"They don’t look at these things unless money is offered, and it has to be $500,000.”

[whereisjustice]

If we want to change anything, we have to end the sleazy 3rd-way political influence being bought and sold in the free market. I have long argued that the Clinton's are using their political celebrity to divert cash away from worthy organizations struggling to make a difference.

We need to stop pretending this shit smells like roses and reform the Democratic Party.

The gala cost $363,413. But the real splurge? Bill Clinton.

The former president of the United States agreed to accept a lifetime achievement award at the June 2014 event after Ms. Nemcova offered a $500,000 contribution to the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation. The donation, made late last year after the foundation sent the charity an invoice, amounted to almost a quarter of the evening’s net proceeds — enough to build 10 preschools in Indonesia.

(continues)

“This is primarily a small but telling example of the way the Clintons operate,” said Doug White, who directs the master’s program in fund-raising management at Columbia University. “The model has responsibility; she paid a high price for a feel-good moment with Bill Clinton. But he was riding the back of this small charity for what? A half-million bucks? I find it — what would be the word? — distasteful.”

(continues)

Ms. Nemcova then met with officers at the Clinton Foundation, Ms. Veres Royal said. Afterward, she said, “Petra called me and said we have to include an honorarium for him — that they don’t look at these things unless money is offered, and it has to be $500,000.”

(continues)

At the start of the evening, school bells rang and, as the master program dictated, “Petra dressed as schoolteacher” appeared, wearing glasses.

“Good evening, class,” the screen behind her read. She later changed into a sheer red lace gown donated by the designer Naeem Khan, with diamond and ruby jewelry by Chopard.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/an-award-for-bill-clinton-came-with-500000-for-his-foundation.html

Haitians protested outside the gala organized by the Happy Hearts Fund, which has worked with the Clinton Foundation on projects in Haiti. Credit Tony Savino/Corbis

[Demeter]

1. Emphatically yes

Clintonism is a dead end to Peron-like cult, with the banksters pulling the strings....there is no difference. Ending up like Argentina would be a particularly awful end for the land of the free.

[whereisjustice]

3. Interesting perspective, we are beginning to see a pattern here aren't we?

[840high]

2. ....

[Scuba]

4. K&R And to those who argue that we should only advocate for our own candidate and not ...

... expose the corruption of others I say "nuts."

[MissDeeds]

5. Exactly

We can't be a strong party if we allow corruption.

[leveymg]

6. As far as I can tell, there's only one announced Dem Candidate who is corrupt

And it's not the one who needs a haircut.

[merrily]

7. I know what I am supposed to say in response to the OP, but my reaction is often

at least a quarter turn away from how I am supposed to react.

In general, socialites who can't cough up a donation unless someone invites them to a hideously expensive gala annoy me. Very often, charity balls net very little to the charity or charities in whose name they are held, but everyone gets a photo in some publication or other.