Congress millionaires

[doughknow]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29235.html

Just a little information to broaden the perspective of those who blame everything on corporations and CEOs.

Note that these people make up about 45% of the total membership in Congress. This is one of the greatest "rich guy" clubs in the country. They have political/government power as well as wealth. Who do you think probably has the upperhand in corporate/government "alliances" or "partnerships"? I see a lot of "anti-fascist" talk, usually from the political left, that completely fails to take this information into account.

[Pauligan]

Originally Posted by doughknow

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29235.html

Just a little information to broaden the perspective of those who blame everything on corporations and CEOs.

Note that these people make up about 45% of the total membership in Congress. This is one of the greatest "rich guy" clubs in the country. They have political/government power as well as wealth. Who do you think probably has the upperhand in corporate/government "alliances" or "partnerships"? I see a lot of "anti-fascist" talk, usually from the political left, that completely fails to take this information into account.

I'm one those that constantly gets accused for blaming everything on corporations and CEOs and that's not really the point. Corporations have the upperhand in government because their money buys policies that benefit them. They sway policy with the power of their money. The fact that most of our representitives are millionsres is hardly a surprise.

[patriot_son]

Every congress person goes into office filled with the realization that should he/she serve even a single term, financial enrichment will be attained.
Congress is corrupt simply because of that fact.
When nations rise and fall over money and the greed thereof; when leaders are placed into power, a derivitive of finance, then we can be assured that something smells to high heaven.
Best system of government in the world? Perhaps, but none the less smelly.

[BeverlyD]

many of the millionaires in govt became rich after they took office...how about term limits...that should cut down on corruption and career politicians using their office to line their pockets.

[doughknow]

Originally Posted by Pauligan

I'm one those that constantly gets accused for blaming everything on corporations and CEOs and that's not really the point. Corporations have the upperhand in government because their money buys policies that benefit them. They sway policy with the power of their money. The fact that most of our representitives are millionsres is hardly a surprise.

You're mistaken. The politicians will play ball with the corporations so long as it suits them. But they'll turn against the very corporations they took the money from when that suits them. The politicians have the power and always the upperhand. Part of that power is to make things appear other than the way they actually are. If you're buying into the current anti-corporation show being put on by the current batch in Washington, you're doing precisely what they want. As I may have said elsewhere, it is a mistake to believe that businessmen are any more dishonest than politicians. It is also a mistake to ignore the fact that the politicians do take the money.

[BeverlyD]

Originally Posted by doughknow

You're mistaken. The politicians will play ball with the corporations so long as it suits them. But they'll turn against the very corporations they took the money from when that suits them. The politicians have the power and always the upperhand. Part of that power is to make things appear other than the way they actually are. If you're buying into the current anti-corporation show being put on by the current batch in Washington, you're doing precisely what they want. As I may have said elsewhere, it is a mistake to believe that businessmen are any more dishonest than politicians. It is also a mistake to ignore the fact that the politicians do take the money.

well said.

[Darlin]

Perhaps we should make those that have a certain net worth forgo their salary.

[jviney]

Originally Posted by Darlin

Perhaps we should make those that have a certain net worth forgo their salary.

This is the top ten, start with them

Richest Members of Congress
Name Minimum Net Worth Average Maximum Net Worth
Darrell Issa (R-Calif) $164,650,039 $251,025,020 $337,400,002
Jane Harman (D-Calif) $112,318,335 $244,796,667 $377,275,000
Herb Kohl (D-Wis) $163,510,027 $214,570,011 $265,629,996
Mark Warner (D-Va) $73,315,204 $209,700,598 $346,085,992
John Kerry (D-Mass) $158,643,501 $208,801,275 $258,959,049
Jared Polis (D-Colo) $50,737,134 $158,173,566 $265,609,998
Vernon Buchanan (R-Fla) $-68,340,597 $142,432,692 $353,205,982
Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa) $60,196,019 $94,306,010 $128,416,002
Frank R Lautenberg (D-NJ) $47,632,169 $74,744,094 $101,856,020
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) $42,912,257 $72,380,637 $101,849,018

[lizbethrose]

I'm not familiar with all of them, but didn't John Kerry marry money, as did John Cain, and didn't Jay Rockefeller inherit it? It would be more relevant if you differentiated between inherited, married and received while in office.

[BFSmith764]

Originally Posted by Pauligan

I'm one those that constantly gets accused for blaming everything on corporations and CEOs and that's not really the point. Corporations have the upperhand in government because their money buys policies that benefit them. They sway policy with the power of their money. The fact that most of our representitives are millionsres is hardly a surprise.

It sure does not come as a surprise to me either. Democracy is for sale to the highest bidder. What an upside down model; the servants are millionaires while those who put them in office (the people) can only wish they make the kind of money that they make.