There was a Martin & Lewis bit on TV once where Dean told Jerry that all the members of Congress were basically working for them, and Jerry said into the camera, “All you guys in Congress, come over to my house Saturday and wash my car!”
Really? I find that hard to believe unless it’s ignoring the debts. Especially the unpaid balance on the mortgages. Sure, the house may be worth a million, but I’d be shocked to found out that 5% of the mortgages have been paid off.
This is one where the comic should have included a source citation for the joke? Also it’s distorting the distribution. The congress-critters are not at the low end of “millionaire”. I don’t remember if these comments can include URLs, so I’ll just say you can search of “wealth inequality in the United States” to learn more.
I get the point, but it’s not really a fair comparison. Congressmen aren’t a cross section of society. If they were, you could expect over 11% of them to be living under the poverty level, and you could expect one of them (0.2%) to be homeless.
The royal court stole the country from the king. Maybe, technically, they weren’t all part of the royal court. Let’s say nobility. The colonial system is still in place, now you have the right to pick a king from the pool of royal jesters :D
Surprised it is as low as 5%, especially if millionaire=having a net worth of one million since in many locations having a house worth one million is not uncommon. “The most recent data from the Fed’s Survey of Consumer Finances comes from the end of 2022. If you wanted to be in the top 5% of households at that point, you would need a net worth of $3,795,000.”
For the love of all that is holy, please wait until GoComics reinstitutes commentary on political cartoons. There has to be some corner of the internet where we can take a break from all the toxicity (and I say that someone who enjoys pushing buttons and basking in the glow of the emotional meltdowns that follow).
More like Robbing Hoods. Take from the poor and keep it for themselves. Then they justify it with religion, saying “God helps those who help themselves.” They’re helping themselves, alright. To our money.
There’re lots of fixes needed to politics in regards to money, but, we are SUPPOSED to be electing the best, a facet which includes most successful, amongst us, so this stat tracks.
A bigger problem is that in 1787, a Congressperson represented about 50,000 people – that’s a ratio where, if one doesn’t know the candidate, personally, one knows someone who does. NOW that ratio is about about 1:760,000 – that’s anonymity.
recently saw a report on Jackson Hole, WY… if you’re just a millionaire, you’re kind of a peon. People who make hundreds of thousands a year hafta commute from Driggs, Idaho over a pass. The average home in Jackson is over 7 million. I remember going there as a kid almost 60 years ago… sleepy little town then. Fantastic skiing, tho… if you can afford it!
America is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Everyone in office was elected. Don’t like them? Run for office. Nobody wants to help govern, they just like complaining that everyone is corrupt. You people are exhausting-
Not fair. The two populations are extremely different. You would expect a bunch of highly educated, highly talented people to also have and to create wealth.
BasilBruce about 2 months ago
There was a Martin & Lewis bit on TV once where Dean told Jerry that all the members of Congress were basically working for them, and Jerry said into the camera, “All you guys in Congress, come over to my house Saturday and wash my car!”
Gent about 2 months ago
If you feels that way then you should votes for a change, Rat.
zekepotato about 2 months ago
And yet Fauci is the highest paid federal employee.
Algolei I about 2 months ago
Wait, only half??
Keno21 about 2 months ago
Best government money can buy…
wbhern about 2 months ago
It’s the ones who aren’t millionaires yet that are the most worrisome. (And the ones who only became millionaires once they reached Washington…)
shanen0 about 2 months ago
Really? I find that hard to believe unless it’s ignoring the debts. Especially the unpaid balance on the mortgages. Sure, the house may be worth a million, but I’d be shocked to found out that 5% of the mortgages have been paid off.
This is one where the comic should have included a source citation for the joke? Also it’s distorting the distribution. The congress-critters are not at the low end of “millionaire”. I don’t remember if these comments can include URLs, so I’ll just say you can search of “wealth inequality in the United States” to learn more.
cdward about 2 months ago
In fairness, the percentage of Congress people who are rich has always been close to that. It was created by the 1% after all.
Purple People Eater about 2 months ago
I get the point, but it’s not really a fair comparison. Congressmen aren’t a cross section of society. If they were, you could expect over 11% of them to be living under the poverty level, and you could expect one of them (0.2%) to be homeless.
Hidden-in-the-Trees Premium Member about 2 months ago
Good Grief…Leave the politics for another site for just once.
juicebruce about 2 months ago
A Republic if you can keep it …
Ninette about 2 months ago
A million isn’t that much anymore.
Acworthless about 2 months ago
And many of them became millionaires after being elected to Congress.
phredturner about 2 months ago
Duh
Guy from southern Indiana about 2 months ago
“Quasimodo predicted all this.” — Bobby Baccalieri, model train aficionado
MichiganMitten about 2 months ago
Ask yourself how they make that money after being elected.
