The Ex-President Tax

[Can't tell the difference between politics and policy? Need personal advice of a political nature -- or vice versa? Send your question to Stumped. Questions may be edited.]

Dear Stumped,

Since former presidents now seem to find very lucrative sources of income after leaving office, shouldn't the presidential pension system, and the assumptions upon which it was founded, be reexamined? By this I mean consideration should be given to means-testing the pension and other benefits such as office and security support, etc. Perhaps there could be some sort of progressive system relating pension and other benefits to outside income earned. If we have copayments and deductibles for medical treatment, why not something similar for presidential pensions?

Regards,

Ronald Dobrydnio

Dear Ronald,

What, you don't think Bill Clinton needs his $190,000-a-year pension? Or free stationery and postage? Yes, the former president and his wife have earned about $110 million since leaving the White House. Still, do you have any idea what it costs to maintain two households?

To see how far Clinton has fallen from his days as leader of the Free World, check out this article in Vanity Fair on Clinton's post-presidency. One minute you're flying your own 747, the next you are having to party on other people's planes!

You correctly note that the assumptions baked into a presidential pension pegged to a cabinet member's salary have certainly changed. Congress approved the pension in 1958, largely because House Speaker Sam Rayburn and Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson were worried about how whether Harry Truman could make ends meet. Herbert Hoover, the only other living former president at the time, was quite wealthy, but he agreed to take the $25,000 pension to allow Truman to save face.

Truman famously turned down an array of lucrative board memberships and speeches, declaring "the presidency is not for sale." Recent former presidents don't just sell it, they practically auction it off on eBay. Clinton, in particular, as the Vanity Fair piece reminds us, has exercised poor judgment -- okay, no judgment -- in the company he's kept. I am not referring to his California jet-owning buddies, but rather some of the foreign leaders, like Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev. It's one thing for former presidents to have dodgy business dealings at home. But interactions with foreign governments should be a big no-no, unless the former president is on an official mission. I'm sure the people of Kazakhstan don't quite appreciate the distinction between Clinton as official representative of our nation and Clinton in full private citizen/cashing-in mode.

The amount spent on presidential pensions (along with office space, staff and expenses) is relatively small, to be sure -- estimated at $2.5 million for next year. The Secret Service spends almost 10 times that in a year protecting the former presidents and their families, and I wouldn't tinker with that arrangement, though Congress recently did cap the amount of time former presidents' security will automatically will be covered at 10 years. Former presidents do still represent the nation in some sense, even if some of Clinton's behavior has belied that reality, and there is a public interest in protecting them from potential retaliation for some official action.

But I agree that the scope of the pension, and of covered expenses, needs to be revisited. Some transition assistance -- call it a departing bonus, even severance -- seems warranted for outgoing presidents. It makes little sense, however, to give a former president a pension before he is of retirement age. Likewise, the office and staff expenses could be phased out over a number of years.

More interestingly, there ought to be a way for the public to share the wealth when presidents don't follow Truman's lead, and do "sell" their presidency. After all, what is being sold is a public good. Presidents rightly retain Secret Service protection because they still fill a quasi-public role, and for that same reason, we should share in the wealth created when they auction off their name.

I don't mean to be too churlish here. In our celebrity-driven culture, of course former presidents will be wealthy. But maybe a special surtax of 10 percent or so could be imposed on all presidential income in excess of $1 million a year, and the proceeds could fund a charitable foundation they could all be involved in. Just a thought.

Dear Stumped,

I keep reading that the Bush administration linked Saddam Hussein to Al Qaeda and the 9/11 attacks. Can you give a date, place and person in the administration who said this? Along with Saddam's WMD, it was used as one of the reasons for going to war with Iraq.

Thank you,
Steve George

Dear Steve,

In the administration's selling of the war, the Saddam-Al Qaeda link played a supporting role to the larger charges that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Most of it was done through innuendo and use of hypothetical "you-never-know-who-Saddam-might-share-this-stuff-with" scenarios.

But I can give you concrete citations where the case transcended innuendo. In September 2002 and again in September 2003, Vice President Cheney went on "Meet the Press" and talked about 9/11 bomber Muhammad Atta's supposed meeting with an Iraqi spy in Prague -- a meeting that U.S. intelligence officials no longer believe to have taken place. And on the eve of shock-and-awe itself, on March 17, 2003, when President Bush took to the airwaves to tell Saddam he had 48 hours to get out of Dodge or else, Bush noted that among other things, Saddam's regime "has aided, trained, and harbored terrorists, including operatives of Al Qaeda."

