Members of US Congress Get Richer Despite Sour Economy

[Township75]

Despite a long and deep recession, the collective personal wealth of congressional members increased by more than 16 percent between 2008 and 2009, according to a study released Wednesday by the Center for Responsive Politics.

The study also indicates that a significant number of members owned shares of major players in the health-care and financial-services sectors, which were the subject of major reform legislation during the period.

The findings—based on federal financial disclosure data released earlier this year—paint a wealthy bunch in Congress, with more than half of all members—261—were millionaires.

About one in five of those had average calculated wealth in 2009 of at least $10 million. Eight of the 261 were in the $100 million-plus range.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/40233691


How many of us can say the same?

[Militant_Left]

1. Greed is the only value in that house.

The people are sold out for a dollar, and the house is run for corporations. When the revolution comes, the house will be cleaned.

[Romulox]

2. If Lawmakers were held to the same standard as judges or even the reviled lawyer, they'd be forced

to recuse themselves from votes concerning subjects in which they have a personal interest. As it stands, the US Congress is the biggest money-making scheme in the history of government.

[Township75]

3. A great idea, that will never come to fruition.

I would love to see the salary for all elected officials in the US govt be the median salary of the US. They do fine with free dinners, per diem meals, and money for travel expenses that they don't even need to report.

Unfortunately, pretty much everyone of them really wants money....more money....and more money.

[conspirator]

4. It's not "despite" is "as a result of being bribed to help sour the economy" n/t

[Township75]

5. Sadly this is the truth.

.