How are our politicians getting so rich?

With a maximum salary of $223,000 a year, it is amazing that several members of congress have become multi-millionaires while in congress. So how did they acquire all that money?

1. Bribes? You only need a quick google search to find an FBI sting operations where members of congress took bribes. (example: 1980 Washington Post article)

2. Influence Peddling? Remember Rod Blagojevich? He was caught extorting :

   1. A substantial salary for himself at either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

   2. Placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year.

   3. Promises of campaign funds—including cash up front.

   4. A Cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself to Serbia.

3. Insider Trading? In 2012, congress passed the STOCK Act (Public Law No: 112-105) which was supposed to stop our government officials from using insider knowledge to enrich themselves. According to "Businessinsider.com", 71 politicians have violated this law, and the normal penalty is $200. (if the penalty isn't waived by the Senate or House Ethics Committee). Because the 2012 law was so ineffective, congress is trying again in 2022 with the Bipartisan Ban on Congressional Stock Ownership Act of 2022.

We elected these people to work in our best interest. It seems that many of our elected representatives are working for themselves.