Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

KansDem

(28,498 posts)
Wed Dec 19, 2012, 02:02 PM Dec 2012

Another 47%: Percentage of Congress who are millionaires.

47% of Congress Members Millionaires — a Status Shared by Only 1% of Americans

It’s no secret that many members of the U.S. House and Senate are millionaires — 47 percent of them — their salaries paid in part by the American taxpayers.

The Center for Responsive Politics has crunched the numbers and released the results on its Open Secrets blog:

“About 47 percent of Congress, or 249 current members are millionaires. … In 2010, the estimated median net worth of a current U.S. senator stood at an average of $2.56 million,” according to the Center’s research.

“Despite the global economic meltdown in 2008 and the sluggish recovery that followed, that’s up about 7.6 percent from an estimated median net worth of $2.38 million in 2009 … and up 13 percent from a median net worth of $2.27 million in 2008. … Fully 36 Senate Democrats, and 30 Senate Republicans reported an average net worth in excess of $1 million in 2010. The same was true for 110 House Republicans and 73 House Democrats.”

“The vast majority of members of Congress are quite comfortable, financially, while many of their own constituents suffer from economic hardships,” said Sheila Krumholz at the Center For Responsive Politics. “Few Americans enjoy the same financial cushions maintained by most members of Congress — or the same access to market-altering information that could yield personal, financial gains.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/47-of-congress-members-millionaires-a-status-shared-by-only-1-of-americans/


Might explain why so many of them really don't care about the middle class, the working class, the elderly and students, and the poor and disabled.

Oh, and why they believe Social Security adds to the deficit...
3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Another 47%: Percentage of Congress who are millionaires. (Original Post) KansDem Dec 2012 OP
they should get minimum wage Angry Dragon Dec 2012 #1
or do it for free watch the sky Dec 2012 #2
And if they're not already rich when they're in Congress. . . . BigDemVoter Dec 2012 #3

watch the sky

(129 posts)
2. or do it for free
Wed Dec 19, 2012, 06:51 PM
Dec 2012

maybe pay for their travel and living expenses - they're not royalty and the process is corrupted beyond belief

BigDemVoter

(4,150 posts)
3. And if they're not already rich when they're in Congress. . . .
Wed Dec 19, 2012, 06:55 PM
Dec 2012

they get rich whoring themselves as lobbyists after they leave.

Here's to a PERMANENT ban on lobbying by former members of Congress.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Another 47%: Percentage ...