Biden's assets

[shelly3girls]

Are you saying that you expect the candidates to have a minimum net worth before you will vote for him????

Joe Biden lost something very precious to him, something that I only pray that I never have to go through. Maybe he looks at life a little differently than some of the others. Maybe he sees his remaining family, and his life of service to America as his greatest assets. Maybe he celebrates every day of his life that he didn't lose his entire family and had a second chance at happiness. Maybe he spends his money to enjoy his life with them. I hear he takes the train home every night to be with his family. He obviously considers his investment in them more important than growing his bank account. I'd say he is a politican who has his priorities straight.

As fans of Douglas Adams might say...there's a frood who really knows where his towel is.

I do not require someone to be wealthy to vote for them but I would like to see someone who demonstrates personal fiscal responsibility. IF his true net assets is $300k I would question whether his financial values are in line with mine. There may be a valid reason for his assets being that number and that is why I asked the question instead of posting a flaming post like many have done about both candidates.


In response to your second paragraph...My family always come first. In fact I take their care and well being more serious than anything in my life. To imply that one must spend all of their money to celebrate life and enjoy their family is just wrong. In fact most of the valuable family time we have is done without spending anything. Your statement exhibits an attitude that got our country into the mess that it is in. I personally believe that saving for our future is one of the best ways to care for my children.

 

[Anewman]

I do not require someone to be wealthy to vote for them but I would like to see someone who demonstrates personal fiscal responsibility. IF his true net assets is $300k I would question whether his financial values are in line with mine. There may be a valid reason for his assets being that number and that is why I asked the question instead of posting a flaming post like many have done about both candidates.

As pointed out...

He STATED he was "better off than most"
He mentioned his home, that has been reported in this thread to be worth millions.
He paid for two kids college educations(law school)
He has invested years of service into his pension plan

 

[profdsny]

To me, I think he tried to identify too hard with the average American and to me, it didn't come off as sincere. Then he finished with the I am now better off than most due to his government job (and benefits).

So, he should have gone as an elite? How would that work for you?

 

[profdsny]

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS02/809060343/1007
Local real estate agents said the Biden property is worth at least $2.5 million
What he paid for it doesn't determine it's worth.

Why should Cindy McCain release her tax records, she isn't running for president.

Since you brought up records, Obama won't release and he is running for POTUS:

1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- 'not available'
4. Harvard College records -- Not released
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
8. Law practice client list -- Not released
9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
13. Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
14. Illinois State Senate records--'not available'
15 His medical records

Did I miss the part about Sarah's six college before she got her degree?

 

[joviroxx]

Truthfully, couldn't care less what these politicians are worth as long as its honest and they aren't hypocritical about it. Own you success I say and be proud of it.

 

[FayeW]

In response to your second paragraph...My family always come first. In fact I take their care and well being more serious than anything in my life. To imply that one must spend all of their money to celebrate life and enjoy their family is just wrong. In fact most of the valuable family time we have is done without spending anything. Your statement exhibits an attitude that got our country into the mess that it is in. I personally believe that saving for our future is one of the best ways to care for my children.

I did nothing of the sort. However, given what Joe Biden has lost I would find it completely understandable if he chose to spend every penny to enjoy his home and his family in any way he can. I don't think it's anybody's business how Joe Biden spends his money, as long as he isn't doing something illegal or immoral, or in hock up to his eyeballs and lying to the public about it, or asking them to pick up the tab.

Joe Biden probably identifies with the average working class family better than almost anybody else in Washington. He takes public transit to commute home to his family every day. Obviously spending nearly $50K a year in transit is worth it to him to be able to do that. That would be excessive to you and me, and many of his colleagues probably have homes or apartments in Washington. His family is obviously worth the money and inconvenience.Like most of us, his home is his biggest asset, He accepts and acknowledges that he is "better off than most" but that doesn't mean he forgets where he came from, or how he got where he is. His widowed mother lives in a home on his property. Sounds like a good son and somebody with his priorities straight.

 

[yeartolate]

Annual Salary of over $160k
With 20 plus years of service he is going to get at about 80% of that salary for the rest of his life.


