The Sanders Institute, Bernie's think tank has stopped accepting donations.

[backabby-blue]

Jane Sanders, who also serves as a chief adviser to her husband’s presidential campaign, is not compensated for her role at the institute. Her son, David Driscoll, is a paid $100,000 a year as co-founder and executive director. Driscoll previously worked for a Vermont snowboarding firm and had no previous nonprofit experience, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The lack of transparency and the family ties has drawn criticism from good-government advocates.

“For a politician who runs on fairness and socialist principals, this looks like the old political games,” said Lawrence R. Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. “It’s a product of running a political operation in which family rules the roost.”


https://apnews.com/9e4794da89ab448399f3ff1457464d1b?utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP_Politics

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Wish I could say I was surprised

[forklift]

2. Nepotism

Indubitably, people will draw parallels .......

[Amimnoch]

7. Already am. More than a few. -nt.

[Cha]

3. "The lack of transparency and the family ties has drawn criticism from good-government advocates."

yeah, I would think so.

[stonecutter357]

53. Add this to his violent fall with stitches and no tax returns should end his Bid for the Whitehouse.

[Maru Kitteh]

4. Huh. Wonder what his taxes could further illuminate on this subject too.

TAXES Bernie. TAXES.

Oh, and - Jesus fucking Christ! Jane was paying her son 100K salary? IVANKA ANYONE?

[Blue_true]

9. Why not pay him $100,000. The gravy train was rolling.

My guess is donations dropped off, so the gravy train got bogged down. Her son will likely join the campaign in a cushy spot, as long as that lasts.

[greymattermom]

5. There's something "off" about Bernie

I don't know what it is, but the tax thing is a deal breaker for me.

[Maru Kitteh]

6. Paying his clearly unqualified step-son 100K salary is really "off." Bodes poorly for decisions

he would make, if he ever had the chance.

[NurseJackie]

64. Indeed. He was TOTALLY unqualified...

Paying his clearly unqualified step-son 100K salary is really "off."

Indeed. He was TOTALLY unqualified, and I've had all the nepotism that I can stand for one lifetime.

Bodes poorly for decisions he would make, if he ever had the chance.

Agreed! We can find clues regarding the type of leader someone will be by examining their recent decisions.

Another recent decision that troubles me is the decision to not release his full tax returns. Something tells me that someone has made a deliberate decision to NOT release them. Someone on the campaign (or maybe the candidate) has weighed the pros-and-cons... calculated the pluses-and-minuses... and determined that the "fallout" from not releasing the tax returns is more acceptable than the "fallout" of going ahead and releasing them.

All I'm saying is that HONESTY and TRANSPARENCY is important to me. It's also important to me that the next POTUS be able to make wise decisions about his (or her) cabinet and other appointments.

It's perfectly reasonable for people to consider the fact that if a candidate hasn't shown thoughtful foresight in the past, then why should I believe they'll be capable of doing it in the future?

[Lazy Daisy]

8. I wonder

If the same people who have a problem with Bernie having "fuzzy" lines with family will have the same with Biden?
Somehow I don't think so.

[backabby-blue]

10. Bernie made himself out to be the PURE one though.... nt

[Lazy Daisy]

11. No he hasn't

That's your biased opinion.

So by your statement you'd accept that behavior from ANYBODY else, just not Bernie. Gotcha.

[backabby-blue]

12. Oh yes he has. nt

[backabby-blue]

13. You are the one that accepts this behavior.

Sanders Institute was a sham non-profit that employed relatives and worked only to promote Bernie's political career.

[comradebillyboy]

58. Indeed it was...

[betsuni]

20. His brand is based on being seen as the only one not corrupted by money.

He always talks about how Democrats are beholden to corporate donors, Wall Street, Big Banks, Pharma, the wealthy elite. That he is the only honest, authentic and consistent one.

Here is the message he is sending: The majority of Americans agree with Bernie, who has introduced progressive ideas to Democrats for the first time. What was radical is now mainstream. But billionaires have bribed Democrats and they are terrified and doing everything they can to stop progressive ideas.

This message is very clear, all you have to do is listen to him.

[Lazy Daisy]

21. Thank you

For a clear, non combative response. So here's mine

Yes, Bernie's msg is along those lines.

