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Cheese Sandwich

(9,086 posts)
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 05:52 PM Feb 2016

So is the Clinton Foundation basically just a big slush fund to help corporations influence policy?

So is the Clinton Foundation basically just a big slush fund to help multinational corporations to influence government policies?

Looking at their sponsors it seems to be a bunch of multinational corporations. There seems to be a lot of money sloshing around with these multinational companies trying to influence governments and international agencies. How shady is it really?

https://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative/meetings/annual-meetings/2015/sponsors































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So is the Clinton Foundation basically just a big slush fund to help corporations influence policy? (Original Post) Cheese Sandwich Feb 2016 OP
Now, let's be fair! I'm sure there's also some tax-dodging involved as well. arcane1 Feb 2016 #1
Helps itemize the jet fuel. Octafish Feb 2016 #12
Facilitation-for-a-fee, aka The Big Grift! Divernan Feb 2016 #107
The Bushes do it too! This is how the game is played. Betty Karlson Feb 2016 #110
The FBI is asking the same question. TTUBatfan2008 Feb 2016 #2
I believe it's the State Department, the FBI at this point is just investigating Hillary's e-mails. Uncle Joe Feb 2016 #16
I think the State subpoena... TTUBatfan2008 Feb 2016 #17
It could be. Uncle Joe Feb 2016 #19
Interesting that it's the State Dept. Obama's State Dept., former SOS, etc. senz Feb 2016 #27
I can't imagine President Obama not being seriously perturbed by the way Uncle Joe Feb 2016 #34
She serves herself senz Feb 2016 #38
This will seriously taint his legacy. I'm stunned that he wants her to follow him. The Skwmom Feb 2016 #48
agreed. his trust was her smokescreen hopemountain Feb 2016 #70
No, but she is Third Way Nite Owl Feb 2016 #96
The Repugs will be asking what I am asking, where are the transcripts for the speeches to Dustlawyer Feb 2016 #77
I'm sure there is philanthropic intent.. speaktruthtopower Feb 2016 #3
Not having ANY charity work done would be too obvious. n/t Skwmom Feb 2016 #5
The intent is blatant corporate welfare - see my posts below re Haiti. Divernan Feb 2016 #21
speaking of Haiti, he was part of a fundraiser that garnered 2m$ then demanded roguevalley Feb 2016 #71
Insatiable greed along with his other insatiable need. Divernan Feb 2016 #78
$8 million in travel expenses for 2013, as one example amborin Feb 2016 #84
Leasing posh private jets - a million here, a million there adds up Divernan Feb 2016 #90
Don't forget huge donations from weapons manufacturers during her SOS stint senz Feb 2016 #32
Setting up charities in other countries, bundling the money and then transferring it to the Clinton Skwmom Feb 2016 #4
Charity Navigator: amborin Feb 2016 #33
I don't think they used quid pro quo language at Charity Navigator. Skwmom Feb 2016 #46
I've seen it described as a money laundering operation. Divernan Feb 2016 #52
So...basically 91% of the money donated to the Clinton Foundation goes to PatrickforO Feb 2016 #73
it is very shady; the cf defends itself by saying that, rather than amborin Feb 2016 #82
Actually, that's normal operation of rich people foundations... JackRiddler Feb 2016 #87
How many $$$ parked in Chelsea's hubby's hedge fund? Divernan Feb 2016 #103
Interesting. Thanks for the info. Cheese Sandwich Feb 2016 #100
only 9% goes to charity? Seriously? That is inexcusable. liberal_at_heart Feb 2016 #116
We know why. 840high Feb 2016 #99
Be clear it is not shady it is blatant Vincardog Feb 2016 #6
It's the Clinton way. JRLeft Feb 2016 #7
Yep. Grifters supreme. hifiguy Feb 2016 #93
What's Latin for "Grifting well is the best revenge"? Divernan Feb 2016 #104
Yes they are. JRLeft Apr 2016 #121
+10000 amborin Apr 2016 #119
I swear you are trying to write a Bond movie... Agschmid Feb 2016 #8
Or the FBI is. Fawke Em Feb 2016 #14
They must think putting the Foundation in the middle of quid pro quo would put people off the scent. AtomicKitten Feb 2016 #9
Do you realize how much good people like Bill and Melida Gates do with their money? redstateblues Feb 2016 #10
They could give me some I wouldn't complain LOL Cheese Sandwich Feb 2016 #11
Sure! Like destroying our K-12 educational system! jeff47 Feb 2016 #15
It's more than that. Money is POWER. Octafish Feb 2016 #13
Those $$$ spent to build infrastructure for corporations to exploit cheap labor. Divernan Feb 2016 #18
Heckuva job, Clinton Foundation! Divernan Feb 2016 #20
Wow thanks for all this info. Cheese Sandwich Feb 2016 #22
SOS Clinton - act in haste, don't worry about the consequences! Divernan Feb 2016 #23
Yet, her experience at State is cited as a major reason she should become POTUS. merrily Feb 2016 #47
should be another OP amborin Apr 2016 #120
