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William769

(55,047 posts)
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 06:58 PM Jun 2014

Some perspective on Hillary's money **Hillary Clinton Group**

There's a great story about Democratic icon Ted Kennedy. When he was first running to succeed his brother John in the Senate, he was attacked for being a child of privilege. It was true. Kennedy had nannies and nursemaids and private schools. He'd hobnobbed with ambassadors and princes and popes.

So the story -- perhaps not even true, but what the heck -- is that young Teddy was campaigning outside a factory in the predawn chill. As he shook hands with the working men, one stopped him and said, "So you're young Kennedy? They say you haven't worked a day in your life." To which Kennedy shrugged and answered, "I suppose that's true." And the man replied, "You ain't missed a thing."

Democrats have a tradition of electing aristocratic populists. Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy were patricians. And one of the senior Democrats in the Senate today is as rich as a Rockefeller. His name is Jay Rockefeller. Since 1977, first as governor of West Virginia, then senator, he has been elected and re-elected by the coal miners and farm families of West Virginia.

So the current hyperventilation over Hillary Clinton's comments about her relative wealth and her lucrative book and speaking deals misses the point. Voters want to know what's in her heart and what's on her mind, not what's in her wallet.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/24/opinion/begala-hillary-clinton/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

SNIP

There's no doubt that this is a populist moment. Americans worry about the collapse of the American Dream and the shrinking of the middle class. If Clinton runs on an agenda of empowering working people -- with an increase in the minimum wage, equal pay for women, student debt relief, increased availability of child care, prekindergarten, and an end to tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas -- few voters will care how fat her bank account is.
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Some perspective on Hillary's money **Hillary Clinton Group** (Original Post) William769 Jun 2014 OP
I know....had one of "them" in all sorts of ruffled feathers when I mentioned just how privileged VanillaRhapsody Jun 2014 #1
Good on you. William769 Jun 2014 #2
Exactly....and actions speak louder than words... VanillaRhapsody Jun 2014 #3
Bill and Hillary have worked hard for their net worth. They are popular and their speeches are Thinkingabout Jun 2014 #4
 

VanillaRhapsody

(21,115 posts)
1. I know....had one of "them" in all sorts of ruffled feathers when I mentioned just how privileged
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 07:12 PM
Jun 2014

FDR was....

They seemed to think he was never "enjoyed" being wealthy....they seemed to think he wasn't hobnobbing with the elite at all...They seemed to say that because Chelsea Clinton has always been wealthy she can never ever sympathize with those who do not have her privilege.....and then I pointed out just HOW RICH FDR was and lived...

William769

(55,047 posts)
2. Good on you.
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 07:15 PM
Jun 2014

I have no problem with a person's amount of wealth (I never have and never will). If I believe that person is fighting for me and they have the money to do that? More power to them.

 

VanillaRhapsody

(21,115 posts)
3. Exactly....and actions speak louder than words...
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 07:18 PM
Jun 2014

the funny part to me was the picture I provided of FDR with his top hat and cigar looking like the logo on the Monopoly box and Mamie at his side in her fox furs!

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
4. Bill and Hillary have worked hard for their net worth. They are popular and their speeches are
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 07:42 PM
Jun 2014

in demand. I don't have a problem with their ability to earn money. I am not sure everyone realizes not everyone else is obsessed with money, sure we like to have enough to survive but my family and friends are much more important. I'm not rich money wise by any means but with my family and friends I consider myself very wealthy and happy.

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