These are but three instances. In truth, I haven't spent too much time obsessing over this matter. I realize it's a titillating subject for conspiracy buffs who retroactively see a vast plot to dupe mainstream politicos into supporting a war they feel should have never been waged. Yes, the administration wanted to suggest there was a link between Baghdad and the 9/11 attacks to sell the war to the public. But there's too much 20-20 hindsight at play here. I don't believe anyone relied upon that claim to support a war he or she would have otherwise opposed.

By Andres Martinez |  June 3, 2008; 12:00 AM ET
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"Truman famously turned down an array of lucrative board memberships and speeches, declaring "the presidency is not for sale." Recent former presidents don't just sell it, they practically auction it off on eBay."
Bush 41 has done nearly the same.
Carter, OTOH, has used his only-slightly-less-bully pulpit to help Hsbitst for Humanity and Amnesty International.

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My concern is, without a pension, the job of presidency might be attractive only to citizens who are wealthy. (The inevitability of swiftboating makes me marvel that anyone wants it.)

A surcharge on ex-presidents would seem to violate the Equal Protection Clause. Rather than single them out, as if we begrudge them milking a system open to all, why not tax all who milk it for over $100,000,000 a year an extra 5%? 40% instead of 35% (It used to be 80%).

Since we invaded Iraq, Cheney's Halliburton stock options have gone up over 3200%. Recouping his pension will hardly suffice to offset the taxpayer rip-off of Halliburton's no-bid cost-plus contracts that stand accused of fraud in thousands of complaints gathering dust at the DoJ.

Posted by: jhbyer | June 3, 2008 8:49 PM

In August of 2003 the Washington Post did a poll where 70% of the people believe Sadam had something to do with 911. Is this guy kidding that it did not have any effect on the public?

Posted by: Matthew | June 3, 2008 7:08 PM

In fact, some time later Cheney was interviewed by Gwen Ifill on Washington Week, and when asked about the meeting in Prague, replied, "It can neither be confirmed or denied."

Posted by: Bill Ackerman | June 3, 2008 6:15 PM

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons." -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

Posted by: rmorrow | June 3, 2008 5:55 PM

And not a peep about Reagan! Nauseatingly
obvious, as usual!

Posted by: curiousgeezer | June 3, 2008 4:45 PM

How about instead of secret service protection, when W leaves office we arrange for him to live in a nice, secure, safe prison cell in retribution for his war crimes? Just a suggestion.

Posted by: EHINDS1 | June 3, 2008 4:38 PM

Throughout this primary season, the columns by politically active pundits have astonished me with their bias --no effort made to be balanced or fair. Now, after this, comes a suggestion to use the nation's tax system to punish those who disagree (e.g.,Bill Clinton). I don't like him, but I like the idea of the tax system as a hideous weapon much less. Here's a real issue: Now let's discuss the almost FREE HEALTH CARE given 500 Congress-people. That's a gold-plated gift given to people who will never face bankrupcy from medical bills. Isn't it time we concentrated on real problems? Stop wasting time being so envious of Mr. Clinton's sexuality, and Ms. Clinton's ability to win the last five primaries. That's what is at the bottom of this.

Posted by: Zaney8 | June 3, 2008 3:18 PM

20/20 hindsight? Please! I, and many people I know were not fooled at all by that transparent ruse perpetuated upon us. After looking into the situation it was obvious our invasion of Iraq was for strategic position in the middle-east to "protect" our (or someones) interests. The "war against terror" is bull, at least as far as how this administration has waged it. They, and the Pentagon, are failures in every meaningful aspect of the word. I have no confidence in our current military and political leaders. One day we may have leaders worthy of the role.

Posted by: Curtis Harvey | June 3, 2008 3:08 PM

To Steve George, Interesting question. If your teen asked to borrow the car to go to "my friend Bob's party", and told you "yes, his parents will be home", and you later found out Bob indeed had a party and that Bob's parents were indeed home but the party was in a hotel room, did your kid lie to you?

When you go to punish your kid, and he says he never lied to you, how will you answer him?

Posted by: patriot | June 3, 2008 2:31 PM

"I don't believe anyone relied upon that claim to support a war he or she would have otherwise opposed."