l'encontre MisterP Feb 2016 #37
Jesus wept! Talk about luxury in the midst of squalor. Divernan Feb 2016 #42
and most of these companies have screwed over workers amborin Feb 2016 #117
In defense of that, they're trying to get tourists back Jarqui Feb 2016 #83
As long as tourists don't set foot outside the hotel!It's Bubble Tourism! Divernan Feb 2016 #105
Found this silenttigersong Feb 2016 #59
Wow! Sure love to hear the DU African American group members thoughts on this! Divernan Feb 2016 #61
I doubt they care. malokvale77 Feb 2016 #91
Anyway we could make this go viral Nite Owl Feb 2016 #97
Whoa. Thanks for that one. Cheese Sandwich Feb 2016 #101
"We are telling the world of the crimes that Bill and Hillary Clinton are responsible for in Haiti, Laughing Mirror Feb 2016 #108
Yes, and the Republicans are holding their fire on this until Hillary gets the nomination jfern Feb 2016 #24
Yes- Bernie is focused on Wall St., but this is the stuff the Republicans will take her down with left lowrider Feb 2016 #25
looks like a pay to play scheme... restorefreedom Feb 2016 #26
a racket, too grasswire Feb 2016 #31
i think there might be a big shoe coming. nt restorefreedom Feb 2016 #36
IMO, the issue for a charity usually is not where the money comes from, but how it is spent. merrily Feb 2016 #28
Good point Cheese Sandwich Feb 2016 #41
I have a feeling that, if we looked at the books, we'd have lots of questions. merrily Feb 2016 #45
Might be some juicy stuff in those emails, as well. Divernan Feb 2016 #50
public policy via foundation/philanthropy/think tank is not the sign of a healthy Democratic Society Agony Feb 2016 #29
Bill got a nice chunk of change UglyGreed Feb 2016 #30
For profit colleges! Dear lord, can the Clintons azmom Feb 2016 #43
Well he did step down UglyGreed Feb 2016 #49
Clinton grifting off of for profit colleges. Of course HRC opposes free college educations. Divernan Feb 2016 #44
Well those connections UglyGreed Feb 2016 #51
The corruption is so blatant. I can't understand azmom Feb 2016 #55
Status quo UglyGreed Feb 2016 #62
Or benefiting. nt malokvale77 Feb 2016 #94
True UglyGreed Feb 2016 #115
Senator Sanders does not have this baggage. senz Feb 2016 #35
+a trillion. Dont call me Shirley Feb 2016 #60
Exactly right... TTUBatfan2008 Feb 2016 #64
K & R AzDar Feb 2016 #39
HUGE K & R !!! WillyT Feb 2016 #40
I'd like to say no one could be so stupid ... kristopher Feb 2016 #53
Because she thinks voters are that stupid. azmom Feb 2016 #56
Yep, that covers it. 99Forever Feb 2016 #54
No, it's a charity. n/t OhZone Feb 2016 #57
Charity for the Haves Laughing Mirror Feb 2016 #109
Not only yes, but he'll yes onecaliberal Feb 2016 #58
I wonder how many criticizing the Foundation have done anything near as meaningful to the world. Hoyt Feb 2016 #63
How about Marty McGraw Feb 2016 #74
I'd wager the Foundation has a primary directive... MrMickeysMom Feb 2016 #111
I'd wager that you know nothing of the Foundation, here take a look. Hoyt Feb 2016 #114
Remind me to include you in a focus group to sell electric dog polishers, Hoyt... MrMickeysMom Feb 2016 #118
Yes, glad to see some are awakening to the fact that the Clinton's SamKnause Feb 2016 #65
They Are Not Corrupt scottie55 Feb 2016 #79
That's the plan, under the sorry-ass 'leadership' of DWS 99th_Monkey Feb 2016 #66
Very sad... geologic Feb 2016 #67
It's either EdwardBernays Feb 2016 #68
Hmmmmm, could be. I say let's find out. Get behind the facade and see what's going on. nt nc4bo Feb 2016 #69
No. It also provides really, really, really high paying jobs for cronies and daughter. nt magical thyme Feb 2016 #72
I used to think the world of them. Even Monica didn't dissuade me from believing Bill was a great DiehardLiberal Feb 2016 #75
Stranger things have happened Ferd Berfel Feb 2016 #76
Don't believe it until Jenny_92808 Feb 2016 #80
6% Still Think HRC Is Trustworthy scottie55 Feb 2016 #81
that's a big problem with her Ferd Berfel Feb 2016 #88
Are there threads here checking out the board members? noamnety Feb 2016 #85
DU Rec. SixString Feb 2016 #86
Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Feb 2016 #89
Of course it is. hifiguy Feb 2016 #92
That Foundation is a millstone Democrats don't need in the GE Dems to Win Feb 2016 #95
Yeah the Republicans could definitely draw blood with this. Cheese Sandwich Feb 2016 #98
If "IT" Walks Lie A Slush Fund And Talks Like A Slush Fund "IT" MUST Be A FUCKING SLUSH FUND! CorporatistNation Feb 2016 #102
Yes eom Arazi Feb 2016 #106
For sure. And with the invaluable assistance of millions of shareholders. raouldukelives Feb 2016 #112
The list of speakers for that event says ... GeorgeGist Feb 2016 #113

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
107. Facilitation-for-a-fee, aka The Big Grift!
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 06:10 AM
Feb 2016

Did this song from Les Miz inspire Bill's luxury hotel venture in Haiti?

