Politico takes a look at the incoming Congressional class and concludes that many of them are filthy rich:
Times are good for the freshman members of Congress.
Like their more senior counterparts, the new members of the 112th session are an exceptionally wealthy bunch. Two-thirds of the Senate freshmen are millionaires, while about 40 percent of the 96 new House members this year are millionaires—according to freshly crunched data from the most recently available financial disclosure reports by the Center for Responsive Politics.
But, newly-minted 8th District Congresman Joe Walsh is far from being a member of that exclusive bunch... and for local constituents, they probably view that as a good thing.
Politico looked in detail at Walsh's finances:
Not every new lawmaker is awash in cash, of course. First time Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois, one of the few members of his class to deny federal health benefits and go it alone in the individual market, is in debt. He holds negative assets between -$481,994 and -$153,001—making him the least wealthy member of the freshman class.
Walsh told POLITICO last month that the decision to decline federal health benefits would mean paying for a treatment for his wife, who has a preexisting condition, out of pocket. “It’s a cost we will feel, a cost I will have to pick up. I won’t turn down benefits because I have something to fall back on or because I’m independently wealthy,” he said.
So, 8th District voters - which would you rather have? The 'regular' Joe who feels your pain? Or a couple million dollar man or woman trying to understand your views and concerns?
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7 comments:
Smoke and mirrors TA....when Joe lived in the 10th (up until the results of the 2/10 primaries), he foreclosed on a condo in Winnetka and then quickly rented an $800,000 Winnetka home. What kind of $$$ does it take to rent a 800,000.00 home? Walsh has been a financial train-wreck.
You folks in the 10th would have never allowed him to represent you, so Walsh had to go to the 8th and put on his snake-oil charm to lore the gun toting, lower educated constituents who embraced him like the cult leader they were looking for.
some people argue it's good to have a poor congressman because it shows he knows what real americans are feeling others say it's a distraction because being in debt at the age of 50 is a serious issue that takes away from a congressman's focus. Others argue it's a concern because it opens up an avenue for corruption. I don't think you elect people because they're broke.
As for our pal Dan seals apparently he's getting out of politics per the washington post
" Three-time former congressional candidate Dan Seals (D) has also closed his campaign committee after losing an open seat to Rep. Bob Dold (R-Ill.), "
FOKLAES
Gee, foklaes, Walsh took care of that 'being in debt at age 50' thing by just walking away from his responsibility?
Don't you guys feel like you need a bath after a post like this?
"You folks in the 10th would have never allowed him to represent you, so Walsh had to go to the 8th and put on his snake-oil charm to lore the gun toting, lower educated constituents who embraced him like the cult leader they were looking for."
"And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
Wow, so original.
Doc....are those N.A. Wings?
Joe Walsh took the easy way out and didn't pay his debt obligations. It is not impressive and shows a poor quality of character.
It is no wonder that he didn't pay his campaign staff and instead used their services under false pretenses. The wake of ruin this guy leaves behind is astonishing.
Yes, thanks for noting them. I was an active duty Naval Aviator (SH-60B Seahawk helicopters) from 1987-94. Afterwards, I went to medical school and transferred to the Naval Reserve Medical Corps. Retired in 2005.
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