RELIED upon that claim? What about the preponderence of evidence as provided to us by the Bush administration? 9/11 was an ATTACK upon this country, and those responsible should be PUNISHED. Claiming Iraq was behind it VASTLY increased American's interest in seeing Iraq, and Saddam in particular, brought to justice. Is this Faux News, or WaPo?!

saj - That you can still try and make that argument, while Osama bin Laden still runs free, proves you haven't thought it through. We are NO safer than we were on 9/11, those who masterminded the attack upon us are still loose, and you give Bush credit for 'saving' us? Misquote Toby Keith all you want, it's still an invalid argument.

Posted by: Fred Evil | June 3, 2008 2:02 PM

Andres, should I expect to see a similar virtual shrug (20-20 hindsight and all that) when it comes to other matters? If so, please tell us what you do to earn your salary? Snarky answers are free in the blog responses, and many of them are of higher quality than yours.

Posted by: Two Dogs | June 3, 2008 1:24 PM

This is what the writer said

"I realize it's a titillating subject for conspiracy buffs who retroactively see a vast plot to dupe mainstream politicos into supporting a war they feel should have never been waged. Yes, the administration wanted to suggest there was a link between Baghdad and the 9/11 attacks to sell the war to the public."

Does anyone else see the contradiction in that statement? The administration wanted to suggest a link....to sell the war....??? But that isn't a "vast plot"?

I guess I'm just an uninformed citizen, but I most certainly did rely on administration claims of wmd AND the link between Iraq and Al-Queda to form my tepid support for the war. The clincher for me was Colin Powell's speech to the UN. I trusted Powell.

Maybe I'm just too stupid to read the Washington Post.

Posted by: hooligan | June 3, 2008 1:21 PM

Why is it always Clinton, Huhhh there is Carter and Papa Bush, both receive their pension. But no like most of your right wing ink, it will always be Bill.. Nothing like a BJ to rile the Republicans...They seem to bristle at the fact he is getting them while they are not...

Posted by: Anonymous | June 3, 2008 12:50 PM

The "no-fact but here is my opinion" checker is a little GOP toadie, parrotting Drudge and Rush and the GOP echo chamber.

When, oh when will the post hire a journalist, not a right wing lackey?

Posted by: Jon | June 3, 2008 12:41 PM

dear stumped...

i agree totally with JimT...

**Commentary like this in a supposedly major American newspaper is appalling. This smug little writer should take a hard look in the mirror and see if he has the guts for serious reporting. Because the country needs somebody to have the courage to call out our mistakes and challenge us to learn from them. But probably not this guy.**

you are quite smug or you would be brave enough to post under your name and not hide behind stumped.
obviously you are related to someone in corporate hiring or maybe just the son of someone who has a seat on the board of this newspaper. regardless...you are a dimwitted potato-head without any potato brains!!


Posted by: hemnebob | June 3, 2008 12:06 PM

"Clinton, in particular, as the Vanity Fair piece reminds us, has exercised poor judgment -- okay, no judgment -- in the company he's kept. I am not referring to his California jet-owning buddies, but rather some of the foreign leaders, like Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev."

Golly, Stumped, Ronald's question said "past presidents" -- plural -- not "Bill Clinton." So, I take then that George H.W. Bush's lucrative connections to the House of Saud, and the obvious and negative relationship between that connection and the current administration's foreign policy doesn't bother you, eh? Well, it bothers me.

Posted by: ragingmoderate | June 3, 2008 12:02 PM

If Bill Clinton can make $700,000 in one speech or $1.5 million for consulting , he can pay off Hillary's debt faster than I can . I didn't give Obama contributions to pay for the airing of nasty commericals and a nasty campaign against my candidate. i do not want my money used to pay off Hillary's debt. If she was broke, she should have quit. that was a sign that she did not have proper support to go the distance.

Posted by: majorteddy | June 3, 2008 12:00 PM

Well Stumped, it should be no surprise you're going off on the Clintons. You use every opportunity to blow them off. So I guess we must now understand you don't like Bill and Hillary Clinton. You might remember however, Clinton has as much right to earn money through speeches as any other politician and since his Presidental days has received many accolades with regard to his assistance in dealing with world problems.

I don't know why you have this problems but would like you to know that there are many more Americans that appreciate the Clinton years for all the positives that came out of their government than not. As far as Bill's White House messing around, it was a mistake but not one that was original nor would it have been such moral wringing of hands had it not been for a jealous Republican Congress, of which many were found to have some sexual moral problems of their own. There were many Presidents behind him that used their position to fool around although those occured in times when such things were not reported. So don't give me the moral crap because efficient governing overules in this instance as well as in the past.

Given the past eight years of bushism, the administration from hell and moralistic government (except for lying, constitutional abuse, etc), the Clinton years shine from the heavens in compairson. Go back under your rock until you can answer questions asked without inserting your own agenda.

