I have my reasons
Remember that whole thing about how David Paterson and his wife "only" gave $150 to charity last year? The Governor addressed the topic today on Talk 1300 AM and his answer isn't exactly going to end up in PR text books. Paterson said "I have given money in the past...this time I wasn't able to do it ... There might be a reason why I don't want to discuss it further and I think even public officials who are being transparent do have an obligation where it is better to protect than it is to reveal." So, um, that settles that.
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Comments
This is such a non-issue..if he was smart he would talk about the fact he and his wife only really made 270 thousand last year, they have a daughter at Ithaca college...that is costing about 30 thousand, a home in Guilderland, one in NYC and another child in private school...I probably wouldn't donate to charity either if I had all that on my plate...
Can we move on now? Talk about the environment, education, the war, taxes, how Bruno won't pass the Better Bottle Bill or is this post really worth our time?
... said Amelia on Apr 21, 2008 at 4:19 PM | link
I agree that Paterson's charity is not really an issue that affects me as a citizen of New York state. I wouldn't go so far as to excuse it, however. I'm single with an income less than $50,000, have two children in college, one in high school, a mortgage and other significant debt and expenses -- but I give about 20x more to charity than the Governor. I grew up in a low income household, but my parents are some of the most charitable people that I know. The more you give, the more you get back is what my mother always said.
... said Amy on Apr 22, 2008 at 9:46 AM | link