Renacci for Congress
Just an ordinary multimillionaire running for Congress.
The Hill published its list of the 50 richest members of Congress today. In addition to a pile of wealthy Democrats in the Senate, you'll find a pile of wealthy Tea Party freshmen:
One-fifth of the 50 richest members of Congress are freshman House Republicans sent to Washington last year with strong Tea Party support, according to The Hill’s 50 Wealthiest for 2011.
Among them is Ohio Congressman Jim Renacci, who tops the freshmen GOP list with a fortune estimated at $35.9 million. Mr. Renacci made his money running nursing homes.
Whatever narrative the Tea Party is selling about government for the rest of us, it's still government by the wealthiest of us.
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So....what's the issue here? It's bad to make money? Bad to know how to save money? You want someone in charge that knows how to run a business and have experience making money? I do. Why is being successful a bad thing or a negative?
What's at issue is the need for to have a political system that doesn't require someone to be a millionaire in order to get elected. Otherwise, you end up with people who sell their votes to the highest bidder and will only serve the rich, corporations and special interests.
You don't want that, now do you, eric!?
Government is not a business. Nor should it be run as a business. Making money does not translate to proper policy considerations.
No CL, but I do want someone experienced in running a company or experience in the business field and the value of a dollar.
You want that don't you CL?
This post made me giggle
The Mouzer, I was about to say lay off the pipe, but what the hell, smoke away and giggle all you can.
Mike, all Gov't shouldn't be run like a business, but certain aspects should have that background. The farther a dollar can stretch, the more you can do with it.
or the farther a dollar can stretch the crappier the quality of that is. and just because I CAN pay an employee $.33/hr sure as hell doesn't mean I should.
when I elect someone, i want them in office because they want to make a difference and make the world a better place, not a place that is better for their friends to make money.
The Government of the People is NOT a business. The last two "businessmen" we had running the country ran it into Iraq & Afghanistan. Now we're stuck there and the Russians are laughing up their sleeves. We are even financing the insurgency with our own millions when thqat money could be put to better use back home. Remember, it was the businessmen who put the financial welfare of this nation where it is today!
Making money does not translate to providing quality services. A private company wants to deliver a product or service that is the cheapest whereas a government must provide services that are EFFECTIVE in addressing a problem. We should not assume that a successful business person has the qualities necessary to carry out government functions. That assumption is false and in fact, these business people presume government is inefficient and ineffective, to wit, Republicans like Romney and Perry. The latter has cut Texas's budget, but the quality of the services are some of the worst in the nation.
I want to know about the person and how they made their fortune. Did they do it honestly? Or did they do it by swindling, legal or otherwise? Did they take advantage of huge tax breaks and subsidies to make a profit (at the expense of the taxpayers) that they otherwise would not have received? Did they do it by paying their employees rock-bottom unlivable wages, here or in other countries? Did they do it by poisoning the environment and shuttling the cost of said poisoning onto others? Did they do it by outright stealing made quasi-legal by loopholes? In other words, if someone has made a fortune by running a business honestly and morally, and then wants to take that experience and translate it into helping to govern this country honestly and morally, then I can accept that. However, if they earned their money through dishonesty, immoral and corrupt behavior, then they shouldn't be allowed within 100 miles of a government position. Unfortunately, we're in a situation in this country where dishonesty, immorality and corruption are rewarded. Sickening, isn't it?
Great post. Thanks Mary.
The problem, Eric, is that the Tea Party purports itself to be a grassroots movement of ordinary citizens to change the way Washington works. This article is evidence that the movement is neither grassroots ordinary citizens, as they are represented by multimillionaires, or that they are bringing any substantial change to Washington, as they are actually very similar to the previously elected official.
Because they are voting to protect their own interests--
You guys can talk facts and make sense all you want.....Right Wing Doctrine has a fail safe mechanism....It's called Denial!!!!!!!!.....You will never defeat it. We must make sure they do not breed.....(I just saying).....save your breath....
Looks like of the Top 10 wealthiest in congress about 7 out of 10 are democrats. So why do the liberals keep voting in those evil rich bstrds?
And the top 20 are even...again Katy's only point is to call liberals "evil bastards".
No value comment as per expectations.
At the barest of it's essence, the Tea Party phenomenon can be distilled down to two things: Wealthy people convincing poor people to vote against their own self interests, and some people playing on the latent and inarticulable discomfort of too many who are irrationally unhappy with a black president.
We - all salient and socially aware people - knew such things before this report, but thanks for the back-up.
Dude....that was poetry.....in motion.....and would make a Hell of a bumper sticker....(I'll buy the first one)
Great way of explaining things...thanks.....
Profound even.
Nobody said it is bad to be successful or to make money. The question is whether people in the upper income brackets have the sensibility or experience to properly represent the majority of Americans. A Congress of the wealthy is going to legislate on behalf of wealthy intersets more so than they will legislate to benefit the majority of the people. This is human nature and this is what has been happening. DC operates in a bubble separated from the reality of middle america and legislates accordingly. It seems much more difficult to be elected if you are not wealthy or if you do no represent wealthy interests. In that regard our government has become deeply flawed and unrepresentative of its people. In that sense there is something wrong with sending more wealthy people to Congress.
