Oops, I accidentally posted the article in the the body of comments
I was thinking about this just the other day.
In Europe, a few centuries ago, if you owned a lot of land, you received a lot of rent -- you were rich, and you'd probably have a role in government too: power.
With the industrial revolution, factory owners controlled the means of production and became rich -- and they could lobby the government: power.
Today, more than anything, if you are part of the government you have power and can use it to get rich. It's quite a reversal.
Being popular, campaigning well, knowing how to get elected -- these are the paths to both riches and power today.
Significant accomplishments? Those aren't actually significant anymore.
No worries. You’re a prolific poster. It’s bound to happen.