One point of posting this article is to draw attention to three entries in the column above; 1| note that Dianne Feinstein, D-California, besides her claimed net worth of $26 mil+, besides her Senate salary with all its expense priviledges and percs, requires the tax payers of the city of San Francisco to pay her an annual pension of $43,138. It might also be noted that a great deal of Sen. Feinstein's husband's [who cleverly uses a different last name] income derives from coordinating the transfer of American jobs to China - while his wife campaigns as defending American jobs.
2| Note that Barbara Boxer, D-California, who claims a net worth of over $1 mill, also draws an annual pension of $3,536 from her time as Marin County supervisor.
3| Also note that Nancy Pelosi receives an annual pension of $8,944 from her time as San Mateo County supervisor.
Finally, 4| also note Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel [Cal], with a claimed net worth of $500,000 to $2 million, draws a pension from his previous job as an elementary school principal of $100,000 to $250,000.
Present point made! Our politicans are becoming our masters, our ruling class - IMHO.
FReegards,
Bob Ireland
8 of the top 10 Senate millionaires are democRATS. Gee, now why don't we hear that tidbit on the news?
sigh
All the more reason we need Term Limits....politics should not be a career.
Plus how much hidden away in trusts so the taxman doesn't get any of the Kennedy family fortune?
When did class warfare become a conservative talking point?
I get the gist...but an updated list would help. There's been senate elections since 2003.
Peter Fitz served 1 term then left.(Like he always hinted he would). I think he did it right.
What I've seen is that tax structures, insurance and workers compensation liability seem to be specifically designed to keep small businesses small.
Unless you innovate and produce a new or improve a product you can just barely scrape out an average wage earner's pay being self employed. I don't believe it's an accident. Politicians all seem to want to make new laws so that we think they are doing their jobs. The truth is, all they are doing is restricting our freedom.
So, do you propose to seize the wealth of the "ruling class" in an October Revolution, Comrade?
The two lunny senators from CA "earned" their pensions. It is legal...do you want them to return it?
The people of the US deserve the government they vote into office.
You need to convince people not to vote for rich, capitalistic pigs, Comrade! And turn Congress into a People's House & Senate!
"Throw the Bums Out!" might be a great campaign slogan too
Money talks, and bullsh*t walks!
The existence of the extremely wealthy, even in positions of power, is not in and of itself enough to conclude that America is now or soon will be an oligarchy. The form of government that our forefathers set up, is still in place today. If our three branches of government and all of the many individuals that inhabit them do not constitute a republic then I do not know what does.
(Not to mention--whatever power still rests with state and local governments, which I acknowledge is not as much as it should be, but there is still some.)
Perhaps the definition of oligarchy is a problem here, as the word 'few' could be interpretted differently by each of us, but I am still looking for more from you to back up your claim.
I totally agree with the fact that our country is turning into an oligarchy. And for those who are doing the unjust ruling, all I can say is, "Have fun spending all your cash in hell"...
If so, this is a very hefty increase in wealth in 3 years.
If the figures are true, Kerry's actually closer to being a billionaire.
I would love to know who these folks are. Democrats or Republicans?
"These figures cannot be verified as completely accurate; they simply reflect the claims of the individuals named. "
I am wondering where Bill Frist is hiding the rest of his money? When the Frists sold HCA their share was aroung $270 million. I guess he must have frittered it away.
Very astute post and the truth.
It's the leftists who are ravenously awaiting and plotting for the establishment the dictatorship of the "enlightened" elites...in this case they happen to be rich too.
They did it before with the destruction of free Russia and the Soviet revolution. They believe in doing it gradually this time around. I hear them almost every day. They really do believe they are intellectually enlightened and that the masses - ignorant as they are - should be managed/led/directed for the good of all.
It would be interesting to know how many were NOT millionaires BEFORE becoming senators. We all know the Bubba-'Toons didn't have the proverbial pot before he became POTUS. Now, look at them.
"America's wealthy ruling class sees a possibility of instituting the same economic dynamics into our own society."
From what I've been seeing this would explain a lot of the country's insanity.
Its the mexicanization of the USA.
What the elites figure is that they can live behind high walls like the elites do in Mexico.
What the US middle & lower classes want is a wall at the border with Mexico.