Welcome, Monsieur, sit yourself down
And meet the best innkeeper in town
As for the rest, all of 'em crooks:
Rooking their guests and crooking the books
Seldom do you see
Honest men like me
A gent of good intent
Who's content to be

Master of the house, doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake and an open palm
Tells a saucy tale, makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
Glad to do a friend a favor
Doesn't cost me to be nice
But nothing gets you nothing
Everything has got a little price!


Master of the house, keeper of the zoo
Ready to relieve 'em of a sou or two
Watering the wine, making up the weight
Pickin' up their knick-knacks when they can't see straight
Everybody loves a landlord
Everybody's bosom friend
I do whatever pleases
Jesus! Won't I bleed 'em in the end!

Master of the house, quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby to pass him by
Servant to the poor, butler to the great
Comforter, philosopher, and lifelong mate!
Everybody's boon companion
Everybody's chaperone
But lock up your valises
Jesus! Won't I skin you to the bone!


 

Betty Karlson

(7,231 posts)
110. The Bushes do it too! This is how the game is played.
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 08:42 AM
Feb 2016

- This rebuttal was approved of by DWS and the rest of the coronation committee.

TTUBatfan2008

(3,623 posts)
2. The FBI is asking the same question.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 05:59 PM
Feb 2016

But our party continues to ignore these issues. Even if nothing comes of it, the GOP will campaign hard on the open investigation. It will have an impact with moderate voters who are not sure if they can trust the Clinton family.

Uncle Joe

(58,366 posts)
16. I believe it's the State Department, the FBI at this point is just investigating Hillary's e-mails.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:37 PM
Feb 2016

That is unless the FBI has expanded their investigation?



State Department investigators issued subpoena to Clinton Foundation

WASHINGTON — Investigators with the State Department issued a subpoena to the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation last fall seeking documents about charity projects that may have required approval from the federal government during Hillary Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state, according to people familiar with the subpoena and written correspondence about it.

The subpoena also asked for records related to Huma Abedin, a longtime Clinton aide who for six months in 2012 was employed simultaneously by the State Department, the foundation, Clinton’s personal office and a private consulting firm with ties to the Clintons.

The full scope and status of the inquiry, conducted by the State Department’s inspector general, were not clear from the material correspondence reviewed by The Washington Post.

A foundation representative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing inquiry, said the initial document request had been narrowed by investigators and that the foundation is not the focus of the probe.



https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/02/12/state-department-investigators-issued-subpoena-clinton-foundation/krDHz9OaiYwEHUCR0oMLjN/story.html

 

senz

(11,945 posts)
27. Interesting that it's the State Dept. Obama's State Dept., former SOS, etc.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:16 PM
Feb 2016

Must be complicated up at the top.

Uncle Joe

(58,366 posts)
34. I can't imagine President Obama not being seriously perturbed by the way
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:23 PM
Feb 2016

Hillary created her own private server out from under direct Presidential supervision, basically running a shadow government at State with so many Clinton Foundation entanglements.

I don't care what anyone says, Hillary did not serve the President well.

 

senz

(11,945 posts)
38. She serves herself
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:27 PM
Feb 2016

and if, God forbid, she is elected president, she will continue to do what she has always done. I doubt that it even occurs to her to do anything else.

Skwmom

(12,685 posts)
48. This will seriously taint his legacy. I'm stunned that he wants her to follow him. The
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:43 PM
Feb 2016

history books will not be kind.... Plus the undercurrent of how they feel about Obama...........

hopemountain

(3,919 posts)
70. agreed. his trust was her smokescreen
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:17 PM
Feb 2016

and therefore: she used him to carry her bags. disgusting. i dislike and distrust her more every day the thick veneer of her role in deceiving the american people is peeled back and the clinton's ugly intent is revealed.

Dustlawyer

(10,495 posts)
77. The Repugs will be asking what I am asking, where are the transcripts for the speeches to
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:43 PM
Feb 2016

Wall Street speech transcripts? She can never produce them because we know they are really bad for her, selling us out! Pound out that demand over and over!

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)
71. speaking of Haiti, he was part of a fundraiser that garnered 2m$ then demanded
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:29 PM
Feb 2016

500K$ as his pay. quite a haul to appear at a fundraising dinner. 1/4 of the amount raised went to him.

amborin

(16,631 posts)
84. $8 million in travel expenses for 2013, as one example
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:59 PM
Feb 2016
Travel expenses for the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation for last year totaled more than $8 million, a greater amount than the nonprofit reported in previous years, according to Internal Revenue Service filings.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/clinton-foundation-travel-expenses-113053#ixzz40C4umy5y

Skwmom

(12,685 posts)
4. Setting up charities in other countries, bundling the money and then transferring it to the Clinton
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:00 PM
Feb 2016

Foundation so that the contributors can remain hidden begs the question - Why?

amborin

(16,631 posts)
33. Charity Navigator:
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:22 PM
Feb 2016
Charity Navigator put the Clinton Foundation on its “watch list,” but not because of concerns about insufficient funds going toward charity. Mainly, it was put on the watch list due to questions raised in the media about foreign donations to the foundation and the potential for quid pro quo when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state.


that said, only 9% goes to charity.

but supposedly the foundation itself does charity work.....weasel words....and wriggle room.....really difficult to assess....

