Congress Members' Growing Wealth Separates Them From Constituents (for 12/26/11)

The average Congressional Representative's net worth in 1984 was $280,000. In 2009, it was $725,000. The average American's net worth went from $20,600 to $20,500 over that time. The inflation-adjusted cost of a winning campaign for a House Representative seat is now $1.4 million, four times what it was in 1976. Having great wealth often influences how come members of Congress vote on bills. The wealthiest members foten vote to protect the wealth of the very wealthy. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/growing-wealth-widens-distance-between-lawmakers-and-constituents/2011/12/05/gIQAR7D6IP_story.html