Posted by: ken | June 3, 2008 11:49 AM

It is considered fair to not allow a criminal to benefit from his act. THeir are several laws that basically remove any ill gotten game from the criminals.

So why not apply the same principle to politics. Any gains after leaving office are automatically forfeited to the treasury as a way to make up for the defceit spending during the politicans reign. While no politician would ever shoot themselves in the foot by backing this, it is a nice voter fantasy.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 3, 2008 11:01 AM

The jealousy around the Clinton's is always amusing - on CNN they were called the King and Queen last night and the Post is running an article today about Hillary's Queen Esther complex. People in their riducule still pay homage to their gigantic intellects and the huge contributions that both of them have made to this nation. If you want to diminish the Clinton's you report objectively, but when there is so much emotion invested in every article about them its clear they are special and you aren't and you're jealous. Please Dear Media get over it.

Posted by: Jack | June 3, 2008 10:55 AM

"But there's too much 20-20 hindsight at play here. I don't believe anyone relied upon that claim to support a war he or she would have otherwise opposed."

What kind of American could simultaneously be this sanguine about the corrosion of our constitutional democracy, AND purport to have what it takes to write a political advice column?

Oh, that's right; I do ask this question of you approximately every other week.

Posted by: mobedda | June 3, 2008 10:40 AM

Read Frank Rich's "The Greatest Story Ever Sold." He answers this question in detail and includes a timeline that lists every time the Administration suggested this and provides documentation that the Administration knew they were lying when they said it. Also, people DID think that Iraq was involved in 9-11, and that it was a compelling reason to go after them, and he details various polls that support this. When the Administration was confronted with their lies, they dissembled and came up with other reasons why we should have invaded Iraq anyway, and the American public went along with this, with the cited poll reflecting this attitude. Gradually all their substitute reasons have been shown to be just as false as the first most compelling reason, which is why most Americans now believe we should have never have gone to Iraq.

Posted by: Erin-JD | June 3, 2008 10:39 AM

To say that the insinuated linkage between al Queda and Iraq is "a titillating subject for conspiracy buffs who retroactively see a vast plot to dupe mainstream politicos into supporting a war..." has got to be one of the stupidest things I have ever read. When did the republican viral argument of never evaluating mistakes evolve into an excuse for supposedly rational Americans?

By this way of thinking, if your daughter has an abortion or your son tries heroin, you don't talk about it. You move "forward" without reflection. We don't want 20-20 hindsight to possibly influence our future decisions, do we?

Commentary like this in a supposedly major American newspaper is appalling. This smug little writer should take a hard look in the mirror and see if he has the guts for serious reporting. Because the country needs somebody to have the courage to call out our mistakes and challenge us to learn from them. But probably not this guy.

Posted by: Jim T | June 3, 2008 10:17 AM

The WMD assertion comes across loud and clear in the congressional authorization for the use of force in Iraq. Among the several rationales used to justify the war, the resolution is clear on WMD, all of which came from the Administration as Congress has no independent access to such intelligence.

I won't bother to link it as the OP seems too lazy to find these things himself. But, there is a sizeable body of evidence that the link to al-Qaeda and Iraq, and WMD in Iraq that Saddam would give to terrorists, served as the principle reasons to wage Bush's little war of revenge based on lies.

Posted by: HillRat | June 3, 2008 9:54 AM

At the time of the invasion, 60% of Americans believed Saddam Hussein had something to do with the attacks of 9/11. Where did they get that idea?

Posted by: Ed Reed | June 3, 2008 9:43 AM

saj,

Nice trolling. Anyone who really feels that way is in a rubber room by now. If you're not aware of Iraqi public opinion polling, it says you're wrong on what Iraqis think. About 9/11, it had nothing to do with Iraq. Let's say that again for clarity (though you'd think W telling you point blank would have some effect) IRAQ WAS NOT INVOLVED IN 9/11. I'm sorry Dick and George led you astray on that one.

Bud0,

Many folks opposed this war. I wrote an op-ed in October of 2002 against the war and attended numerous protests. No, we were not a majority, but we were a larger group than we were given credit for. Considering the news coverage a couple hundred protesters got over Terri Schiavo it was frustrating taking part in protests with tens of thousands of folks just to have it ignored in the press. But then we wouldn't have the image of patriotic fervor that cowed so many folks into accepting a war that should never have been authorized and should never have been waged.