I would argue that he's NOT saying he's introduced these progressive ideas for the first time moreso that he's been pushing these ideas for a long time. I have seen him give credit where credit is due. In the beginning of the last primaries he credited Hillary's healthcare policies during her husbands Presidency. They did work together back then on healthcare.

I would also argue he's NOT saying Democrats have been corrupted, but that Government has been corrupted. That lobbyist have tainted governance for the average American. I don't think anybody can disagree with that. Is there any Democrat that doesn't want to see Citizens United overturned? Is there any Democrat that doesn't want big moneyed lobbyist reigned in? I love that Elizabeth Warren has set the bar for funding campaigns with small donors.

And for the last argument of this post.....I think most Americans do agree with many of his policy stances. Healthcare, wages, education, etc. Even red states are coming around to seeing how we've (American public) has been getting screwed for a long time and it's about time the pendulum swing back our way

[MrsCoffee]

25. You could argue he's not saying that.

But words mean things. His quotes have been posted repeatedly. His whole brand is based on attacking the Democratic Party. He doesn’t like the party and wants everyone to know it. When someone shows you who they really are, believe them.

It takes a great deal of cognitive dissonance to pretend he hasn’t spent an extraordinary amount of time attacking the Democratic Party.

“Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.”

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

27. It's the "Bernie Standard"... every other candidate gets a free pass.

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

[ehrnst]

51. Yes, he has. (nt)

[WeekiWater]

18. What did Biden do to funnel cash to unqualified family members?

No snark. I haven’t heard of it.

[bkelly]

24. I googled your question

First link is to the dailymail and they cite Breitbart as the paper of record. It relates to Hunter Biden flying to China with Joe Biden on official business and brokering a private deal while there. The second link is the WSJ which seems to confirm it among other things and relies on a book by Peter Schweizer. I don't know how credible it is overall. He's a conservative author so my initial reaction is not that credible.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

28. But, that wasn't Bernie... he's not a Democrat... except that he is.

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

[betsuni]

30. How?

[WeekiWater]

31. I'm not sure I take the time-line in the book "Clinton Cash"

At face value.

[emulatorloo]

32. Well said

[sheshe2]

34. +1

[ehrnst]

50. Indeed... (nt)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

26. There's a whole different unfair standard that applies only to Bernie...dontcha know?!

Oh, and don't forget... where are Bernie's tax returns?! What's he hiding?? (Waiting for the bashing to start... shouldn't take long.)


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

[betsuni]

29. Poor Bernie, unfairly held to standards every Democrat is held to!

[George II]

37. And Federal tax laws, too.

[George II]

36. It's a 501c3 organization. There is no double standard whatsoever....

If you think there's a double standard why don't you specifically say what it is?

[sheshe2]

52. Really?

You do remember Hillary Clinton, correct?

[George II]

35. What are you talking about?

[NurseJackie]

14. Not surprised.

I'll watch this with great interest.

PS: WHERE ARE THE FULL TAX RETURNS FROM THE PAST TEN YEARS? TICK TOCK.

[Cha]

15. So where are his Tax Returns?

[backabby-blue]

16. He's not very transparent is he?

Stunning hypocrisy from his 2016 rhetoric. Grifters gonna grift.

[Cha]

17. No, he is not. He's been stalling

for a long time now.

[ehrnst]

39. SHHH!!!!!

There are many feels about the UNFAIRNESS of that sort of comment.

[Cha]

41. Called Vetting for Transparency!

And, No fucking surprises.

[ehrnst]

43. HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST SUCH A THING!

[Cha]

45. that's me and those who insist..

Daredevils!

[ehrnst]

46. Can't a white, elderly, straight cis male get a BREAK

in politics?

Someday, perhaps we'll even have one as a POTUS.

LET UP, WILL YOU???

[Cha]

48. Rofl.. now you're just

making stuff UP!

[ehrnst]

49. ....

The thing is, I know that I am.... unlike others.

[betsuni]

19. Shouldn't have said that other squeaky clean foundations were corrupt.

Yesterday I saw a video titled "How Political Dynasties are Ruining America." I knew what was coming just by looking at the guy narrating the video. Didn't turn on the sound, waited for what I knew was coming: yup, the Clintons are still hard at work ruining America with dynasties.