Since he is a Democrat and not a multi-millionaire some will interpret that to mean he squandered his money. But if he was republican, it would mean he did not sell out.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[shelly3girls]

As pointed out...

He STATED he was "better off than most"
He mentioned his home, that has been reported in this thread to be worth millions.
He paid for two kids college educations(law school)
He has invested years of service into his pension plan

Yes, he is better off than most. I still would like to think that with an income like his I would have more assets than a house with a $700k mortgage (especially considering what has happened in the real estate market) and still have paid for the things he has. Other things like taking the Acela every day stand out. This train only saves 20 minutes total a day yet cost $222/day vs. $88/day for a regular train. Yes, I have been on both trains and there is very little difference. No matter what my income I would never even consider waste like that. As a voter I look at all of the issues and weigh what is important to me. This issue is not the most important issue to me by far but just one of many.

I am sure that if I could actually looked at every candidate's financial situation there would be many things that would bother me. This stood out to me which is why I questioned it.

 

[gmboy95]

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS02/809060343/1007
Local real estate agents said the Biden property is worth at least $2.5 million
What he paid for it doesn't determine it's worth.

Why should Cindy McCain release her tax records, she isn't running for president.

Since you brought up records, Obama won't release and he is running for POTUS:

1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- 'not available'
4. Harvard College records -- Not released
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
8. Law practice client list -- Not released
9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
13. Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
14. Illinois State Senate records--'not available'
15 His medical records

birth certificate and BAPTISM RECORD.....what are you trying to say with both of these things??????.......i would imagine that maybe he is NOT a US citizen. Or Maybe he WAS NOT BAPTIZED, and May realy be a muslim extremist!!......give me a break!!!!

 

[DawnCt1]

Part of his "working class" shtick is that he rides the train home to Delaware from DC every day.

But the train he rides is not a regular commuter train, it's Amtrak's Acela Express.

A first class ticket from Wilmington to Washington’s Union Station runs $111. That’s $222 a day. $1,110 a week. $57,720 a year.

The median household income in the United States in 2007 was $50,233. In other words, Joe Biden’s “regular guy” commute costs more every day than the typical American family earns, before taxes.

Not sure if we, the taxpayers, pick up that tab for his commute. But if he pays for it himself, perhaps that explains why he hasn't managed to accumulate many assets. Which doesn't give me much faith in his financial common sense.

That's a pricey commute! Also, I know that senators and congressmen have excellent health care plans, but I am not sure that they include hair plugs and full mouth crowns. I am also wondering if he had a little botox.

 

[Anewman]

Yes, he is better off than most. I still would like to think that with an income like his I would have more assets than a house with a $700k mortgage (especially considering what has happened in the real estate market) and still have paid for the things he has. Other things like taking the Acela every day stand out. This train only saves 20 minutes total a day yet cost $222/day vs. $88/day for a regular train. Yes, I have been on both trains and there is very little difference. No matter what my income I would never even consider waste like that. As a voter I look at all of the issues and weigh what is important to me. This issue is not the most important issue to me by far but just one of many.

I am sure that if I could actually looked at every candidate's financial situation there would be many things that would bother me. This stood out to me which is why I questioned it.

Have not ridden either train, but from what I read he has been commuting for decades and not to impress the average joe. It is a one and a half hour commute, EVERY DAY.

I am convinced that some will knock him regardless.

 

[gmboy95]

Yes, he is better off than most. I still would like to think that with an income like his I would have more assets than a house with a $700k mortgage (especially considering what has happened in the real estate market) and still have paid for the things he has. Other things like taking the Acela every day stand out. This train only saves 20 minutes total a day yet cost $222/day vs. $88/day for a regular train. Yes, I have been on both trains and there is very little difference. No matter what my income I would never even consider waste like that. As a voter I look at all of the issues and weigh what is important to me. This issue is not the most important issue to me by far but just one of many.

I am sure that if I could actually looked at every candidate's financial situation there would be many things that would bother me. This stood out to me which is why I questioned it.

The train is paid by his campaign as a transportation cost, which is legal. We are going to call someone to the carpet for TAKING THE TRAIN....really????

 

[bsnyder]

Have not ridden either train, but from what I read he has been commuting for decades and not to impress the average joe. It is a one and a half hour commute, EVERY DAY.