And to the press, constantly acting like you did your job: no, you didn't. Simple as that. I was a college junior without access to any intelligence briefings and I came to same conclusion many others did: this war would not make us safer, would distract us from terrorism, and we'd be stuck in Iraq for decades. Hopefully I was wrong on the last one.

Posted by: James Hare | June 3, 2008 9:02 AM

Wow. You make sense. What are you doing here? The WaPo is the province of wildly distorted hyper-partisan attacks disguised and reporting. Reasonable discussion of the issues from a nuetral perspective feels awfully out of place in these pages.

Keep up the good work!

Posted by: ZZim | June 3, 2008 8:42 AM

"I don't believe anyone relied upon that claim to support a war he or she would have otherwise opposed."

Polls suggest this is right. For example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_popular_opinion_of_invasion_of_Iraq

May 2003
'A Gallup poll made on behalf of CNN and the newspaper USA Today concluded that 79% of Americans thought the Iraq War was justified, with or without conclusive evidence of illegal weapons. 19% thought weapons were needed to justify the war.'

Most Americans didn't mind being lied to about WMD. They were guilty of Bush's sin - wanting war so bad they ignored all facts that argued against it.

The mushy middle "moderates" didn't turn against the war when the WMD evaporated - they only turned later, when it became clear that it was going badly.

In fact Bush's approval actually went up in the two months after Iraq was invaded, even though the promised WMD wasn't produced. It went up because US casualties in the invasion had been light.

The great US public has collectively decided never to speak again of its own role in the Great War Fever of 2002. They just blame it all on the compliant media, or Bush and Cheney, or Jewish conspiracies or whatever.

Posted by: Bud0 | June 3, 2008 2:38 AM

It was an obvious stretch, at the time-the 'link' between al queda and bin laden-if they wanted to just plain go after bin laden duh they would have done it. there was so much sketchiness about it-at the time they were downright cagey. i knew it then as did those close to me. didn't think i was a mind reader but either i am or the public are complete morons and have no idea how to interpret behavior. we were going off topic from 911-anyone could see that (?) using public uproar and horror to try and git some oil and major contracts

Posted by: duh | June 3, 2008 2:18 AM

You should thank President Bush for having the guts to stand up and do right by his country no matter the cost to his popularity. Better to stand for right than to fall for anything. Six million Jews would agree with our President. The Iraqi people would agree with him, and our Soldiers strong and brave and true would agree. Have you so soon forgotten 9/11?

Posted by: saj | June 3, 2008 2:13 AM

You talk as if Clinton is worthless post-presidency. He still likely has many tie-ins and relationships that even the Bush administration tap into, let alone foreign countries. Clinton's welll greased still and for good reason.

Posted by: Evan Evans | June 3, 2008 1:56 AM

"I don't believe anyone relied upon that claim to support a war he or she would have otherwise opposed."

This bears repeating!!! WTF, did you really write this?!?! You guys are assclowns.

We all lived this crap ... you think we don't remember for ourselves what happened. What a tool! F-ing "smoking-gun will be a mushroom cloud" and links to Al Qaeda - THAT'S THE ONLY DAMN REASON THEY GAVE US!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: kgb999 | June 3, 2008 1:52 AM

I think a distinction needs to be made clear here: ties to 9/11 and ties to al-Qaeda are slightly different assertions. While the Bush administration drew plenty of al-Qaeda ties, their 9/11 ties were more nebulous. Nevertheless, both proved equally false.

Posted by: Greg Hudson | June 3, 2008 1:42 AM

"I don't believe anyone relied upon that claim to support a war he or she would have otherwise opposed."
Are you nuts? That was the only reason that I tilted even a little in favor of the war.

What other reasons were there? Weapons of mass destruction? Well, I don't like that some nutcases have arsenals at their disposal, but all nations have a right to self-defense. Also, he wasn't about to shoot missiles at the US or invade from there, and preventive war is the same thing as a war of aggression, something I'm against.

To make Iraq a shiny beacon of freedom and bring peace to the Middle East? Please!

Oil? Not if it mean $10. a gallon gas.

Containment was costing too much? Given the hundreds of billions we have spent and the trillions we will spend in the future, it seems like a bargain now.

Lets face it, the reason to attack Afghanistan was their support for Al-Queda and, likewise, would have been the only sane reason to attack Iraq.

I know you work for some of the biggest backers of the war, but you are full of hooey if you think that you can downplay the lie that Bush/Cheney gave us about the Al-Queda connection with Hussein. It was the only reason to go to war for most of the American people.

Posted by: capemh | June 3, 2008 1:19 AM

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