Are all politicians wealthy?
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
June 17, 2008 12:43pm CST
I read an article talking about Pelosi being the wealthiest of all of the congressional leaders. The article also tells of many of the others assets. It was an amazing read. Many of them have land or assets of over several million dollars. Must be nice! How can they relate to someone who has to live on less than $10 an hour?
5 people like this
26 responses
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I was actually discussing this with my family a few days ago. Someone pointed out how most, if not all politicians have money, and that the chances to become a politician seem to drop dramatically when money is the thing you lack. In the end, we all agreed it was disturbing that it is the rich that run our country, and that the poor are left in the dust because they don't have the funds to compete. We may vote them into office, but in the end the people with the money always end up the leaders of our country.
As for whether or not they can relate to the poor - I think it's possible. Once upon a time some of them were no better off than some of us. Others had it all from the beginning: good schools, good connections, good finances, etc. It would depend on the politician. Some may let the money go to their head and forget how hard it is to be poor, some may only pretend to know, and others may remember the days of necessary budgeting with hundreds of dollars, instead of the billions they handle now.
2 people like this
@mclendon (308)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I probably won't have a chance of getting a "best response" for this one, but I'll chime in anyway.
Most politicians (in the US) were successful business-people or professionals BEFORE they got into politics. It's true that many also come from successful families and don't seem to have to prove themselves, but it is the success that propels them into leadership. I respect leaders who lead by example. They know how it's done and how to get things done. I wouldn't want the unsuccessful to be running my town, state, or country.
Now in some countries politicians do get rich from bribes and pay-offs but that is not true in the U.S.(usually). Most politicians aren't paid big salaries as elected officials and they have to do fund-raising to pay for their campaigns. That's why the media focuses so much on how they raise their money and from whom. This gives you the best clue as to their character and influence.
People don't go into politics to get rich, they get rich so they can go into politics.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
17 Jun 08
Lots of good points. Not complaining as to their success, just wondering if they remember us "little people" they are supposed to be representing. Doesn't always seem that way.
@mclendon (308)
• United States
17 Jun 08
It seems like remembering the "little people" is mostly what national politics is about: the employment rate, the DNP, the poverty level, healthcare and education...
But like Jesus said, "the poor will always be with you.."
I sincerely wonder what you mean when you ask, do they remember the little people? In what way would you like to be "remembered"? No politician is going to eliminate all poverty and un/under-employment. Many things are a mess but that doesn't mean that they aren't concerned; it just means that haven't all been able to work together to figure it all out.
@edigital (2709)
• United States
17 Jun 08
They will relate with those "politically" who has to live on less than $ 10. Politician of course wealthiest and they join in poltics to become more wealthiest by grasping business using political image. Of course every one not like this. Many politicians are not rich and devoted their life for the welfare of deprived people. Over all politics is for the fame, power, money, serving nations and world, etc.
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I don't know of many politicians who are not. Local ones also seem to have money. Let's face it, the days of service to the nation just for the joy of serving are gone. It takes money to get noticed. Then once they get noticed the politicians want us to donate to the election bid.
1 person likes this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I've always wondered the exact same thing - how can they relate to someone who is scraping the bottom of the barrel to makes ends meet?
It's no wonder that there is so much legislation passed that favors the wealthy - they're padding their own pockets, not looking out for the best interests of the general population.
1 person likes this
@anujain75 (1059)
• India
17 Jun 08
Well in my country maximum poticians are rich.Even those politician who dont have single asset before becoming minister or MLA or MP,they become rich within a few year.Some become billionre.But there are some exception.
1 person likes this
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
18 Jun 08
You've raised an interesting point here. I think in America there are quite a few politicians who become rich before politics or after politics. The USA is a good example of how the wealthy enter politics or "Cash" in their reputations made during the time they were in office. You have Bush, Kenedy, Schwarznegger as examples of people who were rich before they entered politics. Then you have the Clintons who managed to make over $100 million after they left office just from the repuation they had built up.
In Asia and other parts of the developing world, it seems that people can make money while they are politicians. As you have mentioned, in India MPs can become very rich within a few years. We have something similar in Singapore, politicians are amongst the highest paid in the world. Our Prime Minister has a salary four times what the US president has but runs a country that is not even a suburb of New York or LA. The argument here is that it is necessary to get world-class talent to run the government and also reduce corruption - high paid people don't need to take bribes. They have a point there, I guess.
