Here's how Bernie Sanders made his millions -- and why it matters in the 2020 election

[Vidal]

Very good article in CNBC this morning:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/24/where-bernie-sanders-money-comes-from.html

The independent senator from Vermont has enjoyed a recent windfall driven by book deals. In both 2016 and 2017, Sanders and his wife, Jane, had adjusted gross income of about $1.1 million, according to tax returns his 2020 presidential campaign released last month. The couple followed it up with about $560,000 in income last year. The totals mark a stark increase from 2015, when they made roughly $240,000.

The tax returns raised questions about whether Sanders' newfound wealth conflicts with his message. The senator, who wants to hike taxes on the wealthy to build up social programs such as "Medicare for All" and tuition-free public college, says his fatter wallet will not affect his plans. During a CNN town hall last month, Sanders responded to questions about his wealth by saying, "I plead guilty to have written a book which was an international best-seller."

"But I think your question should ask, well, now that you wrote a book, you made money, is that going to mean that you change your policies?" Sanders continued during the event. "Well, you're looking at somebody who not only voted against Trump's disastrous tax plan — 83 percent of the benefits going to the top 1% — but I have and will continue in this campaign to fight for progressive taxation."

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. Here's why it DOESN'T matter in the 2020 election... President Sanders.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[RandiFan1290]

2. Recycling the right wing attack on Barack Obama

for writing 'Dreams From My Father'

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. Yup, it just gets old, these silly attacks on Bernie. But I don't mind so much...

it just shows they're scared Bernie's winning... so long as they stop once Bernie gets the Democratic nomination.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. Unless he changes his policy proposals

more power to them for using their assets (eg, intellect, experience) to boost their income.

I wish anyone would buy a book that I would write!

[left-of-center2012]

5. Gasp !

[Hoyt]

6. Not a Sanders supporter in primaries, but I have no problem with him making money on books

about his proposals. Some very wealthy people have made good presidents, congresspeople, etc.

Withholding his tax returns was not a smart move, but that has been rectified.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

9. Glad to hear your okay with Bernie making money. But, just to correct the record...

Bernie did NOT withhold his tax returns.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Hoyt]

10. Oh, you subscribe to the "his wife had to get the records together" crud.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

11. No, I subscribe to Bernie wanting to put out 10 years of his tax returns all at once...

and waiting to do so until his 2018 return was ready to file.

Maybe, it would make more sense to take issue with all those who subscribed to the "what's he trying to hide?" crud, as you call it, who never came back to "eat crow" after having made that false accusation.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Hoyt]

12. Sorry, I don't buy it. It's a minor thing now, though. His America First, support of tariffs,

opposition to trade agreements, criticism of Obama and Democrats in general, backing a much needed overhaul of our health system with slight-of-hand financial calculations, etc., aren't minor IMO. . . . . . and, of course, it's hard to forget a significant percentage of his supporters helping to give us trump in the general election.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

13. Yeah, I don't buy it either... so, that makes two of us!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[George II]

15. Yes he did.

[George II]

16. The biggest customers for his books have been his own campaign and the promoters....

....of his speaking tour a few months ago.

[Hoyt]

17. I do remember reading that. I guess funneling campaign contributions into book sales ain't

exactly right, if that is what happened. Good point.

[George II]

21. Sitting Senators are prohibited from receiving speaking fees.

[BeyondGeography]

7. Utterly pointless article

Unless you see merit in the stupid Republican frame on the supposed hypocrisy about good Democrats who make good money and advocate policies for bettering society that would cost them a few bucks.

[SouthernProgressive]

14. It doesn't matter in the 2020 election.

It plays no role in Sanders race to the bottom. As a newfound member of the one percent it might slightly change his perspective on things but not by much. He will remain on the right side of the taxation argument.

As for the election and Sanders standing, it really doesn’t matter. Most Democrats already recognized him as a career politician. Not a biggie.

[Gothmog]

18. Good article

[aidbo]

19. I read the article, but I did not see "why it matters in the 2020 election"

maybe try posting that racist one from Politico?

[Politicub]

20. Why is this even a thing?

The writer says, "The tax returns raised questions about whether Sanders' newfound wealth conflicts with his message."

The only people where this raises a question are those who want to use Sanders' success to bash him. It's a weird attack, and I don't think it works as people are intending.

Sanders has never said everyone need take a vow of poverty. If anything, he speaks of making the middle class more prosperous. And, shocker, some of that prosperity could put more people on equal footing as affluent people; this could give more would-be authors time and space to write a book if they so choose because they're not worrying about working two minimum wage jobs to make ends meet.