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Meet America's 25 Richest Politicians
Per the just released OpenSecrets list of top 25 wealthiest politicians in America, there are 12 republicans and 12 democrats (and Hillary, whatever she is). While we applaud the diversity among the country's richest "representatives", we can't help but wonder if these people actually "represent" the common man, or the man (such as themselves) having a minimal average net worth of $28 million...
Some further amusing commentary from Before Its News:
I believe it was Emma Goldman who said, "Voting is the opium of the masses." Pitting us regular folk against each other over petty ideologies is how the elite in Congress perpetuate the illusion that we have real choice between the Democrats and the Republicans. It was true in Emma Goldman's time; it's true in our time.
Comedian Chris Rock, when asked during the last presidential election if he was supporting Barack Obama because he is black, replied that he was supporting Obama because he was the only "one-millionaire" running for office. The other candidates were all multi-millionaires. While Obama probably appears further down the list, Rock's point is well-made.The best Americans can do now is vote for the poorest millionaire.
The Center for Responsive Politics has posted the estimated minimum and maximum possible net worth of every single member of Congress and the Administration (from 2008 data) at their website OpenSecrets.org. Here are the top 25. If you want to be shocked, look only at the "Minimum Net Worth" column. If you want to be appalled, look at the "Maximum Net Worth" column.
Full list of America's finest. The fact that Nancy Pelosi' minimum net worth has been disclosed at ($7) Million does not really surprise us: all that facial self-improvement does not come cheap.
| Rank | Name | Minimum Net Worth | Average | Maximum Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darrell Issa (R-Calif) | $156,050,022 | $303,575,011 | $451,100,000 |
| 2 | Jane Harman (D-Calif) | $151,480,522 | $293,454,761 | $435,429,001 |
| 3 | John Kerry (D-Mass) | $182,755,534 | $238,812,296 | $294,869,059 |
| 4 | Mark Warner (D-Va) | $65,692,210 | $174,385,102 | $283,077,995 |
| 5 | Jared Polis (D-Colo) | $36,694,140 | $160,909,068 | $285,123,996 |
| 6 | Herb Kohl (D-Wis) | $89,358,027 | $160,302,011 | $231,245,995 |
| 7 | Vernon Buchanan (R-Fla) | $-69,434,661 | $148,373,160 | $366,180,982 |
| 8 | Michael McCaul (R-Texas) | $73,685,086 | $137,611,043 | $201,537,000 |
| 9 | Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa) | $61,446,018 | $98,832,010 | $136,218,002 |
| 10 | Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) | $46,055,250 | $77,082,134 | $108,109,018 |
| 11 | Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) | $49,083,204 | $76,886,611 | $104,690,018 |
| 12 | Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) | $-7,356,915 | $58,436,537 | $124,229,990 |
| 13 | Alan Mark Grayson (D-Fla) | $31,411,044 | $54,966,522 | $78,522,000 |
| 14 | James E. Risch (R-Idaho) | $19,468,057 | $54,517,026 | $89,565,995 |
| 15 | Gary Miller (R-Calif) | $19,365,053 | $51,833,526 | $84,302,000 |
| 16 | Bob Corker (R-Tenn) | $9,778,047 | $50,717,522 | $91,656,998 |
| 17 | Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) | $19,898,179 | $43,797,589 | $67,697,000 |
| 18 | Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) | $14,900,036 | $39,012,518 | $63,125,000 |
| 19 | Kenny Ewell Marchant (R-Texas) | $13,303,385 | $38,204,868 | $63,106,351 |
| 20 | Brian P. Bilbray (R-Calif) | $25,143,635 | $37,819,629 | $50,495,623 |
| 21 | Harry Teague (D-NM) | $21,119,041 | $37,102,019 | $53,084,997 |
| 22 | Denny Rehberg (R-Mont) | $6,598,014 | $31,421,505 | $56,244,997 |
| 23 | Hillary Clinton | $10,727,014 | $31,243,506 | $51,759,999 |
| 24 | Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) | $12,556,055 | $28,612,527 | $44,669,000 |
| 25 | Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) | $11,342,046 | $28,116,022 | $44,889,998 |
h/t Robert
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At least, when Obama leaves office, he'll be a billionaire :)
I can't stop thinking of the Zim 'starving billionare' guy...
