The 50 Richest Members of Congress (2011)

[FreakinDJ]

The 50 Richest Members of Congress (2011)

To determine the richest lawmakers, Roll Call adds up the minimum value of total assets reported by each Member on their annual financial disclosures and subtracts the minimum liabilities. Percent change refers to the change since last year's disclosure forms.

An asset valued at $5 million to $25 million is counted at the lesser amount, as is a liability valued at $1 million to $5 million.

http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th.html

[CBHagman]

1. There are some real surprises there.

Biggest surprise of all: among the millionaires club are members of Congress I'd never even heard of.

Some of the names are no surprise at all. I knew both Olympia Snowe and Dianne Feinstein had large fortunes, for instance. Both Senators Kerry and McCain married heiresses. John D. Rockefeller IV? Duh.

But some of the others, both familiar and unfamiliar faces and names, were surprising.

[stevedeshazer]

2. The truth is, you have to be rich to run for office.

This is proof.

No wonder money controls everything.

[Hippo_Tron]

3. You don't have to be, but it certainly helps A LOT

A person who can dump a few hundred grand of their own money into a congressional race will start off on a lot better footing than a person who has to raise all of their money. Same thing for the Senate, just add a zero for how much of your own dough you put in the race unless it's a tiny state.

[stevedeshazer]

5. True. My point is, you have to have money to run for office. Any office.

+1

[gateley]

4. Biden was the second "poorest" member of the Senate. I'm surprised

there are so many who have so much, but I bet there are plenty who don't, too. Both Dems and Reps.

Although -- Biden's been around a LONG time and they didn't spend the money back then that they do now, so I think your assessment is especially right on in today's politics.

[stevedeshazer]

6. Uncle Joe ain't all that rich.

I like that guy. I think he is for real.

Uncle Joe beats the shit outta Dick Cheney as a VP by a country mile.

[gateley]

7. I think he's for real, too - that's why he won me over and

was my first choice. The more I learned about him, the more I liked and trusted him

Cheney stands along. SOOOOO evil. :scared:

[stevedeshazer]

9. Agree.

+1

[democrat2thecore]

8. You know....

Some of these people have never held a job except as politicians. How do they get all that money? (cough) (cough)

[OswegoAtheist]

10. That's it?!

Bah. My old Representative from Corning, Amo Houghton, was worth twice what these schlubs are. Good guy, too, especially for a Republican.

Oswego "A far cry better than his three replacements, at least" Atheist

[Tx4obama]

11. Kick! n/t

[Creideiki]

12. I'd be more interested in the 50 "poorest" members of Congress

"Poor" being a relative term, of course.