Countenancing Clinton Charity?

In the wake of the publicity over Peter Schweizer's blockbuster book "Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Made Bill and Hillary Rich" (2015), there has been increased scrutiny over Clinton finances.  Instead of just mocking the irony of the Clintons claiming that they were dead broke leaving the White House, yet now are personally worth over $55 million.   However, the Clinton Foundation complicates this calculation.

When Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) became Secretary of State, there was a memorandum of understanding that the Clinton Foundation would not take contributions from foreign governments as it would appear like a conflict of interest with Mrs. Clinton's official responsibilities.  Yet the Clinton Foundation continued to take large contributions from individuals who have close ties with foreign governments.  Shortly thereafter, there seemed to be access or action that seemed favorable to such interests.  This can be characterized as pay for play, although Clinton sources claim that there is not a shred of evidence (sic) to prove those allegations.

Another sticking point about the Clinton Foundation is how the founders of the Clinton Foundation use their charity.  The Clinton Foundation only gives 10% of its take to actual charitable grants.  In fact, according to 2013 tax filings, $8.5 million or 10% of the total went to travel.

To address these issues, former President Bill Clinton granted media access to NBC News while he was traveling in Africa on behalf of the Clinton Foundation.



It is interesting to note that President Clinton believes that it is virtuous to donate to his own charity, which leverages Clinton prominence to effectuate global change through lots of international travel for the principal. How convenient.

Should this be charity that the American polity countenance, particularly considering how Mrs. Clinton aspires to again be in the Oval Office?