Wouldn't it be hilarious if he made Wiki's top 40 :)
who here actually believes that Jay Rockefeller is only worth a paltry 100 mill..
Nope. Have rubbed shoulders in academia with some of the clan, and that's more like the overnight float between checking and MasterCard alone.
Here is a Chilean telling David Rockefeller, older generation rich American politician, that he's not welcome in Chile:
http://fedupmontrealer.blogspot.com/2011/01/david-rockefeller-gets-welcomed-in.html
Maybe it has something to do with the alleged Pinochet collaborator who gets in the car with him!
Ya know, SD, seems to me that withholding the names right now is Julian's "Stay Out of Jail Free Card", if you get my drift. Not only wealthy folk, but probably many holier than thoust, big dreams, common man diatribe, save the planet and God only knows what else whohave extremely high profiles to destroy or no public profile wanted under any circumstances, ever.
Enormous Influence.
Kind of a brushing along side a number of Bilderbergers, Davos attendees, Illuminati type crew suspected by the Conspiracy Theorists to be behind every sin, evil and malfeasance on the globe.
Lots of influence.
And mighn't the press not have afree ticket to distribution, ratings, etc., feed the curiosity of the public.
And so many of the public given the strains of divisiveness, spotlihgt them fuckers from the opposite political side and crucify at will.
My God, the pressure must be enormous to ensure that the names never, ever get released.
Pressure's on baby... keep your hands off my glands, no Private Manning shit for me, says Julian.
BHO and others will be billionaires because INSIDER TRADING IS LEGAL for them. Seriously, they can do insider trading while virtually no one else can.
I'm sure they don't trade. Only their wife, their 5 year old kids, their dogs and cats and the rest of the family.
Yep, it's all in a "blind trust". So that means uncle's Joe, Harry, Phil, and Aunt Martha too.
And just remember, 50 million aint what it used to be.
Who is gonna pay for the new millions of Baby Boomer's Social Security?
http://seenoevilspeaknoevilhearnoevil.blogspot.com/2011/01/are-these-us-factoids-correct.html
Who is gonna pay for the new millions of Baby Boomer's Social Security?
...Let's rape the Politicians for a change...
http://seenoevilspeaknoevilhearnoevil.blogspot.com/2011/01/are-these-us-factoids-correct.html
+1
I don't have a special love for this race, that race, or any group of people, as most people are brainwashed to have. This is all part of the control mechanism, pitting one group against the other in the name of their special love.
There are scum in every race and every group of people, and I call the scum out no matter what their race or affiliation.
We live in the age of conspiracies while at the same time being socially engineered to ignore them through the use of crafty language. Words like "conspiracy theory" and "conspiracy theorist" are designed to make you feel bad about exploring deeper into the subject presented. You do now instinctively turn away from the topic whenever you here these words out of someones mouth, as if you've been hypnotized to do so. No words will set your mind at ease and allow you to delve further into the issue. Through constant repetition of the feel bad words, you are very controlled. Not even when the words are corrected to indicate the true nature of the exercise with such words as "Conspiracy Researcher", will your mind be put at ease.
You can substitute the words "conspiracy theory" and "conspiracy theorist" with "Anti-Semite", "Anti-Semitism", or whatever, so you can discover the control mechinism.
And for your information, God has no special love for any group or race either.
+1
Americans are not designed to be socially engineered like Europeans are.
Americans were designed to be Free and Independent.