[ehrnst]

40. Especially ones that actually got health care and meds to the people who needed them,

rather than simply ranting about it for decades, were never found to be self-dealing or corrupt, or cut checks to family members, and actually made a difference in the lives of girls - oh wait, that's "identity politics" isn't it?

My bad.

[betsuni]

22. I will never forgive this, it makes my heart ache.

Last edited Fri Mar 15, 2019, 06:31 AM - Edit history (1)

For four months after the race was clearly over in March, Sanders continued to accept donations. Ted Devine's monthly fee was $810,000. Sanders said: "Let me give special thanks to the financial support we received from students struggling to repay their college loans, from seniors and disabled vets on Social Security, from workers earning starvation wages and even from people who were unemployed."

[backabby-blue]

23. It's sick! He was mathematically out already and continued.

[Cha]

33. Nor will I.

[ehrnst]

42. That's some serious $$ being paid to a consultant. And a family member. (nt)

[ehrnst]

47. But, but, but, but....

that's totally different and totally progressive because REASONS.

[Skidmore]

54. Speaks to a lack

of conscience. My lord.

[George II]

38. The Sanders Institute was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization. Their political activity....

...is extremely limited.

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-section-501c3-organizations

Excerpts:

"...it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates."

"Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct."

"A section 501(c)(3) organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, such as the creator or the creator's family, shareholders of the organization, other designated individuals, or persons controlled directly or indirectly by such private interests. No part of the net earnings of a section 501(c)(3) organization may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. A private shareholder or individual is a person having a personal and private interest in the activities of the organization."

[lapucelle]

55. From VT Digger: From the Archive: 5 Bernie Sanders stories worth revisiting

Bernie Sanders’ early days in Vermont: His life, loves and circuitous route to politics

Emails reveal FBI, Justice probe of Burlington College

One family, two schools: Questions raised about another Sanders deal

Sanders campaign millions go to mystery firm

Sanders Institute has little to show for first year and $500K

https://vtdigger.org/2019/03/06/investigations-bernie-jane-sanders-burlington-college/

[Amimnoch]

56. Raises some questions and concerns for sure. -nt

[George II]

57. +1,000,000

[sheshe2]

59. Interesting history.

Thanks.

[Cha]

62. BS needs More Transparency..

not less.

Mahalo, lapucelle!

[Maru Kitteh]

68. Did you make this an OP? Vermont knows him best after all.

[lapucelle]

69. Done. The Vermont press does know him well.

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/128725665

[Maru Kitteh]

73. Thanks for the link.

[oasis]

60. Think tank sunk

[Cha]

61. No kidding!

[betsuni]

63. A sink tank!

[lapucelle]

66. Clever...

[McCamy Taylor]

65. This is kneecapping. Sanders is not Trump, but someone would like us to think he is.

“It’s a product of running a political operation in which family rules the roost.”

Would they say this about the Kennedy Family? I don't think so.

I have noticed several threads that try to portray Sanders as money obsessed and I am afraid we are skating very near an intolerable bit of bigotry which is that "Jewish people love money to excess." Do not go there, please.

[lapucelle]

67. Whole books have been written about the Kennedy, Bush, and Clinton families and money,

and the MSM has never been shy about shilling "Clinton Cash" nonsense in the service of generating its own revenue.

As for the other allegation, it appears that you are the only person who actually did go there.

I've never heard that talking point before. Are you accusing VT Digger of antisemitism for its coverage of the finances of the family of one of the state's sitting senators? Would that charge also include Jane O'Meara and the Driscoll children who are not Jewish?

[Cha]

71. Mahalo for explaining things to that

poster who goes around accusing others of "kneecapping" when it's VETTING, lapucelle.

[Cha]

70. ...

[George II]

72. Who here said "Jewish People love money to excess"? No one other than you from what I've seen. Why?

[ehrnst]

75. That's quite a strawman there... accusing people who have questions here of being anti-semitic.

Especially since you're the only one who's "gone there."

[yardwork]

78. Oh please.

Asking candidates to release their tax returns is not being anti-Semitic. That is an absurd accusation.

[ehrnst]

74. I wish that they would post their 2018 990.

They could certainly address some of the issues being discussed with that.

Their last 990 was posted in Dec. 2017.

[LexVegas]

76. Follow the money...nt

[Autumn]

77. I find it odd the number of people who support Kamala Harris never post about her. Oops, my

bad. You went bye bye.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=350941