Huge Part of the Problem: Number of Millionaires in the House and Senate

[JCMach1]

In 2003 there were 40 Millionaires in the Senate:

...At least 40 of the 100 US senators are millionaires, some many times over, according to financial disclosure filings submitted last month. Republicans on the list outnumbered Democrats by a narrow margin of 22 to 18. However, Democratic senators hold the top five spots on the list and eight of the top ten, according to an analysis of the forms by CNN... http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/jul2003/sen-j07.shtml ...

In Congress, there are 261

...While the base pay for members of Congress is $174,000, nearly half -- 261, to be exact -- are millionaires, according to an analysis of 2009 data from the Center for Responsive Politics (there are 535 total members of the House and Senate). Just 1 percent of Americans overall can say the same... http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20023147-503544.html

This has to change!

[JDPriestly]

1. K&R. Only the rich can afford to run.

[JCMach1]

2. That's why part of the fundamental change has to be campaign finance reform...

We talk about the Washington bubble... It's not a freaking bubble. What do we expect the rich, even Democrats, to understand the needs of the people.

And no, it doesn't mean that millionaires can't serve the needs of people: think Ted Kennedy.

However, should be shocked?

Normal Americans need a seat at the table and that would come from 'real' campaign finance reform.

[JDPriestly]

3. JCMach1 -- True, true, true. Thanks.

[pinkkillersheep]

19. Agreed.

Publicly funded elections.

[U4ikLefty]

4. and in the "news". nt

[Raine]

5. and if they aren't rich when they go into office

I'm sure they will be when they leave office. x(

[cali]

7. Pat Leahy has been in the U.S. Senate for nearly 40 years

He's not a millionaire.

[Raine]

14. After they leave office most of them get jobs

with places like Goldman Sachs and accumlate a pile. I'll withold judgement on him UNTIL he has actually LEFT OFFICE.

[cali]

22. he'll be in his late 70s when he leaves office and I guarantee you

he won't be doing anything but returning to Vermont.

[SDuderstadt]

17. Bullshit n/t

[BeFree]

24. They are richer

They passed themselves a big tax break.

I remember, too, in a report 10 years ago, that many senators wealth greatly increased after they were in office.

No wonder: they get to pass tax breaks for themselves and otherwise change tax laws.

[cali]

6. Neither of my Senators is a millionaire

but my rep is- and honestly, I wouldn't trade him in despite his wealth. He's reliably progressive, supports single payer health care and is generally top notch. I know the dominance of wealthy people in the Congress is a problem but I don't see how we change it unless we institute meaningful campaign finance reform. And that's unlikely to happen in the wake of the Citizen's United decision.

[Raine]

15. Mine are

Boxer and Feinstein (crook) and my rep Jane Harman. All Democrats but not lacking dollars. I love Boxer but just saying ... she is not poor.

[kentuck]

8. It's a big part of the problem..

whether we admit it or not.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Time to dust off my copy of "Who Runs Congress."

[liberal N proud]

10. It is a club for the wealthy

Either you are wealthy to get elected or you have a very wealthy sponsor who you will be owned by once elected.

Huge problem if democracy is to survive.

[remember2000forever]

13. Was Obama Rich When He Ran?

Or was he backed by some rich entities ? (Yeah, I know....His was supposed to be a Grass Roots Campaign). So, did he try to make us believe he was one of "Us" when he was running but really was not? Or has he now been corrupted by, as you said, Wealthy Sponsors" ?

[NHDemProg]

23. Compared to you and me...

he was, but not obscenely so. In fact, I don't think he made a significant amount of money off his books until 2008-09.

[xchrom]

11. recommend

[mmonk]

12. The New Democrat Coalition in the Senate is a problem as well.

With them in charge, real change will not happen.

[MedleyMisty]

16. When I was little, I wanted to be president one day

I read the Constitution. I was born here, and one day I'd be 35. So I figured I was good to go, right?

The first hint I had that this might not be true was when my driver's ed instructor said a girl from our county would never be president.

Then, a bit after that, I realized I wasn't born into wealth. Also I have principles and a system of ethics and I can feel empathy for others. So yeah - there went that dream.

[kentuck]

18. You would be such a good President.

What is stopping you? :-)

[tabbycat31]

20. where can I see the list of who is worth what?

I know one of my senators is one of the wealthier guys in congress, but I'm not sure about my other senator or congressman. Now I am curious.

[TBF]

21. The problem is the capitalism -

money is the driver.

[whosinpower]

25. New rule -

Anyone making over $100 000 dollars/year is ineligable to run for congress, senate, state or nationwide.

[TBF]

26. Only a problem if you think along electoral terms. There are so many more of us than them. nt