 2016

Yet his net worth is a mere $500,000 to $800,000?

According to his own financial disclosure, he doesn't have a mortgage, doesn't have a car loan, etc. All he owes is about $50,000 on a credit card.

So, on the surface they seem to be very fiscally irresponsible.

George II

(67,782 posts)
11. Thanks. I guess that explains why....
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:25 PM
Apr 2016

.... Clinton has raised more than $18M for other Democrats, Sanders $0

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
14. "I don't believe in charities". Well, he does. His Bernie2016 campaign coffers need fillin' even
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:33 PM
Apr 2016

though his campaign is dead in the water and, at this point, going nowhere. But he keeps trying to get his followers to send in more $$s to keep his favorite charity alive.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
16. Yeah, every time one of those Bernie concern-trolls show up to lay some
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:44 PM
Apr 2016

so-sincere worries on me, I reply:

"Save your concern for the real victims--those poor deluded dupes who keep pay-paling their hard-earned 27 bucks into the Bern's coffers!"

LOL!

 

synergie

(1,901 posts)
15. That this hasn't gotten wider coverage tells you what the BernieBlackout actually was
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 01:41 PM
Apr 2016

a blackout on anything that might have vetted him. It's all about pushing the propaganda, they really really wanted a horse race.

 

synergie

(1,901 posts)
18. I saw this awhile ago, but was unable to post it due to the
Thu Apr 7, 2016, 02:03 PM
Apr 2016

alert stalking into silence by the mob here. I didn't realize it was not actually out there.

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