Should John Edwards donate his presidential salary to charity?

[jcrew2001]

I think he should, and not because Mitt's doing it, but because it would be a PR boost for his work on poverty.

[w4rma]

1. He just might do that. (nt)

[aquart]

2. What a load of crap.

Mitt isn't going to be donating his presidential salary because he isn't going to be president. So he can say anything he wants.

So how does he plan to handle his extensive personal fortune while president, if he isn't going to have his presidential salary? Is he also going to donate the lifelong pension? Has he examined the regulations regarding presidential income at all?

There seems to be a lot of trouble online (where could it be coming from, I wonder) because Edwards didn't inherit his money but earned it honestly. People seem to be treating it like something unclean. I think it's lovely money myself.

[Clark2008]

14. Neither is Edwards...

[JDPriestly]

3. There are pros and cons.

The salary is supposed to be enough to ensure that presidents do not have to depend on gifts (or bribes) for their living. Also, while serving, presidents are supposed to keep their investments, etc. in trust. The salary is an independent source of income that makes it easier for them to separate themselves from their investments and personal business concerns. I would hate to see a precedent set that would make it uncomfortable for a president to live on the salary rather than donate it. I think it should be left up to the candidate and not be a factor weighed in deciding who to vote for. It is a bit of a gimmick. The good thing for a president to do in my opinion would be to accept the salary, live on it, and donate income from investments while serving. I wish Cheney had donated his Halliburton earnings and the increase in value of his Halliburton stock during his service as vice president.

[napi21]

7. That brings up a question. WHAT exactly does a President have to spend

money on while he's in office? I mean, think about it. He doesn't pay rent, no utility pmts., no car payments, no grocery bills, no gas for his cars...NONE of the expenses you and I have. If you want to consider his private residence, like Crawford, I question just how many of the expenses from there are billed to the taxpayer too! Even those that are not could easily be handled from the trust fund. So just what DOES a President have to spend money on?

[napi21]

4. No. He can donate as much or as little to charity as he wants, but

I think it's just silly propaganda for any of these candidates to say "Hey, I won't take a salary."

I could see the purpose back when Lee Iococca refused a salary when he was restructuring Chrysler. The COO's salary back then I think was $1 million, and that really would have had an impact on the company bottom line. To say that $400,000 would have any effect at all on the Fed. Gov't debt is sooo rediculous it's almost funny! It's comparable to me saying I'm going to save a PENNY A YEAR for four years!

All that idea is a publicity stunt, and a poor one at that!

[msongs]

5. should YOU? nt

[eleny]

6. I want to be able to tell a president he or she works for us, that we're their boss

Not someone who can say that they're doing us a favor.

[OwnedByFerrets]

8. Its nothing more than a PR ploy and its shallow at that.

[Jade Fox]

9. Care to elaborate?

I think it's a great idea, even if it is largely symbolic.

[OwnedByFerrets]

10. And because its largely symbolic..........

I believe its worthless. We merely have a difference of opinion. Not worth fussing over.:)

[Jade Fox]

12. Fussing is my middle name...

Symbolic gestures have power.

However, I didn't realize before my first post the Romney floated this as an idea first. (?) I think it's not a good idea for any Dem candidate to look like they are stealing ideas from the GOP, so I'm changing my mind on this.

[Jed Dilligan]

11. I'd rather he donate his Presidential benefits

to some poor person with a serious medical condition. I guess that can't be done, though.

[jaysunb]

13. what's he president of ?

I must have missed something.....