Well stated...
Well put Steve. Thank you for that articulation. We need people in Congress to represent others, ie. middle and lower class Americans, not just wealthy and corporations. Too many in power have forgotten about the majority of America.
The person I want to be elected is a **smart** person, and I don't care how much money they have. Problem in politics is that lately, being rich trumps being smart, and that is not a good path to be on. I really think it's a bad, bad idea.
meet the new boss... same as the old boss...
The problem here is not that wealthy people are getting elected. The problem is that wealthy people are getting elected to get wealthier profiteering off the backs of taxpaying Americans.
I want people that can run a business and can keep track of numbers but I want them to remember who they truly work for and who voted them in...Not who funded their campaign Super PACs.
we need people that think and act in the best interest of the nation as a whole. Whether rich or poor, black or green is irrelevant. It is very unfortunate that politicians falter among the pressures of party lines and lobbyists contributions. It is clear today that the Great Obstructionist Party places political self interest before you and me. One thing is for sure : "authority without reason results in resentment " and that will become clear in 2012.
I find it interesting that the tea partiers want less government in
their lives yet how did the congressman from Indiana (renicci)
make his millions, owning and running nursing homes. I'm sure he di
didn't turn down any of the federal funding that came his way.
Thanks medicare and medicaid funds.
My thoughts as well, he made his fortune from the government he complains about and wants to abolish medicare that helped to make him a multi millionaire. I doubt very much any of this TP congress people have any origional thoughts or ideas, someone else is running the show.
There is no problem with making money, there is a problem with a "grassroots" movement that pretends to be for working people who elect people of elite interests. You can be wealthy or well-to-do and still care about the general population, but the yahoos in the "Tea Party" (which is nothing more than a caucus of the Republican party, therefore doesn't merit the party title) are voting for and fielding candidates that are elite, and make their money in ways that don't represent the common population. It is called hypocrisy. That's the issue, not making money.
yes, it's bad to make excessive money at the unjustified expense of others. try looking at the new florida governer & as ceo he paid a fine of how many $ for bilking the fed gov out of nursing home payments? yes, it's bad to save money by bribing congress for special tax treatment & leave the rest of us to pay the bills. Bernie Madoff also knew how to run a business.
It is ok to be conservative, but not to a fault ,and that is what I see with the Tea Party,our country is litteraly falling apart,our Roads and Bridges are crumbling our electric grid is failing ,in the last ten years we have deteriated ,while the government has spent trillions on making the rich even richer,we the working class need someone who will be there for us , just give us jobs and we will do the rest!
How can the government give you jobs? Obama's hands are tied by Congress and he gets the blame for the economy. We've got to get control of Congress and give him a chance to help the country.
"Country before politics"
I think Britain has a much better campaign philosophy for their elected officials. Three months of campaigning, and a ceiling on campaign spending.
Our current representatives in congress have hijacked our country, to make way for a fascist plutocracy. These politicians are purchased by the mega-corporations to do their bidding.
And no, making money is not a bad thing in itself, but it is, when it is done on the backs of the working poor. For example, not paying a living wage, and reaping huge benefits for the company and CEO's.
It would be interesting to see the condition of Mr. Renacci's nursing homes, and what he pays his employees, and what he requires of them.
Why don't the Tea Partiers pass a bill to stop the lobbying? If they were coming to DC to clean house, that would be a great place to start.
Since the TPs are NOT career politicians there's a lot they could do to stop the "good ole boy" way of governing...like passing their own pay raises.
Come on, Tea Partiers! Do something that will really make a difference or get out of the way!
Mr. Renacci made his money running nursing homes. What a friggin two-faced prick! Where do you think most of the money that runs nursing homes comes from? MEDICARE!
Also from Medicaid. They're OK with big government when they profit from it but not when anyone else does.
I wish Rachel would come up with a political idealogy chart, something simple, for those who are, well, NOT informed. I'm not going to say ignorant.
Here's the reason; we had a girlie night get to-gether and after a few drinky stinkys, we always start talking about politics. And only 2 out of 7, really knows their own ideology re: politics. One of the seven says, "well, I'm a democrat, but I really like Romney, he's got my vote." Two others chime in, they agree! One has a husband that's a union worker, but she says she's against unions, "they harbor lazy workers." What? and WTF?
I see this as a big problem and also why republicans are getting elected, uniformed get to VOTE!! And they don't have a clue as to who they are. I come up with a few questions... abortion, gun control, health care, unions and then I get accused of being bossy pants. "Don't raise your voice bossy pants!" I say, well, if your for X,Y & Z, why in hell would you vote for a republican?
I've known these girls for 50 years and I know if they just knew "who they were" they'd all be liberal dems. But for now, they see no problem tuning in to Fox and Friends.
