Tough Times for Conservative Philanthropist

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After taking a hit of $4 billion in the recent financial turmoil, conservative philanthropist and Freedom’s Watch-backer Sheldon Adelson is no longer the third wealthiest person in the United States, according to a revised Forbes‘ list. Bloomberg:

Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Adelson’s net worth declined by $4 billion between Aug. 29 and Oct. 1, the steepest drop among Americans who lost $1 billion or more during the credit crisis, according to Forbes magazine.

The magazine, in its Oct. 27 issue, recalculates the effect of September’s financial news on the wealthiest Americans, those who make up its Forbes 400 list. That list was published on Sept. 17.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Chairman Warren Buffett overtook Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates as the richest American by posting an $8 billion gain to $58 billion during the period, the magazine said. Gates’s net worth declined $1.5 billion to $55.5 billion during the 33-day period. He had been first for 15 straight years.

I wrote about the right’s frustration with Adelson’s tendency to take a hands-on role in projects he funded back in the spring. And Peter Stone profiled the casino mogul in the magazine.

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This is how change happens.

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This investigative reporting takes time too. Months of research. Weeks of writing, editing, and fact checking—and putting together the photography, art, video, and audio that tell the stories in a new way, illuminating new perspectives and voices.

We can afford to take our time because we don’t report to oligarchs or corporations. We report to you, and for you.

And the stakes are high. Democracy is on the defense. We’ve been exposing corruption and scandal for five decades, and this is a pivotal moment in our country’s history. Will democracy prevail? We won’t wait for time to tell—independent journalism is essential for democracy, and we’ll keep doing our part to amplify the free press.

So, we’re asking: Will you join the fight? Mother Jones has been here for 50 years, and we need your support to fuel the future of investigative journalism. Mark our 50th anniversary with a gift of any amount.

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