The Internet and the blogosphere are responsible for undoing decades and decades of social engineering within a matter of a few short years, and it's something they never envisioned or foresaw in all of their planning/strategy/thinktank sessions, ever. This is why the control freaks and our corporate overlords hate the Internet so much. We are too good at crowd sourcing the the truth within a very short period of time. I am enjoying watching their social engineering and brainwashing efforts self destruct in real time, making the control freaks and corporate mainstream media overlords heads explode with rage.
The problem is Americans are largely sheep who enjoy being lied to and brainwashed in HD. As long as they have their clicker, ball games and beer - the slaves are happy. Issa at the top of the list is actually by far the best of the bunch. The guy has balls.
+1
I came to this same realization a couple of years ago. How fortunate it is for conspirators that "conspiracy theories" are dismissed out-of-hand.
Pay close attention. I've heard more than one person actually say (with a straight face and loads of conviction).
I even ask them to repeat themselves. <sigh>
I say to the ones that try to dissuade me; I love researching bad conspiracies.
You can add “Truther”, “Birther” and “Denier” to that list or whatever, so you can discover the control mechanism for yourself.
+1
"God" is utterly indifferent to our fate.
I believe the purpose of humans is, to become as the creator of the universe is. To become as God is, if you will.
One caveat; Not everyone gets in the club. First you must qualify.
Note: God is not a singular entity in and of itself.
+ lightyears. correct on all 3. Thank you.
+1. A good current example the main stream media is parroting at the moment in order to discourage interest in gold is, "what good is gold--if the apocalypse really comes you can't eat it" as if to say that if you're buying gold in anticipation of an economic collapse that it won't do you any good. I suppose this assumes a complete nuclear holocaust and 99% of the planet's inhabitants are annihilated and there is no use for money or currency whatsoever. Highly unlikely. They try to characterize people who build wealth via gold as 'gold bugs' who wear tin foil hats, belittling them and making them seem odd. The gold bugs are getting the last laugh.
There are scum in every race and every group of people, and I call the scum out no matter what their race or affiliation.
I call them niggers. Time to re-purpose the word.
I am Chumbawamba.
that's just YT guilt talk. A nigger is a black person; stop trying to modify the word so that you can feel ok about using racist speech.
It's a whos who list of scumbags.
Looks like public service sure does pay well these days.
Like how Hilary made $100,000 trading cattle futures from $1,000. Or how Bill Clinton can afford a $3 million wedding for Chelsea. Being a politician sure can be lucrative...
jbc
Looks like public service sure does pay well these days.
Well, if your in the Inner Circle in D.C., yes it does.
However, and I would say 90% of your major problem is the majority of this 25 were at least this wealthy before ever taking office.
Therein lies our dilema.
Snow of Maine was born to a millworkers family. She was orphaned early in life but ended up getting a degree in poli-sci. As best I can tell from Wikipedia she has never worked at other than in elected political positions yet she is worth 28 millions of dollars.
I don't think either of the Clintons had wealth prior to politics.
What is clear is that asking this group to pass increased taxes on the wealthy is a non-starter. One in nine US families may be on food stamps - Let them eat cake!!
it always did - what do you think smarty they went into the public service to serve the public? awake up...the world doesnt work that way...
Issa is the biggest whore of them all.
Oh, fucks sake, now I have to clean the coke off my desktop
An old Pilot sat down at the Starbucks and ordered a cup of coffee.
As he sat sipping his coffee, a young woman sat down next to him..
She turned to the pilot and asked, ‘Are you a real pilot?’
He replied, ‘Well, I’ve spent my whole life flying biplanes, Cubs, Aeronca’s, Neiuports, flew in WWII in a B-29, and later in the Korean conflict, taught 50 people to fly and gave rides to hundreds, so I guess I am a pilot.’
She said, ‘I’m a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about naked women.
As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about naked women. When I shower, I think about naked women. When I watch TV, I think about naked women. It seems everything makes me think of naked women.’
The two sat sipping in silence.
A little while later, a young man sat down on the other side of the old pilot and asked: “are you a real pilot?”