PatrickforO

(14,577 posts)
73. So...basically 91% of the money donated to the Clinton Foundation goes to
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:32 PM
Feb 2016

what? Perpetuate the Foundation?

It's like donating $100 to feed hungry people and then having only $9 spent for that. Seems a little....

shady.

amborin

(16,631 posts)
82. it is very shady; the cf defends itself by saying that, rather than
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:56 PM
Feb 2016

donating $$ to some cause in the form of, say, a grant, the cf does the charity work itself; this makes it almost
impossible to assess how much actual charity work gets done and, to wit, charity nav says they can't figure it out.

the cf members take lavish trips, hold conferences, etc...all very 1% type activities and lodging, etc......

 

JackRiddler

(24,979 posts)
87. Actually, that's normal operation of rich people foundations...
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 09:08 PM
Feb 2016

They are alternative vehicles for hoarding and deploying wealth. That's why it's so funny when you read bullshit like "Bill Gates gave away his fortune." No, he converted a section of it into a foundation form. The action is all in the endowment, which is invested for growth at a lower tax rate, and without limits (no problem buying stock in defense contractors, say - it's charity!). Some part of the annual income is then "given away" as "charity," except this can be very broadly defined. In the case of Gates Foundation, it has meant, among other things, a) financing the destruction of public schools and teachers unions in the United States, and b) financing pharmaceutical experiments in Africa. Basically, whatever the social vision is of the robber-baron who founded it can be expressed through these vehicles and they get universally praised for it as wonderful heroic giving people.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
104. What's Latin for "Grifting well is the best revenge"?
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 05:10 AM
Feb 2016

Cause that motto could go on Bill's coat of arms.

So what if he was impeached for lying under oath? He's laughing all the way to the HSBC bank.

Fawke Em

(11,366 posts)
14. Or the FBI is.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:23 PM
Feb 2016
A new report reveals that State Department investigators issued a subpoena to the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation sometime last year. Investigators are looking for foundation projects that may have also needed approval from the federal government during Hillary Clinton’s term as secretary of state, according to the Washington Post.

The subpoena also asked to see records related to Huma Abedin, Hillary’s longtime aide, who for a short time worked for both the State Department and the foundation. A foundation representative told the Washington Post that they are not the focus of the probe. The State Department’s Inspector General office declined to speak about their investigation or the subpoena.


http://lawnewz.com/politics/bad-legal-news-for-hillary-feds-subpoena-clinton-foundation-documents/

redstateblues

(10,565 posts)
10. Do you realize how much good people like Bill and Melida Gates do with their money?
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:06 PM
Feb 2016

They spend their days trying to figure out ways to give their money away. I'm guessing you are helping support some worthy charities.

jeff47

(26,549 posts)
15. Sure! Like destroying our K-12 educational system!
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:31 PM
Feb 2016

Charter schools and constant testing are great, and I'm so happy they poured money into making these things a reality!!!

Octafish

(55,745 posts)
13. It's more than that. Money is POWER.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:14 PM
Feb 2016

If We Democrats want to play in the Big Leagues, we need beaucoup bucks.

Like the late Antonin Scalia said, "Money is speech."

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
18. Those $$$ spent to build infrastructure for corporations to exploit cheap labor.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:39 PM
Feb 2016
Haiti's 2010 earthquake/floods/mudslides are a prime example: The 7.0-magnitude earthquake killed about 316,000 people and affected about 3 million of Haiti's 9 million residents, according to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). - hundreds of thousands homeless from mudslides. The Clinton Foundation brokered (for a fee) a deal for a $45 million luxury hotel to provide (2 years down the road) 173 new rooms. That is $260,115.60 per room! What percent of that $45 million did slick Willie grift off the top of that for "facilitating"?

Billy Boy brokers construction of a luxury hotel for corporate bigwigs/"potential investors" who visit to learn how they can exploit dirt cheap labor if they build/lease in the corporate "park" Bill also "facilitates".

Two years after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake leveled Haiti's capital, a deal brokered by former President Bill Clinton's charitable foundation will add new lodging for aid workers and other travelers to Port-au-Prince -- in the form of a $45 million hotel.

Caribbean cell phone provider Digicel will own the hotel, which will have 173 new rooms and create 175 new jobs. Marriott Hotels and Resorts will operate the hotel upon completion in 2014. Construction is set to begin in 2012.

Clinton praised the project for creating jobs and attracting visitors in a statement from the William J. Clinton Foundation. "My foundation has worked with both Marriott and Digicel, and encouraged them to form this partnership," the president said.

The Clinton Foundation "visited proposed construction sites with the parties and facilitated introductions to the Haitian government and the Haitian Tourism Association," according to Digicel and Marriott.

Digicel claims to be Haiti's largest private investor and cell phone provider and touts its charitable contributions to the Clinton Global Initiative.


