For the first time, half of US Congress are millionaires; Democrats slightly richer than Republicans - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25691066[/url] [quote]Gor the first time, half of the members of the US Congress are millionaires, according to a wealth analysis. At least 268 of the 534 politicians in the Senate and House of Representatives had a net worth of $1m (£606,821) or more in 2012. Democrats were slightly wealthier than Republicans, found the data from the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) at OpenSecrets.org. It comes as politicians debate national jobless benefits and the minimum wage.[/quote]

I bet it's the older members who have been there awhile.

i wonder how many democratic politicians get paid to lay down and be pussy-whipped to the GOP.

Wow we are really dropping our standards, we gotta work hard to get back to above 75%[img]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.lemondrop.com/media/2010/01/sarcmark14-16.jpg[/img]

This is what happens when you make it impossible for the non-rich to run (McCain-Feingold). Ironic how a bill that was supposed to make money play less of a role actually made it play more of a role.

[QUOTE=joes33431;43495190]i wonder how many democratic politicians get paid to lay down and be pussy-whipped to the GOP.[/QUOTE] Believe me, Democrats don't need Republican bribes to make tons of extra money.

this only has to do with the fact that the old gop has been split into the traditionals and the new guys that make up the tea party. the tea partiers are less wealthy and educated than anyone else in politics. they're dragging the gop side down

I take it it reached a high, rather than hit a low?

Even if they weren't millionaires, they still get nice pay checks and benefits. No wonder congress is so disconnected from reality and the American people. It's like "Hey, I'm a millionaire so I know what's best for middle class and bottom class Americans."

And meanwhile the middle and lower classes are left to rot. Yay for democracy! :v:

It absolutely boggles my mind that while the rest of America is in shambles with 1 in 5 under the poverty line, the fucking Congress is setting records for being richer than ever. Someone talk to me - how are you Americans tolerating this?

Seriously, what is 1 million dollars by today's standards in US ? If it were some east European or third world country, OK, but for US...

[QUOTE=joes33431;43495190]i wonder how many democratic politicians get paid to lay down and be pussy-whipped to the GOP.[/QUOTE] Democrats never did anything wrong, they are all crypto-Republicans! Seriously, that's just a paranoid delusion.

I really wish that we were able to take the money out of politics would make everything so much nicer for everyone, with the dysfunction going on right now in congress taking the money out would make it function a little better.

[QUOTE=rsa1988;43497243]I really wish that we were able to take the money out of politics would make everything so much nicer for everyone, with the dysfunction going on right now in congress taking the money out would make it function a little better.[/QUOTE] I wish dry water existed that would make everything so convenient my paper bags wouldn't be ruined by humidity.

[QUOTE=AntonioR;43497199]Seriously, what is 1 million dollars by today's standards in US ? If it were some east European or third world country, OK, but for US...[/QUOTE] A million dollars is 25 years of work making $40,000 a year (£24,200). But most of that goes to bills and shit, you don't save all of it, so a net worth of a million at 40k a year would take heavy saving for all 25 years and then some. And 40k a year is nothing to laugh at For comparison, if you worked at McDonalds for a year you'd make about $12,500 before any taxes or paying into social security

[QUOTE=Zenreon117;43495247]Wow we are really dropping our standards, we gotta work hard to get back to above 75%[img]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.lemondrop.com/media/2010/01/sarcmark14-16.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] Oh boy its time we bring back the sarcmark[img]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.lemondrop.com/media/2010/01/sarcmark14-16.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=Stopper;43497195]It absolutely boggles my mind that while the rest of America is in shambles with 1 in 5 under the poverty line, the fucking Congress is setting records for being richer than ever. Someone talk to me - how are you Americans tolerating this?[/QUOTE] I'm part of the lower class and it absolutely sucks, we're treated like we're definitely going to be criminals and we get just about enough to live in the first world.