He replied, ‘I always thought I was, but I just found out I’m a lesbian.’
... me... to....
how am I going to tell that to my wife....
By eating her like she's the last guava on earth...
With those fucking teeth?
LOL. That's gonna leave a mark.
@EscapeKey
Kankles. Only women have them. She must be a women.
Wow public service pays well. They fixed so many problems and our country is doing so well.
Harry Teague (D-NM) -- This one-term wonder voted for the Stimulus & Obamacare. Back to the oil patch for this guy (his company is in the oil service industry).
Grayson is gone too...back to IRS tax dodges offshore no doubt.
No - one termer Grayson (lover of all things Pelosi & Obama - actually to the left of those two) is not that sophisticated. He is back to chasing ambulances. Slip and fall? Call Alan. He makes his living suing "evil corporations" - understanding that term is a redundancy on this site.
Doubt any of these people would even know how to change a flat tire but they sure know how use their money to throw their weight around.
what is the connection?
Please take a number ladies and gentlemen, behind Dr. Faustus.
On Yahoo Finance, Robert "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Kiyosaki is yabbering on about gold & silver.
Sure sign of a top, folks.
Sorry about that....
for the dollar maybe
The only top I see in silver is when I pile up my silver stash and place the last bullion on top.
And after looking to it for 5 seconds, all I can think of is... what if I buy more. Then the top will be higher.
I wonder how high I can pile them up...
By the way, I'd love to see a list of the poorest politicians and their net worth....
with a paycheck like they have, we're talking thousands of those poor poor people who can only afford 2 new Ferrari's a year, 5 mistresses, 2 mansions.
We should run a pole and a referendum to increase their pay.
SD,
Here, they vote themselves PAY Increases.
What about the Dodge Viper. I thought we were friends.
I wonder how many of these are also on Assange's list of 2000 tax cheats?
For every name there is on his list, Assange's life expectancy drops 10 years :)
Back slowly away from the hot tub, Julian...
Julian: But the hot tub's in Maine and I'm in Texas!
Agent Braveo: Close enough for gubamint work.
Nothing new. Many of the founding forefathers were rich. He who has money wields the power.
Rick,
Yes, but a huge difference, 99% of them were honest, legal, and cared for the regular people, and especially the country.
And unlike todays pols, they came , served, and left.
The populace wanted Washington declared KING.....He went beserk,seeing that is why they left to begin with, along with religious persecution.
Were you around? How can you be so sure? 99% is an awful lot.
What bothers me is how any of these people yield any power over me, you or the next guy.
This always bothered me for as long as I can think. The vast majority of US is not voting for or against THEM. It's not democracy when 5% of the American people are able to dictate how 95% of the country is run.
It is time for something entirely different.
And now for something completely different...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2P86C-1x3o
One example. Thomas Jefferson had sex with his slaves and they had children by him. Did these women have a choice of saying no. If they didn't this could be construed as rape (I know this is debatable), but more importantly why did he own slaves. In the Declaration of Independence Jefferson used the phrase "All men are created equal", and also "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (as unalienable rights). Jefferson it seems didn't live by his own words or constitution.
Politicians have on the most part been corrupt throughout history. Whether poor or rich you are susceptible to greed and power, its human nature.
He only owned good looking women slaves so he got off on a technicality with the "All men are...." You know like Bill's meaning of "is".
He only owned good looking women slaves so he got off on a technicality with the "All men are...." You know like Bill's meaning of "is".
And especially they cared for their slaves too, right? The government was started by the wealthy, if you didn't own land you had no vote. The US Senate is the American version of the House of Lords. Let's not glamorize the past.
Yes, true, but they left office broke, not richer.
If I had this much money I be damn if I would waste my few hours on this earth working. Obviously these people do not have a hobby or any interest outside of being recognized by people who do not care if they live or die. These people must have some serious issues of self worth. To be multi-millionaires and spend their precious hours lying on TV so they can keep the one or two people they wish they could call friends must make looking in the mirror each morning a sad event.
