How did the role of politician get to be so lucrative?
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Anonymous
| When did the job turn into a money-making enterprise? Very interested in the history of this. Were George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, etc all wealthy before or after being president? And I don't mean they own plantation with slaves, I mean loaded. Seems that most American politicians are increasingly doing remarkably well financially. And even if they're marred by controversy-- i.e. sex scandals, shady dealings-- their net worth is still often 7-8 figures. Sure, some start off wealthy, i.e. GWB, but are the roles of senator, congressman, President, etc. supposed to end with cha-ching? Is this what the founders set out for or expected? |
Anonymous
Come on, there is a wikipedia page for that https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Presidents_by_net_worth And George reigns supreme on wealth. |
Anonymous
| Jesus, Bernie finally flames out and now we have to deal with these dumbass posts? |
Anonymous
What? I'm not the OP, but have been wondering also if this isn't one of the most highly paid professions. Consider if you run even for a Congressional seat in a hotly contested district, the campaign contributions will flow in and the candidate, even if he or she loses, gets to keep the leftover money. The ones who really make out big time are the winners who don't need that much cash to run for re-election. They also get to keep all campaign contributions. It is a very lucrative business for those who can do it successfully. |
Anonymous
| Washington, Adams, and Jefferson were all loaded before getting into politics. Madison was too, until his stepson almost bankrupted him. |
Anonymous
Is it dumbs$$ to say we indeed have a ruling class in this country? |
Anonymous
| Politics is the pursuit of power. Real power is very rare, and thus very expensive. If you can hand out power like an ex-president, you will be paid a lot for it. |
Anonymous
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I'm trying to think back - when was the last time that a person who wasn't wealthy ran for president?
Maybe Harry Truman? Dwight Eisenhower? |
Anonymous
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC
Here's one contributing factor. |
Anonymous
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probably the highest paid people in the country are:
- entertainers - athletes - big business CEO's but to make the really big bucks, be an ex-president and spouse thereof and give speeches. |
Anonymous
| Ironically the Clinton's were one of the bigger beneficiaries of the Kochtopus' efforts to chip away at FEC law over the past few decades. |
Anonymous
| Come to DC to do good, stay to do well.. |
Anonymous
running for president as a career move 
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Anonymous
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Getting rich in politics isn't anything new. Ever heard of Tammany Hall or Richard Daley? The list is long for those in local and national politics that have built their fortunes as a result of being in office. Politics attract those who are seeking fortune and power. Always has, and unfortunately, probably always will.
In recent years I can think of only one president that when elected didn't have a net worth in the 7 digit and above range. Clinton. And he wasn't poor or middle class but less than a million. |
Anonymous
Clinton, a perfect example. Not wealthy when he came into office and he left office broke too.
But then he turned that around big time in the next several years. |