[QUOTE=Aredbomb;43495293]Believe me, Democrats don't need Republican bribes to make tons of extra money.[/QUOTE] Sure they don't [I]need [/I]them.

[QUOTE=rsa1988;43497243]I really wish that we were able to take the money out of politics would make everything so much nicer for everyone, with the dysfunction going on right now in congress taking the money out would make it function a little better.[/QUOTE]Hold all their paychecks hostage. Watch this country dig itself out of the shithole overnight.

This is great news, if they're all rich, it means they can't be lobbied or bribed. This is why the US is the pinnacle of democracy and the envy of the world

[QUOTE=Solo Wing;43499221]Hold all their paychecks hostage. Watch this country dig itself out of the shithole overnight.[/QUOTE] Congressmen make [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salaries_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress"]quite a bit[/URL] but you can't seriously think that they get rich from being in Congress and not from all the businesses and investments they run on the side. In fact, if you go and plug those numbers into an inflation calculator, you'd find that they match pretty closely. The 1984 value of $72,600, for example, would be worth about $163,514 today, which means that with inflation taken into account the pay has only increased a whopping six percent. As each year passes and inflation makes the dollar less and less valuable, it becomes easier to become a millionaire. No surprise there.

[QUOTE=Stopper;43497195]It absolutely boggles my mind that while the rest of America is in shambles with 1 in 5 under the poverty line, the fucking Congress is setting records for being richer than ever. Someone talk to me - how are you Americans tolerating this?[/QUOTE] lol america isn't in "shambles" i don't know how you picture the US, but when i look out my window i don't see ruined houses, people begging in the streets, and congressmen shitting on my lawn

[QUOTE=catbarf;43499431]Congressmen make [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salaries_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress"]quite a bit[/URL] but you can't seriously think that they get rich from being in Congress and not from all the businesses and investments they run on the side. In fact, if you go and plug those numbers into an inflation calculator, you'd find that they match pretty closely. The 1984 value of $72,600, for example, would be worth about $163,514 today, which means that with inflation taken into account the pay has only increased a whopping six percent. As each year passes and inflation makes the dollar less and less valuable, it becomes easier to become a millionaire. No surprise there.[/QUOTE] Put on top how most news cycles are talking elections JUST after elections happened. Most Congress people get voted in only to have to campaign again in two years. It's hectic and there job is on the line where a single miss said word or line can get you down shit creek without a paddle.

[QUOTE=JerryK;43499433]lol america isn't in "shambles" i don't know how you picture the US, but when i look out my window i don't see ruined houses, people begging in the streets, and congressmen shitting on my lawn[/QUOTE] Nah man I drive my pickup truck everyday to Mcdonalds and get shot at by AK-47's, watch people drop dead in the street cause no healthcare and feed off the garbage cans.

95% of incumbents get reelected.

Wouldn't it be nice if America was actually a democracy? Or even a legitimate republic? Just imagine

[QUOTE=Stopper;43497195]It absolutely boggles my mind that while the rest of America is in shambles with 1 in 5 under the poverty line, the fucking Congress is setting records for being richer than ever. Someone talk to me - how are you Americans tolerating this?[/QUOTE] I'm not tolerating it but anyone i tell about this they chalk it off as bullshit or conspiracy theories. i live among the biggest fucking idiots.

[QUOTE=Solo Wing;43496652] Yay for republicanism! :v:[/QUOTE] ftfy

Democrat or Republican, it doesn't matter what side a politician is on, most of them are dirt bags. Any regular person could never get close to running for a federal position; you've got to have money. Lots of it. Claiming Democrats are just good guys of the people being held down by the evil Republicans is bullshit, and even if it was true, what kind of "good guy" takes bribes and watches the people he "cares" about get flushed down the toilet? I'm not saying some don't take bribes, I'm saying even the ones that do are dirt bags. Overall, the majority of the U.S.'s problems stem from our federal government, and it's only getting worse.