Interesting. Report: 237 millionaires in Congress - Erika Lovley - POLITICO.com

Another reason to cut their pay in half, do away with their pensions and force them to participate in the healthcare scam they are so eager to shove down our throats.

More freedom, more money, more perks, more power... I need to run for office.

Considering what it costs to run for office, this is hardly surprising.

To be fair, some of them had money before they got into politics like Herb Kohl (Kohl's Department Stores, Kohler plumbing and engines, Milwaukee Bucks) and others married into it like John Kerry (his wife is a Heinz Foods heir). To me it would be more interesting to see which ones became millionaires AFTER they got into politics.

Joe Biden worth $27K??

Seems a little high.

My understanding is that on a normal Congressional salary, it is extremely difficult to live in DC while maintaining a home in your own state. I would also imagine the time needed to conduct a campaign can't be done by a normal person like you or I while trying to feed your family. So, under the current system, it is skewed towards those who can afford to campaign for office, raise money, run for office and maintain two homes while serving in office. Its unfortunate, but a fact of life.

I am not so sure that the current system has not in fact always been the system that we have had. If we look at who was in that first continental congress every one of them was a lawyer, a judge, a noted explorer, a wealthy merchant, a land owner, a former British noble, a military general, a plantation owner, or some combination of all of the above.

Everyone else had to work for a living. But then, try to get a normal Joe (or Josephine) like Sarah Palin and she gets crucified by the left and has to endure a constant barrage of character destruction by entertainers. I don't care that she's more conservative for my tastes or not, she was a regular person who had regular problems and was mercilessly maligned by the left. Her mistake is she was to be VP, not a Congressman, so the spotlight went on her when she wasn't prepared for it.

Some use their own money. Some use primarily donations. Which means the candidates have to tow the party line to have a shot to be elected. Most people can't afford glitsy ad campaigns even if they have their own funds.

But money begats money. When you run with an affluent crowd, you are more likely to be tapped to run for office, cleaned up, provided your speech writers, talking points, research staff, etc. Joe Blow is going to have a heck of a time competing when the battleground is increasingly being fought in the media.

On the other hand, the internet has helped the average Joe because anyone can afford it.

Just read Chapter 3 of Michelle Malkin's recently released book "Culture of Corruption". It's called Vetting the Veep, The Myth of the "Average Joe" Biden.

Just another entrenched, crooked, selfish politician.

It won't seem high at all.

I think revoking these damn mailings they send you it seems every 3 mos.
Allowing them lifelong House Floor privileges which makes them hugely paid lobbyists.
Making their highly desirable health insurance only for the limit of their terms.

I DEFINITELY think that if a health bill is passed, congress should be required to have it. That would be a deal breaker, for me.