Then check out the industrial park where Clinton's corporate buddies are ripping off local workers:

Clintons' Pet Project for Privatized 'Aid' to Haiti Stealing Workers' Wages (headline)
'This calls into question the sustainability and effectiveness of relying on the garment industry to lead Haiti's reconstruction' (subheadline)
Haiti's Caracol Industrial Park—the U.S. State Department and Clinton Foundation pet project to deliver aid and reconstruction to earthquake-ravaged Haiti in the form of private investment—is systematically stealing its garment workers' wages, paying them 34 percent less than minimum wage set by federal law, a breaking report from the Worker Rights Consortium reveals.

Critics charge that poverty wages illustrate the deep flaws with corporate models of so-called aid. "The failure of the Caracol Industrial Park to comply with minimum wage laws is a stain on the U.S.'s post-earthquake investments in Haiti and calls into question the sustainability and effectiveness of relying on the garment industry to lead Haiti's reconstruction," said Jake Johnston of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in an interview with Common Dreams.

Caracol is just one of five garment factories profiled in this damning report, released publicly on Wednesday, which finds that "the majority of Haitian garment workers are being denied nearly a third of the wages they are legally due as a result of the factories’ theft of their income." This is due to systematic employer cheating on piece-work and overtime, as well as failure to pay employees for hours worked.

WRC charges that the wage theft at these 5 factories is "typical" across the country's garment industry, leading to the suppression of national wages at deep poverty levels. As a result, workers have trouble affording food, shelter, and medical care, the report finds.



Of course the infrastructure projects were built in areas of the island undamaged by the earthquake/floods/landslides.

Awww, but what about those heart-warming pictures of Bill & Chelsea with little girls at a school in some 3rd world African pocket of poverty? Well, see, now those girls will have enough basic education to be literate enough to be the work force for said corporations. Put up a basic health clinic to innoculate them against disease and then teach em birth control so they won't stop working because they're pregnant. Gotta have a dependable source of slave-labor.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/28/world/americas/haiti-hotel-clinton/index.html

There's tons more scandals in Haiti - I'm just giving you the tip of the iceberg here. And that is only ONE of the countries Bill is exploiting under the pretense of philanthropy.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
20. Heckuva job, Clinton Foundation!
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 06:48 PM
Feb 2016

It's just SUPER that you "facilitated" a luxury Marriott Hotel with 173 rooms for $45 million (do the math - that's $260,000 per room) to house visiting corporate exploiters. Don't you worry about those hundreds of thousands of Haitians still living in slums with no electricity, sanitation or running water! And then there were those millions spent developing 5 industrial parks for corporate investors.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/haiti-earthquake-homelessness_n_6456362.html


According to a new report by Amnesty International, there are 85,432 people in Haiti (comprising 22,741 households) who remain homeless because of the 2010 earthquake. As the report explains, the natural disaster exposed the dire state of housing in Haiti, where a large portion of people had lived in substandard homes that were built by residents using inadequate materials and poor construction techniques.

"Five years ago, the eyes of the world were on Haiti after the devastating earthquake tore lives apart and left more than 2 million people homeless," Chiara Liguori, Caribbean researcher at Amnesty International, said. "Sadly, since then, the world’s interest has waned while tens of thousands of people remain destitute and homeless."

Although the number of people living in displacement camps has dropped over 90 percent since July 2010, the majority of those who left are still not living in durable housing, the report notes -- many have moved back into unsafe structures or began construction on their own homes without expert assistance.

As NBC News reported, at least 200,000 people reside in slums known as Canaan-Jerusalem, where there's no electricity, running water or sanitation system in place.

The situation -- which could "[recreate] and [intensify] the pre-earthquake housing crisis" if another disaster strikes -- doesn't hold up to the Haitian government's "build back better" slogan often touted by aid organizations in the months following the earthquake.

The dire situation has left some questioning where the billions of dollars for aid relief has gone and if it has been spent effectively, according to NBC News. The outlet reported that the United Nations has recorded about $13.34 billion in donated funds for Haiti reconstruction through 2020.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
23. SOS Clinton - act in haste, don't worry about the consequences!
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:02 PM
Feb 2016

Excellent report from Al-Jazeera America (RIP):

Sae-A — a company well-known to Ban since his days as South Korea’s minister of foreign affairs and trade — had already been looking to open factories in Haiti, whose low wages and largely union-free shops fit with its model in low- and middle-income countries such as China, Guatemala and Vietnam. After the tragedy, with donors more willing to provide funding than before, then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton brokered an agreement between Sae-A and the Haitian government to move forward on a deal. It came down to a division of labor: The U.S. would build the power plant, port and housing. The Inter-American Development Bank would finance buildings and infrastructure. The Koreans supplied the managers and some investment of its own; Haiti would secure land and workers.

The 366 farmers who gave up their land were given settlements averaging about $3,200 each. The workers would come even cheaper. Factories in Haiti now pay a minimum of $4.56 a day — an amount that would require working 29 days a month just to buy enough food, and nothing else, for a typical Haitian household, according to a 2009 USAID study. (Local vendors sell lunch to the Caracol workers on credit because wages are paid only twice a month; it is a growing source of tension at the park that many workers never pay their bill.)

