The New Class

@kazetnagorra said
Dutch MPs are mandated by law to publicly notify any gifts received and any business interests they might have according to the Wet schadeloosstelling leden Tweede Kamer.

https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0004939/2019-04-10

Most of them just have their salary as only income and any journalist would jump at the opportunity to crucify any politician who is perceived as ...[text shortened]... gifted him an apartment. No conflict of interest was determined, but it was perceived as unethical.

Ain't just the politicians. "The wealthiest 10% of households own 84% of all stocks—and that includes pension plans, 401(k) accounts and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) as well as trust funds, mutual funds and college savings programs like 529 plans. That means 90% of American households own the remaining 16% of all stock. When the pyramid scheme (stock market) collapses there is going to be hell on earth.

@kquinn909 said
Ain't just the politicians. "The wealthiest 10% of households own 84% of all stocks—and that includes pension plans, 401(k) accounts and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) as well as trust funds, mutual funds and college savings programs like 529 plans. That means 90% of American households own the remaining 16% of all stock. When the pyramid scheme (stock market) collapses there is going to be hell on earth.

But always remember, if there was corruption today's media would let us know!

LOL!!

@mghrn55 said
Peanuts

@eladar said
I am not a political leader. Funny how the US is more transparent and less corrupt than Europe. That is saying a lot.

@wolfgang59 said
Funny how you pluck facts from thin air.
Just saying.

@eladar said
The fact is that you know how wealthy US politicians are. The corruption is transparent. This is a step above countries that do not disclose how rich their politicians are.

@wolfgang59 said
In the US it is a huge advantage to be rich before becoming a politician!
Therefore most US politicians are rich.

In Europe if you reach the higher echelons of politics you make money on
book deals, journalism, tv punditry and sitting on various boards of directors.

So what?

Here is how one guy put it...

Americans may not have much faith in their representatives, but you can say this for them: The people Americans elect are pretty good at choosing what to do with their own money. Investments range from the mundane (Johnny Isakson, Bank of America) to the trendy (Jared Polis, Uber) to the wacky (Alan Grayson, memorabilia authentication). Who will top next year’s list? It’s too soon to tell, but Darrell Issa has a commanding lead. And as any member can tell you, incumbency is a powerful advantage.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi10-3YvcfjAhVTgp4KHf8nBVwQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.[WORD TOO LONG]

@kazetnagorra said
Not every European accepts the blatant corruption of politicians like Americans do.

@eladar said
You are such a trusting fool.

@whodey said
I'm sorry, which country was Nazi Germany from again?

LMAO!

@eladar said
The fact is that you know how wealthy US politicians are. The corruption is transparent. This is a step above countries that do not disclose how rich their politicians are.

Straightforward solution: give politicians a good annual salary - and prohibit them for the term of office from accepting absolutely all other incomes. No trusteeships or advisory roles, no columns in newspapers, nothing.

Then we'd also know exactly how much our politicians' earn, since the fixed salary of MPs is publicly available information:

https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/pay-mps/