JYD,
It's not about money with these people, its always been P_O_W_E_R_
Exactly. That's why serving in the house and senate should be like jury duty, everyone does it for a couple of weeks once in his life.
My goddess daughter must have told me she loved me 5 times this weekend. I agree, I'm kind of sorry these people feel a need to do what they do, as they should be smart enough to foresee the consequences. I'm afraid as things spiral down, it will be convenient for a majority to vote themselves benefits and raise taxes (elect Democrats) in the next election. That will be the end, and it will be forseeable by late summer 2012. Then you have less than 3 months to complete your preps.
None of my 5 mistresses told me they loved me this weekend, so I'll just go get 5 more.
- Personablepowerperson (fill in the blank)
If I had this much money I be damn if I would waste my few hours on this earth working...
+1 Not only that they spend a good chunk of time flying about. I don't care how comfortable the plane is it isn't fun flying or wearing stuffy clothes and makeup all the time. Yuck.
The cliche about the difference between "new money" and "old money."
Think about how to spend it or think about how to keep it.
15th. awesome. fucker
I wish we knew what Manbearpig was worth...you know, not because we should be surprised, but to play into the theme of the lunacy of it all.
What? They're doing God's work.
Poor Hillary down there third from the bottom. She must feel so inferior.
Ya but she gets to hurt more people. That's the real political reserve currency.
Just Schumer the Shitty declares that, the rest is for the chillens.
Note the number of Democrats on the list. Just sayin'
13 Rep
12 Dem
Those damned Wealthy GOP monsters!!!
I would like to see it done by the ENTIRE Congress top to bottom.
And the drug, er,medical records of Williie "IS IS".
Here is where the most personal wealth is between all House and Senate members
(take a big fucking guess)
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $479,014,027 $1,349,202,037
Min Max
Ok anyone want to guess who congress is rooting for as the bankers take over the country? There is a reason finance accounts for 40% of GDP. I just can't think of what that may be.
citation would be nice when you use nice exact numbers. The max puts each member at 35 million each.
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/overview.php?type=S&year=2009
Citations here. Sorry about that
Thanks!
It is simply not possible to represent anything but your own interests. But, like most things, some people are really bad at doing this too.
This is where hyper-inflation will come from. When shortages start (food, commodities, etc.), and this cash starts flooding the market goal seeking stuff fast, that will be the trigger. The rest of us don't stand a chance. If all these politicians have such wealth lying around, then how many more have USD just waiting to break the dam and signal the end of the dollar once and for all?
Based on their maximum worth, they are just tools in the shed. Well paid tools, but tools all the same.
Interesting when you click on an individual's name.
From there you can look at individual Assets, Liabilities, and Transactions.
Good stuff....
The internet is the best revolutionary tool yet.
"Internet Revolution" or the "Revolution of the Internet" is just starting to tip the scales.
There are only a few of them vs. a whole lot more of us.
We know what they've done and we know that they've lied and cheated and stolen from us.
Their criminal activity is exposed and no matter how many TV channels they launch to distract or falsely inform the people, the truth is out there and with the internet the truth is getting exposed, it gets explained, it gets presented in charts, in numbers in graphics and so on.
There is no turning this back. Now is the time to accumulate this information and store it and make it available to millions of Americans so they will at least second guess the system if they haven't already done so.
Someone here said that we've been indoctrinated (mind controlled) by the propagandists in developing negative opinion on anything related to the words "conspiracy" or "conspiracy theory". I believe that is true. I also believe that we have been educated to accept the status quo as the best viable alternative to any other form of political system because our system supposedly grants us the most liberties and freedoms of any alternative. This is very questionable in my opinion as this system is clearly manipulated from the top to favor a few and to exploit many.
Yes, but the message becomes very fragmented and it becomes difficult to elicit a reaction from the populace. It's the same reason why we will never see a musician or band as famous as Elvis or the Beatles.