In fact, the question of minimum wage could be another drag on investors' interest. Under a recently enacted law, the minimum wage should now be roughly $6.85 a day for garment work. But factory owners have simply refused to pay the higher wages. A recent survey by the International Labor Organization found not a single factory in Haiti currently complying with the new law. Sae-A declined to comment on particulars, stating only that its employees "are compensated in accordance with local laws and regulations."


I'm sure HRC has told her successor at the State Department to tell those miserly corporate employers to "cut that out".

As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton committed to using our taxpayers dollars to build a power plant, port and housing ( the port is years behind in development) for Madame Secretary Clinton's corporate/One Percent friends. You wanna know where Bernie can get the money to finance his policy programs - well a good start would be to let the god damned corporate vultures/bloodsuckers pay to build their own ports/company housing/power plants in other countries.

And on edit: Wouldn't we all like to know how much money Sae-A and other corporate developers have "donated" to the Clinton Family Foundation, or any subsidiary thereof?

merrily

(45,251 posts)
47. Yet, her experience at State is cited as a major reason she should become POTUS.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:42 PM
Feb 2016


Meanwhile, MSNBC had Capehart on about the photo again and again and again and Chris Matthews grilled Devine about it relentlessly.

Sorry, I have to run. I think I saw a squirrel over there.

Jarqui

(10,126 posts)
83. In defense of that, they're trying to get tourists back
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:56 PM
Feb 2016

That hotel might pay for itself in tourist revenue for a few decades.

I state that expecting that Haiti must have a stake in it with the charity contributions .... - if that's not true then carry on and blast them

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
105. As long as tourists don't set foot outside the hotel!It's Bubble Tourism!
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 05:31 AM
Feb 2016

What exactly are Haiti's tourist attractions? Beaches with homeless people sleeping rough? Guided day trips (including armed guards) to a slum where 200,000 people live without water, sanitation or electricity? "Everyone got their hip boots and face masks on? Stick together now."


Vaccines up to date?
Typical travel immunizations recommendations for all people traveling Haiti include:

Hepatitis A– this nasty viral infection of the liver is often spread thru food or water. This is strongly recommended for anyone traveling to Haiti. Full immunity requires 2 vaccines 6 months apart. Don’t worry if you don’t have time to get both doses prior to travel, 90% of people are protected with the first vaccine.
Typhoid- is also spread through food and water. You know you don’t want high fevers, belly pain, and diarrhea so get protected.
Tdap– This is the tetanus shot with whooping cough built in. Now you are protected if you get a cut or scrape as well as from whooping cough.
Influenza
Malaria vaccine– It isn’t available (yet). I included it as I get asked about this all the time. You will need to discuss malaria prevention with both medication and mosquito bite avoidance with your travel medicine specialist.
Hepatitis B – you will want protection from this viral infection of the liver. It is spread through contact with body fluids; if you cut yourself and need stitches or need any other medical care you could be exposed. If you will be working in health care, returning to Haiti multiple times or travel internationally frequently you should seriously consider protecting yourself against Hepatitis B. It requires 3 doses of vaccine over 6 months. The other ways of contracting Hepatitis B should be avoided while traveling: tattoos, piercing, and new sexual partners.
Rabies-Animal bites are serious business, often requiring evacuation for proper care. If it is within your budget and you will be staying a long time or visiting often, protection with vaccination is advised. Many people choose instead to learn how to provide first aide for a bite and purchase travel health insurance to cover evacuation for treatment with vaccine and HRIG.
Vaccines are only the tip of the iceberg when preparing to travel to Haiti. You will need to prevent Malaria, Dengue, Cholera, and traveler’s diarrhea. The medical system in Haiti is overburdened and was severely impacted by the recent earthquake. You will want to make plans to receive any needed medical elsewhere. A future post will address these issues.


http://travelreadymd.com/which-travel-immunizations-do-you-need-for-haiti/

Look at the photos of this elegant, luxurious hotel, built courtesy of "facilitation-for-a-fee" by the Clinton Foundation. As long as you stay inside, you're safe. Guess you'd call this "Bubble Tourism". http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147307-d7592296-Reviews-Marriott_Port_au_Prince_Hotel-Port_au_Prince_Ouest_Department_Haiti.html



"Five years ago, the eyes of the world were on Haiti after the devastating earthquake tore lives apart and left more than 2 million people homeless," Chiara Liguori, Caribbean researcher at Amnesty International, said. "Sadly, since then, the world’s interest has waned while tens of thousands of people remain destitute and homeless."

Although the number of people living in displacement camps has dropped over 90 percent since July 2010, the majority of those who left are still not living in durable housing, the report notes -- many have moved back into unsafe structures or began construction on their own homes without expert assistance.

As NBC News reported, at least 200,000 people reside in slums known as Canaan-Jerusalem, where there's no electricity, running water or sanitation system in place.