Serial Pedant about 2 months ago
They came for my neighbor, and I said nothing. Then…
donlackie about 2 months ago
Laws, particularly taxes laws, are written by the rich, for the rich. That is why we do not have a flat tax
Slowly, he turned... about 2 months ago
It has been this way for a long time…
James Wolfenstein about 2 months ago
The royal court stole the country from the king. Maybe, technically, they weren’t all part of the royal court. Let’s say nobility. The colonial system is still in place, now you have the right to pick a king from the pool of royal jesters :D
Gen.Flashman about 2 months ago
Surprised it is as low as 5%, especially if millionaire=having a net worth of one million since in many locations having a house worth one million is not uncommon. “The most recent data from the Fed’s Survey of Consumer Finances comes from the end of 2022. If you wanted to be in the top 5% of households at that point, you would need a net worth of $3,795,000.”
GumbyDammit223 about 2 months ago
Mmmhmmm…..Goverment BY the people FOR the people. Has anybody heard that before?
bigger Nate about 2 months ago
More like they bought it
Ellis97 about 2 months ago
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
einarbt about 2 months ago
The US Empire, plutocracy in democratic clothing.
VICTOR PROULX about 2 months ago
Take profit out of government.
b.john71 about 2 months ago
Remember vote early… vote often!!
SFpagan about 2 months ago
If not them, then their spouses, friends, relatives, and major campaign donors
artegal about 2 months ago
For the love of all that is holy, please wait until GoComics reinstitutes commentary on political cartoons. There has to be some corner of the internet where we can take a break from all the toxicity (and I say that someone who enjoys pushing buttons and basking in the glow of the emotional meltdowns that follow).
STKnobb about 2 months ago
definition of “millionaire”?
tuliplover about 2 months ago
More like Robbing Hoods. Take from the poor and keep it for themselves. Then they justify it with religion, saying “God helps those who help themselves.” They’re helping themselves, alright. To our money.
waes-hael about 2 months ago
There’re lots of fixes needed to politics in regards to money, but, we are SUPPOSED to be electing the best, a facet which includes most successful, amongst us, so this stat tracks.
A bigger problem is that in 1787, a Congressperson represented about 50,000 people – that’s a ratio where, if one doesn’t know the candidate, personally, one knows someone who does. NOW that ratio is about about 1:760,000 – that’s anonymity.
Silence Dogood Premium Member about 2 months ago
Stay out of politics, Pastis, it just generates hate speech. Do something FUNNY! Please.
billdaviswords about 2 months ago
Sadly true. How is it that most of them are miillionaries (or quickly become millionaires after being elected)?
Perkycat about 2 months ago
Now ask about billionaires………..
John Jorgensen about 2 months ago
Yup.
minty_Joe about 2 months ago
With great power and privileges comes great responsibility. Just saying…
zeexenon about 2 months ago
Bye bye middle class … right on schedule.
Goat from PBS about 2 months ago
Time to overthrow the monarchy!
rugeirn about 2 months ago
Last I looked, there was only one senator who WASN’T a millionaire, or multi-millionaire, or more.
Sprarklin about 2 months ago
I think the real issue is how many people become millionaires AFTER they enter Congress and while they are serving in Congress.
AOC is one example. Far from the only example, but probably the one name most would recognize.
wildlandwaters about 2 months ago
recently saw a report on Jackson Hole, WY… if you’re just a millionaire, you’re kind of a peon. People who make hundreds of thousands a year hafta commute from Driggs, Idaho over a pass. The average home in Jackson is over 7 million. I remember going there as a kid almost 60 years ago… sleepy little town then. Fantastic skiing, tho… if you can afford it!
Strawberry King about 2 months ago
Dirty, rotten, stinkin’ rich!
braindead Premium Member about 2 months ago
Please remember to thank the Magat Supreme Court for virtually eliminating all bribes/campaign contributions.
And now, political payoffs.
We already know how much the Supremes love bribes.
markkahler52 about 2 months ago
Guess I’ll be the one to ask: Is Rat just now REALIZING this?!
Cameron1988 Premium Member about 2 months ago
This is true. This is very true
MFRXIM Premium Member about 2 months ago
I guess this snuck under their censorship radar. Ha ha!
Treehggr87 Premium Member about 2 months ago
America is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Everyone in office was elected. Don’t like them? Run for office. Nobody wants to help govern, they just like complaining that everyone is corrupt. You people are exhausting-
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 2 months ago
As Shakespeare said, the fault lies not in the stars, but ours.
Radish the wordsmith about 2 months ago
That’s why they give tax breaks to rich people and make you pay for it.
glh0001 about 2 months ago
Any elected official who spends more to get elected then the job pays should not be paid a salary.
Rich Douglas about 2 months ago
Not fair. The two populations are extremely different. You would expect a bunch of highly educated, highly talented people to also have and to create wealth.
jamie about 2 months ago
It’s all about insider trading. Ask Nancy Pelosi, that’s where she and her hubby acquired all their wealth.
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom about 2 months ago
You are exactly right, Mr. Pastis, and they have the ‘right’ to give themselves raises. The inmates are running the asylum.
Dacker Premium Member about 2 months ago
$1M isn’t what it used to be. Anyone over, say, 60-years-old who properly planned for retirement has a net worth over $1M and ideally closer to $2M.
powerhawk1956 about 2 months ago
And thus we would get a real representation. A Congress who understands by experience the needs of a society.