which presidential candidate paid the highest tax rate and gave the most to charity in 2011? Over to you, Yahoo! News:
Tax rates and charitable giving in 2011
President Barack Obama:
Income: $790,000
Federal taxes: $162,000
Tax rate: 20.5 percent
Charitable donations: $172,000
Percentage of income: 22 percent
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney:
Income: $13.7 million
Federal taxes: $1.94 million
Tax rate: 14.1 percent
Charitable donations: $4 million
Percentage of income: 29.35 percent
Vice President Joe Biden:
Income: $379,178
Federal taxes: $87,900
Tax rate: 23 percent
Charitable donations: $5,500
Percentage of income: 1.46 percent
Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan:
Income: $323,416
Federal taxes: $64,764
Tax rate: 20 percent
Charitable donations: $12,991
Percentage of income: 4 percent
President Obama maintains that “the rich” aren’t paying their fair share in taxes — and perhaps he’s correct — even though a supermajority fundamentally disagree with his definition of fairness. But this much is clear: Mitt Romney gave substantially more money to charity (as a percentage of his income) than the president did last year. The former governor may be a lot of things — but greedy just isn’t one of them.
But about half that amount (maybe more) went to his church, and helped pave his was to heaven.
@liberal1(objectivity):
So it went to his church, so what? Church donations are still charity and people are on the receiving end of those donations. As for your paving comment.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
@liberal1(objectivity):
I am sick of hearing this. SO WHAT. Tell me if you give to charity, do you give your money to a charity you do not like, don’t believe in, or don’t believe in what they are trying to do? probably not. Christians give to the church of their choice and people of all nationalities and religions give to their charity of choice. Guess what it is Romney’s money and he can do whatever the hell he wants to with it. We do not know what charities he contributes – and if I were a betting woman he gives a lot of money to combat cancer and MS -which BTW has no cure in addition to his church.
@Enchanted: Why do you ” get tired of hearing this”—I bet I’m the only one from whom you hear this point of view. The point is: Romney’s motivation. Also, I bet most of the charitable contribution to churches goes to buildings, maintaining buildings, big salaries, and missionary work—instead of actually making people’s lives better.
@Mully: What are you telling me? That Christians believe what Christ said, even though they’re willing to lie, cheat, and even kill, and go to church every Sunday—and confession every day? Especially in a country where the teachings of Jesus are reinterpreted by lay religious leaders. Don’t forget, according to Calvinism, wealth is a sign of approval by God.
@liberal1(objectivity):
How many Calvinists still exist in the U.S.? Oh, and I am sure you think that charity can be doled out more efficiently than could all those Catholic charities. You know, like orphanages (which have been closed thanks to the government), adoption agencies (which have closed because the Church doesn’t agree with Heather having two mommies), old folks homes (that have been closed because the government decided it could help seniors better by giving them a few bucks a month), hospitals (that we will soon see closed due to Obamacare).
Never have I seen a person such as yourself that loves making such a fool of themselves. I really suggest you seek professional mental health treatment.
@liberal1(objectivity):
Yes SO WHAT. It’s his money. The government recognizes the contributions as CHARITY. His wife is a cancer survivor and has MS. Perhaps some of that money goes to those charities. Are they good enough in your JUDGEMENT? It doesn’t matter, he earned the money and the right to donate is as he sees fit.
Gee I guess Obama’s charitable giving to 20 years of black liberation theology suits your ideology better.
While apparently Romney is a Calvinist yo you.
@liberal1(objectivity): None of your business DB.
@liberal1(objectivity):
No I have heard this from a couple of people in my office. – and I am tired of hearing it.