“Nicer Than Some Stateside Marriotts”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 7, 2016

Honestly, It is hard to travel the streets of Port au Prince from the airport to the hotel and not feel horrible about the conditions of the city compared to this hotel. I felt like I was in a completely different country after I stepped into the lobby.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147307-d7592296-Reviews-Marriott_Port_au_Prince_Hotel-Port_au_Prince_Ouest_Department_Haiti.html

malokvale77

(4,879 posts)
91. I doubt they care.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 09:48 PM
Feb 2016

As long as it doesn't involve a DU Sanders supporter explaining why he is the better candidate, it's all peachy.

Nite Owl

(11,303 posts)
97. Anyway we could make this go viral
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 10:03 PM
Feb 2016

now, before the General? I have no idea how to do it but some of the techies on DU must know how.

Laughing Mirror

(4,185 posts)
108. "We are telling the world of the crimes that Bill and Hillary Clinton are responsible for in Haiti,
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 07:55 AM
Feb 2016

and we are telling the American people that the 32,000 emails that Hillary Clinton said she deleted have evidence of the crimes they have committed."

Can't get any clearer than that.

Thanks for this, silenttiger.

jfern

(5,204 posts)
24. Yes, and the Republicans are holding their fire on this until Hillary gets the nomination
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:04 PM
Feb 2016

Don't try to claim you weren't warned when she gets destroyed with this in the general election.

 

left lowrider

(97 posts)
25. Yes- Bernie is focused on Wall St., but this is the stuff the Republicans will take her down with
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:10 PM
Feb 2016

I wish he would attack to get it our of the way, but he'd have to have the media on his side and he doesn't.

The repubs are going to have full media support and they can afford to dig all of this up.

restorefreedom

(12,655 posts)
26. looks like a pay to play scheme...
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:15 PM
Feb 2016

in other words, criminal corruption. but that is only my opinion until the fbi/doj. brings forth evidence from their investigations


merrily

(45,251 posts)
28. IMO, the issue for a charity usually is not where the money comes from, but how it is spent.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:17 PM
Feb 2016

Sources of big bucks for charities are likeliest to be rich people and large businesses, especially a charity run by a former President.

However, when a charity reports $10 million from foreign governments as zero dollars and the wife of the head of the charity is Secretary of State, that raises large questions. That is not "Oops. I added wrong."

 

Cheese Sandwich

(9,086 posts)
41. Good point
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:33 PM
Feb 2016

It's how the money is spent that matters too.

It raises so many questions. The Haiti thing is troubling, somebody posted info in the thread.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
45. I have a feeling that, if we looked at the books, we'd have lots of questions.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:39 PM
Feb 2016

D.C. is just so used to crap because Congress defines corruption so narrowly, for obvious reasons. Someone practically has to have a videotape of a lawmaker saying, "I understand that, by accepting this (trip, money, home, etc.), that I am agreeing to change my vote on X bill from nay to aye."

Great system: We do something at the voting booth that may or may not get counted correctly. If it does get counted correctly, lobbyists can undo it because our lawmakers made sure they could.

Agony

(2,605 posts)
29. public policy via foundation/philanthropy/think tank is not the sign of a healthy Democratic Society
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:19 PM
Feb 2016

throw in some corruption and you have a Cluster Fuck

I would call it a Cluster Fuck in Clintonville

UglyGreed

(7,661 posts)
51. Well those connections
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:47 PM
Feb 2016

has no bearing on her stance on free public college, besides rich people will take advantage of such college opportunities. We can't have rich people take advantage of the people now can we?

azmom

(5,208 posts)
55. The corruption is so blatant. I can't understand
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:51 PM
Feb 2016

People having all this information, yet still sticking with her. I really don't.

TTUBatfan2008

(3,623 posts)
64. Exactly right...
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:07 PM
Feb 2016

The public at large is fed up with the corruption in both parties. Bernie is offering a better way that will give the people a real seat at the table for major policy decisions.

Bernie's honesty and truth-telling about the corruption would set up a stark contrast with a Republican Party owned 100% by corporations and billionaires. People of all political beliefs want to see more honesty and less corruption.

kristopher

(29,798 posts)
53. I'd like to say no one could be so stupid ...
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 07:48 PM
Feb 2016

...as to do this and then run for president, but then I'd have to ignore the Goldman Sachs (et al) speaking fees.

Laughing Mirror

(4,185 posts)
109. Charity for the Haves
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 08:19 AM
Feb 2016

Crumbs for the Have-Nots.

But the Clintons’ image in Haiti has slipped in recent months as Haitians increasingly complain that Clinton-backed projects have often helped the country’s elite and international business investors more than they have helped poor Haitians.

Defenders of the Clintons call such criticism untrue and unfair and largely pressed by the Clintons’ political enemies. They argue that Clinton-funded programs have brought millions of dollars in investment to Haiti and have created jobs for thousands of Haitians.

But news that a Clinton family member is helping the mining company attract more foreign investors has deepened ­suspicion.