I am convinced that some will knock him regardless.

You are right. You can't please everyone, all the time.

If it was me, I would have moved my kids to DC 36 years ago, and had an extra couple of hours a day with them, and saved the money on the commute.

But he's free to waste his time and money however he sees fit.

I hope I haven't been paying for that train trip for the past 36 years though.

 

[bsnyder]

The train is paid by his campaign as a transportation cost, which is legal. We are going to call someone to the carpet for TAKING THE TRAIN....really????

What campaign? The current VP run? Who pays, in between the six year intervals that he's run for the last 36 years?

 

[gmboy95]

What campaign? The current VP run? Who pays, in between the six year intervals that he's run for the last 36 years?

he is a sitting senator who maintains a campaign warchest....one of the expenses that is allowed to draw from that account is transportation costs in order to be senator.....you may not like it, but thems the facts

 

[bsnyder]

he is a sitting senator who maintains a campaign warchest....one of the expenses that is allowed to draw from that account is transportation costs in order to be senator.....you may not like it, but thems the facts

Terrific - glad to hear his supporters are paying for the cost of his "working guy" schtick, instead of me.

 

[Buckalew11]

Part of his "working class" shtick is that he rides the train home to Delaware from DC every day.

But the train he rides is not a regular commuter train, it's Amtrak's Acela Express.

A first class ticket from Wilmington to Washington’s Union Station runs $111. That’s $222 a day. $1,110 a week. $57,720 a year.

The median household income in the United States in 2007 was $50,233. In other words, Joe Biden’s “regular guy” commute costs more every day than the typical American family earns, before taxes.

Not sure if we, the taxpayers, pick up that tab for his commute. But if he pays for it himself, perhaps that explains why he hasn't managed to accumulate many assets. Which doesn't give me much faith in his financial common sense.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS02/809060343/1007
Local real estate agents said the Biden property is worth at least $2.5 million
What he paid for it doesn't determine it's worth.

Why should Cindy McCain release her tax records, she isn't running for president.

Since you brought up records, Obama won't release and he is running for POTUS:

1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- 'not available'
4. Harvard College records -- Not released
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
8. Law practice client list -- Not released
9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
13. Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
14. Illinois State Senate records--'not available'
15 His medical records

So you can be elected POTUS w/o releasing some of the info?

he is a sitting senator who maintains a campaign warchest....one of the expenses that is allowed to draw from that account is transportation costs in order to be senator.....you may not like it, but thems the facts

OK, I see his supporters are paying for it. Fine for them.

 

[bsnyder]

So you can be elected POTUS w/o releasing some of the info?




Wait, say that again. Is he paying for this commute out of his paycheck or is it an expense?
If he wants to pay for it out of his pocket than that is his choice. Is Americans are paying for that cost than that is wasteful spending. THAT is the type of thing that the government needs a hatchet for.

Brenda, he takes it out of the money he raises for re-election ever six years - people like Biden who have spent most of their working lives feeding off the public trough of Washington end up accumulating a great deal of money because after a while they rarely have any serious opposition, but they continue to fundraise as if they might.

At the end of the day (retirement from Congress), they get to take home a big pot of money.

It's a swell system we have, isn't it?

 

[Anewman]

You are right. You can't please everyone, all the time.

If it was me, I would have moved my kids to DC 36 years ago, and had an extra couple of hours a day with them, and saved the money on the commute.

But he's free to waste his time and money however he sees fit.

I hope I haven't been paying for that train trip for the past 36 years though.

Not really referring to pleasing everyone, just that the same posters that knock him for not having BILLIONS... would turn around and knock him if they found out that he did.

Terrific - glad to hear his supporters are paying for the cost of his "working guy" schtick, instead of me.

Yeah he started commuting 3 DECADES ago just to impress us, just shtick.

 

[bsnyder]

Not really referring to pleasing everyone, just that the same posters that knock him for not having BILLIONS... would turn around and knock him if they found out that he did.


Yeah he started commuting 3 DECADES ago just to impress us, just shtick.

I would imagine that when he started doing it 3 decades ago he probably didn't have that in mind. But at some point, he realized it was a great image to sell.