Unless they win American idol.
Or with Snooki on Jersey Shore.
God I love that show! As perfect as CNBS is to financial-economic propaganda (Important as one stop shopping to be handed the BS Incarnate du Jour.) Jersey Shore is a fine, absolutely A-1+, P-1, AAA across by all services phenomenal insight into the minds of the masses.
Don't forget, these people get to vote, too.
Ah, disquieting, eh? And you were thinking trolls were bad.
Nothing lasts forever.
These oligarchs of today will be ousted one day, something new will emerge.
It could be quietly and peaceful or bloody and violent.
Especially when the "melting pot" is not so much melting anymore.
airplanes fly above unnoticed as they spray aluminum, barium and more. Does it make us compliant? Is it good for us to breathe this?
Check your section of sky occasionally. Contrails dissappear within minutes. Chemtrails stay all day. Lots of evidence but no protests.
Flouride in the water. Some are suggesting Lithium as well.
Its not a far stretch to see this government as murderers of its own people as well as foreigners, especially now that their criminality is so obvious to many of us.
All it takes is a faster acting mix. Birds falling from air is not a comfort.
Transactions -
interesting to see John Kerry loading up on banking stocks in 2009.
Other questions
How much were they worth before they started sacrificing in public service and if their net-worth was over say 25 million or so, where did it come from. Finally, how many times did they rotate in and out of public service before this print? Who calls them "my HOs".
There is an enormous difference from being rich and THEN going into politics. These thieves that become rich after getting into politics have some 'splainin. Clinton's speaking engagements are nothing more than asynchronous payola. "Thanks for getting us that trade agreement, of course you are worth $300,000 an hour - twice a year - for the next five years...." (not picking on Bill, just an example) He has come a long way from deducting $3 for old underwear off his taxes
It doesn't seem like Bush is cashing in like I thought he would. I mean Exxon Mobile picking up 45 Billion in "net" earnings the same year citibank was bailed out for 45 billion (2008) seems like that should have been good for a 2 Billion dollar fee for a company picnic speech. Then think of all those defense contractors with sole source supplier on them. There was some serious looting going down but it was more spread out. I may also be wrong because no one is going to come out and spill the beans on some off-shore bank accounts with 9-10 figures in them.
The Busch family has no need of that type of hustling.
If GWB needs something he can effectively just pluck it from a tree.
The Busch family has no need of that type of hustling.
If GWB needs something he can effectively just pluck it from a tree.
Well, Issa founded the largest automotive after-market accessory company, which had the 'Viper' car alarm as its first big success way back when.
At least he did something in the entrepreneurial spirit.... I think...allegedly..........some would claim.
A stat far more interesting would be WHO has ever owned,ran, worked in the private sector, prior to getting top D.C.
My $$$$ is on the Dems losing that one huge.
Bill Clinton NEVER made one dime from birth to leaving the White house from having a PS Job.
How can you, POTUS, Senate,House, do ANY job properly, if you are clueless on what it takes to just make a living.
My opinion, you cannot.
Neither did John McCain. Or dubya, if you look close... having Daddy's friends help you in business doesn't count.
A stat far more interesting would be WHO has ever owned,ran, worked in the private sector, prior to getting top D.C.
My $$$$ is on the Dems losing that one huge.
Bill Clinton NEVER made one dime from birth to leaving the White house from having a PS Job.
How can you, POTUS, Senate,House, do ANY job properly, if you are clueless on what it takes to just make a living.
My opinion, you cannot.
A stat far more interesting would be WHO has ever owned,ran, worked in the private sector, prior to getting to D.C.
My $$$$ is on the Dems losing that one huge.
Bill Clinton NEVER made one dime from birth to leaving the White house from having a PS Job.
How can you, POTUS, Senate,House, do ANY job properly, if you are clueless on what it takes to just make a living.
My opinion, you cannot.