@biggerb (2024)
• India
18 Jun 08
All politicians are extremely wealthy.I dont know about your country but here in India, people join politics only to amass wealth.They are just not bothered about the common man.They just go about making money.These people will never be able to relate to our problems.They keep doing everything to hold on to their seats so that they have the power to make money.These politicians are simply looting the governments's funds.We have so many wealthy politicians here.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
18 Jun 08
They can't relate at all. They keep talking about the "evil rich" yet it's them.
They plan all of these taxes and make all of these decisions based on what they make, and not the income of everyone else.
They won't miss the money from more taxes nearly as much as those of us who don't have much money to begin with.
They haven't got a clue.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I have also often wondered about these same things, estherlou. It seems that in order for anyone to make it in politics these days they have to be wealthy. I don't believe that this was the way it was originally meant to be. How can we be adequately represented by people who have no common ground upon which to meet us? It is a well known fact that money and power drives the need to acquire more of the same. That is why I believe so many politicians are corrupt.
1 person likes this
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
18 Jun 08
Haha.. Looking at my my country, Singapore's politicians, I would say Yes! They earn a lot of money.
Our Prime Minister earns 5 times more than S President George W. Bush. Given that, you should know how wealthy politicians here are.
Whether they can relate to poor people or people earning much less, it really depends on how sensitive and how empathetic they are. I am sure there are some who are and some who are not.
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
17 Jun 08
Hello,..... prior to 1980 the politicians were honest at least in my country.but after that the degradation process started and now politics has become the last refuge of the greatest scoundrels.most of them are criminals.these politicians accumulate money by various unfair means and become rich very soon which an honest man can not achieve during his life time.the present day politicians all over the world are corrupt and they have enough black money.thanx.
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
24 Jun 08
i think that most politicians are wealthy. i don't think they can relate to me and my husband at all most of the time. They don't have to worry about choosing between food and gas or paying their electric bill. What we make in a month most politicians probably make in a couple days to a week. I may be wrong, but that's just the way that I feel.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
18 Jun 08
I read recently that the average US politician has a net worth of $2.7 million. I think that makes it very difficult for them to relate to Joe Average American. They also have the best medical coverage, an awesome retirement package. If they had to pay for insurance like the rest of us and had meager pensions, they might get on board to help us out. Until then? Doubtful.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
18 Jun 08
Hi estherlou! I am not sure if all of our politicans here in our country are wealthy but I know that most of them probably 99% of them our millionaires. So, even if they say that their hearts are for the poor in our country, I don't believe that because if they do..they wouldn't waste time in debating and quarreling with each other and instead do something really for the poor and stop all their trips abroad. They can never know how it is to starve and know when they will look for food. And if these politicians may be starving themselves..it is because they want to slim down and look good on tv.
Take care and God bless!
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
18 Jun 08
I think so! Not only do they have a huge salary, they also are in charge of big budgets. I'm sure there are many side benefits as well. Also, politicians need to spend a lot of money during campaign periods. This means that they're sort of well-off to begin with but earn a lot more while serving their term.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
18 Jun 08
Not all are wealthy but sooner or later, they become one because most of them indulge in corruption. Sorry to say that although there are few exceptions, but most of them do.
@kaustubh123_sawant (166)
• India
18 Jun 08
Hiee !!!
Well , i dunno about all but in my country , mostly all politicians are wealthy .......... the wealth they have accumulated is nothing but black money for sure ............ all the politicians who are wealthy are 110 % corrupt ........ not even this , they are the real cos of spreading the corruption ........ if not by money , then they use their power to eradicate competitions ........... this is the saddest part as well as everyone are helpless too .........
thats the scene in my country that is india........tc !!!...............
@robbknight (21)
• United States
18 Jun 08
Being wealthy certainly doesn't hurt a person in getting elected. Many politicians have very wealthy spouses or come from very wealthy families that allow them to devote time to politics and allow them to get elected (Cindy McCain gave John McCain quite a large amount from one of her trusts to become elected to Congress in the first place).
I think that so many politicians come from situations like these that have allowed them to be successful in politics the odds are just in the favor of them being much richer than most people.
And it doesn't hurt that many politicians can make a lot of money writing books (like Barack Obama) or giving speeches (like Bill Clinton).
