Source: New World Reporter
by R.F. Goggin (Contributing Author)
(NWR) – It would seem that our federally elected politicians in the U.S., have not been financially afflicted, much like the bulk of Americans since the economic downturn of 2008. No big surprise there, perhaps, but let us ordinary citizens hopefully realize that if things keep going as they are, these very same Washington D.C. officials will be telling us all that we need to make sacrifices for the greater good of the country. They will suggest such things as cutting food stamps for the poor or struggling, medical care for the elderly, etc., and likely seek to introduce a variety of new austerity measures, depending on how poorly our economy performs.
Figures from The New Center for Responsive Politics (a respectable, non-profit research group located on-line at opensecrects.org) paint a revealing picture of just how well politicians are doing compared to just about everyone else in America. One glaring example is that of Representative Ed Pastor (D. AR), who upon entering Congress In 1991 with somewhere around $100,000 in savings; being roughly about the same amount that he was indebted to banks or credit card companies, etc., has somehow since become just one more within the crowd of 250 millionaire members of Congress.
The divide between the financial security of our lawmakers in the nation’s capitol and the average American is reaching an epic and ridiculous disproportion. Significant enough to make any reasonable citizen suspect that their federal representatives can’t possibly be interested in changing a status quo of which has been making so many of them so much money. In case it may come as news to some folks, 47% of people serving in Congress are millionaires or multi-millionaires. Suffice as to say, one is not going to bump into any Washington politicians trying to save a buck at Wal-mart anytime soon, unless perhaps they are Presidential candidates seeking votes.
How is it then, that Congress people prosper while in office? One way, according to the convicted former lobbyist and government insider, Jack Abramoff, is to trade stock with the foreknowledge of privileged information that will have some effect on the exchange market. Opportunities made possible, because the United States Congress for some unfair, inexcusable and ungodly reason – is exempt from insider trading rules and regulations. Go figure? More