I think you and I have the same 7 friends (I've also known mine for 50 years+); so that makes you and I the "2" who know who we are.
We're in deep doo doo - kill me now and put me out of their misery!
Let's just take the sob's out!
I don't have a problem with somebody becoming rich by working hard. I do have reservations about somebody who inherits wealth and hasn't had to work for it getting into a position to govern others. It is unlikely that person will have empathy for the majority of the people of this country. I do have a problem with somebody becoming wealthy by running a company which pays the lowest wages possible for the people who actually do the work of the company, as though they weren't really important to the success of the company. A business man I know, who works really hard running his company, told me about the private owner of a chain of big box stores: The owner is a billionaire, but my friend said, you'll never see any new cars in the workers' parking lot because most people who work there are at or just above minimum wage. And I know that this is true because my son was a personnel manager there for awhile and did the pay roll. He was truly shocked at what the long time managers made.
I think the point to be made is that the Tea Party touts itself as a 'grass roots' common folk party, but they are mostly a party of white wealthy religious right bats... crazy wingnuts.
These Tea party people have been around and as Rachel has reported they are mostly what used to be called 'the Moral Majority' back in the Jerry Falwell days.
The 2012 Presidential election is the Republicans to lose. With high unemployment no Democratic President could win against such dire economic realities. If the Republicans lose - they will have the Tea Party to thank.
That's a good point Tom.
The truth is even though we might think business experience would be helpful, it's just a small piece:
1. The government can never run like a business when it is the top contributor to help fight hunger in Somalia, fight in Iraq and Afghanistan at the same time, fund emergency relief for natural disasters, assist disabled citizens, etc. etc.
2. Economics is much more useful even though among economists they don't agree on everything. Charisma, leadership, fund raising skills may not be at the top of their resume.
3. Intelligence, open minded and compassion...these are the qualities I look for in a president. Then you need to be able to educate the American people without demeaning them so they can recognize the 'Tom Foolery' or ignorance of the current Republican candidates and someone who is speaking from a knowledge base of understanding supported by well informed staff.
Tea Party: "Don't spend money on poor people. Cut my taxes even though I could afford paying my fair share."
What would Jesus do? I guess @!$%# over the poor.
To the discussion about America being run like a business:
There are very specific services that SHOULD NEVER be run with a profit motive attached in any way.
These services are the minimum a Government should provide in exchange for taxes. If a private entity provides these services, their first priority (legally) must be the interest of the shareholders, not the recipients of these services. A Government returns any profit or surplus right back to the system and to the people.
Second to the list above are all the frills we enjoy as a first world country:
To my point:
Our Congress, both local and federal are whores who have sold this country to the highest bidder. The speaker of the house was caught handing out BRIBES from tobacco companies on the floor of congress in exchange for votes on a bill! He should be in jail for treason. So should any politician who takes money from a special interest group to sway his vote. That is called a bribe. In any other industry, you go to jail for such actions.
@BuddyRoemer is getting my vote in the Republican Primary. If companies are individuals, then they should be held to the same financial limits we are, $2500 in contributions to a politician. Ban PACS - SuperPACS
Sorry for going off on a rant a bit there, but this is terrifyingly ridiculous!
Did anyone see Buddy Roemer on the Daily Show earlier this week? He's Talking about the same thing, it is his biggest issue. You literally have to have a ton of doe to run for office, or they won't even let you in the door, much less on the stage. And if you can't get the exposure, you can't raise the money...wait for it..unless you already have the money! YAY! You need what, a 100 mil to run for Governor, a billion to run for the White House? And the worse part is...us, you and I, are the only ones to blame. The voters. And our lazy friends and family who are more concerned with the NFL than reality who don't even vote, and don't participate in our democracy. They just mooch off of our freedoms, and do NOTHING to pay back what America has done for them. That is just as bad as the greedy pigs on top who act like OCD crackheads in their nonstop pursuit of mo' money mo' money mo' money, and the bottom feeders killing America with a death by 1,000 cuts, doing nothing to improve their lives or looking for work or contributing to society and just suck off the udder getting free healthcare, free rent, free heat and electric, free cell phones and free food. The entrenched establishment on the left like Waters, Rangel and Pelosi pander to their base and protect the lazy welfare cheats, and the radical right like Cantor, McConnell, DeMint, and the tea party pander to their base and protect the ultra wealthy and megahuge international corporations for whom every advantage isn't enough, who don't pay taxes, and who invest their money overseas and then ship Jobs there. WAKE up. It is our faults. Yours and Mine. Time to do something about it. TERM LIMITS AND GET THE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS :)
The Radical Right is betting on China. That is where they invest their money, and do their hiring, and pay their taxes. That is why they see no need to invest in education for instance. No need for educated people in America anymore, you just need to be smart enough to sew shoes and make crappy knickknacks to sell to the New America, the consumer class, the middle class, in China. If you were deaf and could not hear the rhetoric and talking points, and could only judge the GOP course on their actions, this could be your only conclusion