Let them (us) eat cake...

[jw74]

The 50 Richest Members of Congress
September 22, 2008, 12:00 a.m.
By Paul Singer, Jennifer Yachnin and Casey Hynes
Roll Call Staff

http://www.rollcall.com/features/Gui...inter_friendly

[Sweetbriar]

The more experience I have in trying to handle my own small assets, and now those those of my mother in her retirement, the more respect I have for those who do well handling and producing wealth. It is neither a qualifier nor disqualifier for public office, and in all likelihood I would have serious questions about someone who had gotten to my age and still was in the poorhouse - like me!

The key issue isn't how much they have, it's rather how much of mine do they want. IMO.

[afchic]

How much would you like to bet none of these individuals will have to worry about forking over 50% of their income to the federal government if Obama is elected? I am sure there is some way they will protect themselves if need be, and let the rest of America carry their burden, much the same way we do their retirement payments after only one term in office, as well as their special health insurance for life for them and their family members.

[Surf n Turf]

Originally Posted by afchic

How much would you like to bet none of these individuals will have to worry about forking over 50% of their income to the federal government if Obama is elected?

afchic,
It's a shame we tax income --- not these peoples wealth

SnT

[CRad]

Originally Posted by Surf n Turf

afchic,
It's a shame we tax income --- not these peoples wealth

SnT

What do you mean "not these peoples wealth"? When did being well off become a sin?

Bill Gates has 57 billion dollars so he gets taxed in that rather than what he earned in the past year? And then next year he get taxed on the 53 billion he has left even after already paying taxes on 57 billion last year?

MY Opinion? You have a skewed perspective.

[Box]

I counted 23 democrats out of the 50 with 10 republicans and 10 democrats in the top 20. (in fact three of the wealthiest five are democrats.)
What is strange is to hear some democrats talk you'd think ALL democrats lived off of ramen and peanut butter as they carpool to the senate building in a rickety donkey cart and yet there are those that spout hatred for people that have managed to earn great wealth... On top of it all there is that idiot democratic pick for VP that thinks I should consider it "patriotic" to pay extra taxes? Its this same type of 'patriotic' taxation that turned a New England harbor into a giant bucket of unsweetened Lipton about 230 years ago?
If this isn't hypocrisy at is finest then I don't know what is. Why then should I be so patriotic as to honor congress with my taxes? The people in Washington are as bad as the jokers that crashed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These jokers are gazillionnaires with assloads of lifetime benefits; meanwhile the economy is being driven towards the abyss like moths towards a bug light and all they can do is argue about what 'party' loves poor people the most.


Do I wish I had even a fraction of the money that Bill Gates has...
You're damn right.

Has there ever been a time where I felt like I was "ENTITLED" to any of his money? Never.


Wealth is good... mismanagement of the public trust on the other hand is downright criminal if you ask me. How dare the beltway elite act concerned about my financial condition.

Just my two cents, I could be wrong.

[Surf n Turf]

Originally Posted by CRad

MY Opinion? You have a skewed perspective.

CRad,
No skewed perspective, I am a “dyed in the wool capitalist”, Investor, AND having worked for some time in the DC area, a long term skeptic of government employees with great wealth.
I remember Lyndon Baines Johnson, who had one “private sector” job in his life – he was a school teacher at $62.00 a month. The rest of his life was spent in the halls of congress, and when LBJ died he was worth $30 Million – The government didn’t pay that well, and he was no investment guru.

On the 50 Richest List --- some quick (and dirty) observations

Harmon – Husband manufactures electronics for Civilian and Government Contracts. Said to be the richest person in the congress. Direct conflict with Energy and Commerce committee, and tangential conflict with Intel Committee affairs.

Feinstein - Blum Family Partners, Heavy into Defense Contracts (Biggest conflict of interest in the entire legislative branch, perhaps in the Billions)

Kennedy – Reported $500 million in off-shore accounts – You know all there is about Teddy.

McCaskill - affordable housing real estate (Read Government paid rents), direct conflict Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee)

Olympia Snowe –Husbands firm, Education Management Corp entered into an agreement with SLM Corporation to provide loans to students, who previously received loans from Sallie Mae. (Read Government Loans)

Gary Miller - Pff Bank And Trust is a HUD-approved lender (US Department of Housing and Urban Development). Sold 165 acres to the city of Monrovia, Ca. in 2002, And avoided taxes by claiming eminent domain forced sale – sheltered $10 Million for years

Tom Harkin – Appropriations Committee – Wife was senior vice president for government relations and international affairs for United Technologies– direct conflict of interest.
Etc. etc.

There is so much back scratching going on - I am sure that you can agree all wealth is not created equal
If you earn it, I applaud it !!!

SnT

[Box]

like I said...
wealth is good, betraying the public trust for your own war-chest is criminal behavior
an average joe would be jailed for insider trading

Dont tax the billions of illl gotten gains... take it all and jail the guilty party


economics isn't my gig... so maybe my opinion is flawed

[Surf n Turf]

Originally Posted by Billy L-bach

like I said...
wealth is good, betraying the public trust for your own war-chest is criminal behavior

Dont tax the billions of illl gotten gains... take it all and jail the guilty party

Billy L-bach,
Words to live by ---
Betraying the public trust should be a capital offense. Reduce the individual to absolute poverty, Then FRY them.
If we made a few examples of the most corrupt, then perhaps the remainder would suddenly find religion – and be honest brokers of the power the people have “lent” them.

SnT