Comments on: Senators Or Stock Market Gurus? http://donklephant.com/2005/10/26/senators-or-stock-market-gurus/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:03:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Justin Gardner http://donklephant.com/2005/10/26/senators-or-stock-market-gurus/comment-page-1/#comment-3119 Justin Gardner Thu, 27 Oct 2005 13:16:23 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=1181#comment-3119 I think you're right, but there's a difference between being "forced" into it and knowingly doing it. A BIG difference. And let's be clear. This is for personal financial gain. Frankly, Senators get paid EXTREMELY well, and they can live the sort of lifestyle they need to one a couple hundred thousand dollars, which if you factor in all the amenities, trips and freebies they get, it's probably right around 200K per year, if not more. And anymore, fundraising is getting easier and easier. In short, they don't have to cheat the system, but they are, and both sides of the aisle should be ashamed. I think you’re right, but there’s a difference between being “forced” into it and knowingly doing it. A BIG difference.

And let’s be clear. This is for personal financial gain. Frankly, Senators get paid EXTREMELY well, and they can live the sort of lifestyle they need to one a couple hundred thousand dollars, which if you factor in all the amenities, trips and freebies they get, it’s probably right around 200K per year, if not more.

And anymore, fundraising is getting easier and easier.

In short, they don’t have to cheat the system, but they are, and both sides of the aisle should be ashamed.

]]> By: jj mollo http://donklephant.com/2005/10/26/senators-or-stock-market-gurus/comment-page-1/#comment-3116 jj mollo Thu, 27 Oct 2005 05:13:02 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=1181#comment-3116 I believe that politicians in this country are really forced into this kind of thing. They need the money to live the lifestyle and project the image that makes them electable. They have much more frequent resort to lawyers and expensive advisors of all sorts, not to mention lavish parties and power lunches. They probably already mortgaged the house before they even come to public attention. Not all of their costs can come out of campaign funds. They are surrounded by people who do this stuff all the time, corporate lobbyists, influence peddlers, whatever. There is also a selection process going on. If you can't stomach the sly and shady dealings, you're not going to move up. If you can't help others in the same way, you're not going to get elected. If you have any tendency to feel guilty, it'll show, and no one will want to shmooze with you. It's a vicious cycle. Power corrupts the best of us in a thousand ways. We've got to get serious about reforming the system. I believe that politicians in this country are really forced into this kind of thing. They need the money to live the lifestyle and project the image that makes them electable. They have much more frequent resort to lawyers and expensive advisors of all sorts, not to mention lavish parties and power lunches. They probably already mortgaged the house before they even come to public attention. Not all of their costs can come out of campaign funds. They are surrounded by people who do this stuff all the time, corporate lobbyists, influence peddlers, whatever. There is also a selection process going on. If you can’t stomach the sly and shady dealings, you’re not going to move up. If you can’t help others in the same way, you’re not going to get elected. If you have any tendency to feel guilty, it’ll show, and no one will want to shmooze with you. It’s a vicious cycle. Power corrupts the best of us in a thousand ways. We’ve got to get serious about reforming the system.

]]>