And, just What in your opinion qualifies? Banker?
I liked Ross Perot, but that guy made his fortune OFF of the govt! Tell me that there's any fucking difference!
Anyone who believes that there's any difference, and that somehow, magically, "business people" are BETTER, well, they're fucking pushing some BS agenda or are really fucking ignorant!
The overwhelming majority of high politicians and business people STOLE what they have (by stealing resources from the poor and or by co-opting govt to give them privilege), or they "inherited" it (and they keep the meme of "death taxes" going while they perpetuate their lineage, how aristocratic!).
Not that it matters but I notice dems have 10 out of the top 13. It is really just the difference of stinking rich versus really rich.
I find myself wondering why people with money always seem to think they know how to take care of us better than we can take care of ourselves? Begs the question, are they really trying to take care of us or are they taking care of themselves?
If it doesn't matter, then why the fuck did you bring it up? I smell partisan political motives..
I just like to notice things.
Darrell Issa, self-made man and my hero.
He is the son of Lebanese immigrants to America, joined the army at 17 years old, and spent 10 years as a bomb disposal technician, getting an education along the way. He left with the rank of captain to start a business in California making car security devices. His signature product was the "Viper" and that's his actual voice you hear when the warning is activated. Only in America.
Obama went to all the finest private schools, is a multi-millionaire and most powerful man in the world. Despite that, his screed is that America is a racist, unfair nation. He's never said, or even suggested, that since he made it, anybody can make it, and there is no lack of opportunity only wasted opportunity. He promotes Wallstreet Welfare so they can get rich financing mainstreet welfare.
Don't know if Obama would want anyone to really look into the origin of his money. Seriously, since when does "community activist" make you rich if you didn't already have a fat wallet before.
Community Activists get rich because they are shakedown artists and keep a healthy cut for themselves.
Makes me proud to be from Chicago...........NOT! In Illinois we believe this is the most corrupt state with most corrupt city in the country, or at least in the top 5. Yet, none of my reps showed up on the list, though nobody really knows what the Chicago mafioso makes and where it comes from. And, now they're all goin to Washington - nana nana nana
Do you actually believe the BS that you're spewing? I've been a "community activist" and I sure as hell ain't no shakedown artist (never got a single penny from my dealings!).
Just more politcal BS...
Important point, do NOT forget Sotero was handed his education, and the costs, thru "his Racist WHITE Granny",who was the first woman (I believe Major Bank President appointed in MA).
Like Ross Perot (the old bstd said), anyone, if given the breaks, the opportunity, and the good fortune to be born into wealth, they could be ME or YOU.
Speaking of the Big Dogs.Meaning DOORS get opened for a very few.
The few that do it the hard way, are vastly outnumbered, and the luck of the genes,a break here or there, not having to depend on yourself to do it the hard way.
Ross Perot made his fortunes off of govt contracts! He was no different than the rest of them, he just presented another story, a fresh one that most morons would buy hook, line and sinker... (esp those that pray to the capitalist god)
Issa also has a fair amount of money managed by JPM,BAC and GS. That would be an interesting angle to look at in terms of ROI , IE if they invested in one of their funds and ran protection for them in congress would their Roi's be appreciably different from others invested in the same funds if there are others invested in the same funds?
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00007017&year=2009
+1
Good for you -- that is so true. I am so sick and tired of this Sotero guy apologising for us, meanwhile neither he nor his wife has a license to practice law, brilliant though they are reported to be. Issa got everything he has through the sweat of his brow.
By same terms, anyone can make it on Wall Street. So why all that fuss?
+1000
What don't you go blow the guy?
Those who worship false idols...
But, seriously, Obama a racist, doesn't like "America?" What pure right-wing trash! Listen, I detest the entire lot of them, but BS is BS, and you're shade of brown is a bit hard to hide.
I loathe almost every politician but Issa started and built a company. He created real jobs for people. Good luck doing that in California now. Issa also has balls. The rest of the pols on the list are almost all scum especially Grayson, Lautenberg, Rockefeller and a bunch more.
