The Widow’s Mite: Obama Gave the Church Less Than ½ Percent of $18 Million Income Over 12 Years

Because redistribution is always about redistributing other people’s money.

(The Christian Post) — An analysis of 12 years of tax returns recently released by President Barack Obama from 2000 to 2011 shows that the First Family donated 1.4 percent or less of their income to charity until he began to run for the U.S. Senate in 2004, and gave only nominal amounts to the church except for substantial donations to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity Church of Christ in 2006 and 2007.

The analysis performed by The Christian Post shows that from 2000 to 2011, the Obamas reported an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $18,677,610, of which they paid $5,794,492, or 31 percent, in taxes. Almost this entire amount was taxed as ordinary income based on the particular bracket the Obamas fell into from year-to-year, as compared to the 15 percent tax rate on long-term investment income that many individuals who have significant investment income, such as GOP candidate Mitt Romney, pay.

Over the same 12-year period, President and Mrs. Obama gave $1.3 million to various charities, ranging from a low of $1,050, or .4 percent of their income in 2002, to $172,130, or 21.8 percent of their income in 2011. Overall, from 2000 to 2011, the Obamas gave 6.9 percent of their AGI to charity, and less than a quarter of a percent was reported as donated to churches.

A few of the charities that received substantial gifts from the Obamas include CARE, Habitat for Humanity, Fisher House, United Negro College Fund and the Congressional Black Caucus.

During the five year period from 2000 to 2004, the Obamas’ tax return did not list a breakdown of charitable contributions because the total amount was often less than 1 percent.

Assuming that for the first five years the Obamas did as least much contributing to the church as they did from 2005 on, the First Couple would have given a total of $62,955 to various churches for the 12-year period, amounting to .3 percent of their AGI. Of that total amount, $53,770 was given to Wright’s church.

The president stopped donating to Wright’s church completely in 2008 when controversy grew over whether Wright’s black liberation theology had affected the president. Prior to that, the Obamas gave a total of $53,770 to Wright’s church over a three-year period from 2005 to 2007. The largest contribution was for $26,270 in 2007.

Tax records show that the Obamas saw a dramatic increase in income when he began to run for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and that charitable giving directly tracks the President’s Senate and White House campaigns… READ MORE

STAND

Sometimes, events and circumstances pile up and seem to wage a war against our happiness and well-being. We squirm and wiggle, all the while trying to regain our comfort. Sometimes, that works. Sometimes, it doesn’t, so we look around and see if there’s anything else we can do or say to regain our comfort or some sense of contentment. It is good to recognize a goal or dream and come to terms with where we are in our pursuit of it. If there is something else I can do, GREAT! I line myself up with that goal, and do everything I am able. EVERYTHING.

If, however, I find myself with no more options, I believe the victory is … to STAND! This is where I find myself with the upcoming election. I have done all I can do thus far. I took a stand and fought for my beliefs. I am not a Romney supporter, nor can I throw my support behind any of the other remaining candidates, however, I realize, too, that to withhold my vote is the same as voting for the opposition in the fall. Once again, like many times in the past, I will vote AGAINST OBAMA, by casting my ballot for the Republican nominee. At the top of my bucket list, my wish remains to actually have a candidate to vote FOR! I will vote AGAINST OBAMA because I am convinced he is working contrary to the welfare of our great nation and the American people in just about EVERYTHING he says and does. He has accomplished much of his personal agenda, to the detriment of our nation. That will continue unabated if he wins another term.

“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” by Alexander Hamilton

To some, it may seem overly dramatic, but I swore to support and defend, not the President, not the people, not the government, not the flag, but the Constitution of the United States, and I will not withdraw my oath! None of us know exactly what that might mean in the months and years to come, but I have made my STAND. I have declared it to my family. I believe we must each come to that place – the place of accountability – where we declare, “This far, and no farther! I will not bend any more! I will not compromise my beliefs, my morals, my life any farther, so help me God!

There is good and there is evil loose in our land. Our “fight” is not with people, but with ideas and philosophies. Somehow, we must manage to remember that and make sure our own words and deeds are positive. There IS real Hope & Change out there … There is goodness and kindness! There is honesty and integrity, and we are each capable of it, if that is what we choose! If our leaders will not start the trend, then we must. If we listen instead of accuse … if we make an attempt to understand opposing viewpoints, it will not weaken our resolve! It will, in fact, strengthen it!