“Rodham is an independent guy, but this is tricky; it’s not a good sign for him to be on the board of a mining company here in Haiti,” said Leslie Voltaire, a former Haitian government official who worked closely with the Clintons after the earthquake. “The Clintons are seen as being in power here. You have to be very cautious that your family does not intervene in business here.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/role-of-hillary-clintons-brother-in-haiti-gold-mine-raises-eyebrows/2015/03/20/c8b6e3bc-cc05-11e4-a2a7-9517a3a70506_story.html

Tony Rodham, Hillary's brother, once a prison guard, a private detective, a repo man, now with a company that owns a gold mine in Haiti. It's a family affair, after all.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
63. I wonder how many criticizing the Foundation have done anything near as meaningful to the world.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:05 PM
Feb 2016

The Foundation focuses on improving global health and wellness, increasing opportunity for women and girls, reducing childhood obesity and preventable diseases, creating economic opportunity and growth, and helping communities address the effects of climate change. The Foundation works principally through partnerships with like-minded individuals, organizations, corporations, and governments, often serving as an incubator for new policies and programs.

Marty McGraw

(1,024 posts)
74. How about
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:36 PM
Feb 2016

Not playing the part of the total corruption that has aided in producing the rancid environment that gave birth to these issues in the first place. The foundation is paying out pennies in comparison.

It's very much like turning down preventative medical care in order to wait and pay magnitudes more to Fix. Everything we do in this parasitic form of a capitalistic greed society relates to this massive wasteful way of handling situations today and more times than not is shifted away toward the 'lesser' of society to pay for.

Token gestures

MrMickeysMom

(20,453 posts)
111. I'd wager the Foundation has a primary directive...
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 08:47 AM
Feb 2016

(that is, besides the PRIMARY)

It's a self-propelling fund to fund what promises to be a long line of Clintons. The focus of "global" health you speak of is penny candy dressing and doesn't touch the real problems of the world.

It's all about the Clintons, ergo... The Clinton Foundation.

MrMickeysMom

(20,453 posts)
118. Remind me to include you in a focus group to sell electric dog polishers, Hoyt...
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 09:43 PM
Feb 2016

Nice brochure. Anyone would be proud to tote it to you as an angle investor.

 

scottie55

(1,400 posts)
79. They Are Not Corrupt
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:49 PM
Feb 2016

They are perfectly normal in a completely corrupt system.

That's all.

When it comes to pay to play, some play harder than others.

 

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)
66. That's the plan, under the sorry-ass 'leadership' of DWS
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:10 PM
Feb 2016

But there ARE a number of vice-chairs of DNC who aren't so enamored with
courting corporate largesse to sell-out the electorate.

Some of them spoke out about the abysmal debate schedule, maybe some
will speak out about this too?

or is that wishful thinking?

EdwardBernays

(3,343 posts)
68. It's either
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:14 PM
Feb 2016

A very corrupt charity, or
A very charitable cover for corruption.

The fact that they've even gone back on full financial disclosure as they agreed to do with Obama is really the last nail in the coffin of legitimacy.

DiehardLiberal

(580 posts)
75. I used to think the world of them. Even Monica didn't dissuade me from believing Bill was a great
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:36 PM
Feb 2016

President. But in retrospect I was charmed. NAFTA, Glass-Steagall repeal, then getting really chummy with the Bushes clued me in finally that all was not as it appeared.

Now I'm just sick to death of them.

Go away!

Ferd Berfel

(3,687 posts)
76. Stranger things have happened
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 08:40 PM
Feb 2016

Don't you wonder if foreign governments are funneling $$ through this too?


But move along. move along, Nothing to see here.....

ANd some people wonder why her trustworthy numbers are so freaking low?

Ferd Berfel

(3,687 posts)
88. that's a big problem with her
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 09:13 PM
Feb 2016

and crap like this (article) will sink her (as us) when the Reich starts using it in ads. She has no answer for it now and won't down the road either.


 

noamnety

(20,234 posts)
85. Are there threads here checking out the board members?
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 09:04 PM
Feb 2016

Lisa Jackson aka Richard Windsor seems like an odd choice.

"When the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free-market group, came up empty on its FOIA requests for Jackson’s e-mails relating to her anti-coal efforts, it was told by an EPA whistleblower that she was using “Richard Windsor” and other aliases to coordinate with outside anti-coal groups and engage in other activity she wouldn’t want to come to light.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/336995/e-mail-scandal-epa-john-fund

 

Dems to Win

(2,161 posts)
95. That Foundation is a millstone Democrats don't need in the GE
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 09:59 PM
Feb 2016

I don't know if it's shady, but it is very problematic. I don't want a president who is so buddy-buddy with the Saudis that they gave her personal charity 25 million bucks.

The Clintons cashed in on their public service. Millions in speaking fees and more millions for Bill from a for-profit college corporation. Now, Hillary wants our votes to be President. I say No Thanks.

The democratic leaders who've all lined up behind her, without even considering that all the millions she's received might make voters resentful and distrustful of her, are so tone deaf and detached from the struggles of ordinary Americans that it's astounding.

 

Cheese Sandwich

(9,086 posts)
98. Yeah the Republicans could definitely draw blood with this.
Sun Feb 14, 2016, 10:38 PM
Feb 2016

Especially if it's Trump or Cruz, but really no matter who it is.

raouldukelives

(5,178 posts)
112. For sure. And with the invaluable assistance of millions of shareholders.
Mon Feb 15, 2016, 10:18 AM
Feb 2016

We will continue to live under the most progress they cannot personally fund the opposition of.

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