Grayson made his money as an attorney specializing in class action lawsuitsrepresenting the little guy.
Obama earned his way into the best schools. He didn't come from money. You may have partisan opinions about the guy, but let's stay real -- he's not John Kerry or David Rockefeller.
I feel like the only way "democracy" would work is if the elected officials are drawn from some sort of monk-like class of politicians that have sworn off personal wealth for the rest of their lives. This would have its own complications, obviously. Maybe they have to go all the way and even become eunuchs. Hell, since we are going down the Roman path anyways, why not do as the late Roman(early-mid Byzantium) empire did and use eunuchs to handle all of our ministerial work?
I know it will never happen and that democracy can never truly work when most of the population is easily manipulated. I'm guessing HFT's will just vote themselves into office at some point anyways in the future.
Sounds like a good idea, but it has its problems. Politicians who has sworn off wealth can only be in politics for the love of the people/society or the power. Unfortunately love is scarce.
If I have to choose between politicians who live for only power, and those who live for wealth and some power, it is an easy choice for the later.
Whoever desires power are not worthy of power. Unfortunately the lure of power attracts exactly the wrong kinds.
This is an indictment on the system, not necessarily these folks (please, I don't love them). It is a reflection on what it takes to run for office. None of us makes enough money or makes enough money for others, to stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting in. If we want it to be different, we have to change it. OH WAIT! I DON"T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO CHAMPION THIS ISSUE. SYSTEMIC CAPTURE BITCHES.
MsCreant,
Well, the Tea Party just changed that...........before them, you had to have money, access to money, or know people with an agenda that were willing to bankroll your ass.
But the GOP is working on closing that loophole using the same tactics MSFT uses: "Embrace and Extend". They are already trying to co-op the tea party.
Not every man can be co-opted.
Does the Koch family mean anything to you? The Tea Party has been derailed by insiders.
"know people with an agenda that were willing to bankroll your ass"
Who do you think bankrolls the tea party?
I think they should have to put their entire wealth in US treasuries. Lets see how anxious they are to destroy the dollar, then...Oh, and that would kind of remove all conflicts of interest. And for a period of no less than 10 years they are prohibited from receiving any money from anyone. (that is why they have a pension). Don't like those restrictions? get working.
Best suggestion yet on this board.
Yes, great suggestion but it'll never happen. Also, why do they get pensions and pay raises if they are already super wealthy? Why would the paltry pay raise mean so much to them? Oh right, ego.
and not a single one of them will use Obamacare !
i though Hillary was still broke and owed millions from her Senate campaign....guess not
No. Her old political campaigns are broke, not her and Bill. Different legal entities which by the way, the politician may take from the campaign contributions to use as he sees fit, but the campaign may not reclaim from the candidate.
That's the law.
(strains of America the Beautiful)
HRC and BC made 110 Million from 2001-2008 gross. They did pay max tax on it though but still , compared to what Bill was making and what he is probably making now, that is the clearest link between public service being the golden road to wealth.
John Forbes Kerry, of Louisburg Square, Beacon Hill, Boston, must be marked with an asterisk: his "fortune" belongs to his second wife, Mama T ( who inherited it from her first husband, catsup heir John Heinz ).
Trickle-down plutocracy.
Marrying well certainly is a good short cut, just ask John McCain.
Don't forget John Kerry... Ketchup pays well.
Don't forget John Kerry... Ketchup pays well.
You can say that twice!
He was, ahem, playing catch-up! :-)
What is creepy is McCain and Kerry are buddies. They both dumped their first wives for owmen with more moeny. They are both SCUM.
It's only clownbux.
I wonder how the rankings would differ if members of Congress had to disclose their secret off-shore accounts.
Ah hah! Julian's Stay Out of Jail Free card!
99% of Americans have no idea what this post is about.
A meritocracy at work...