This is a question that is very relevant given the fact that 200 members of Congress are millionaires and Congress also got 25 percent richer during the recession interestingly.

This might actually be a matter of coincidence though. Most members of Congress have left the business world and are really static investors. It is interesting to note that conservative investments performed much better than placing bets in the stock market or holding more speculative items in a portfolio.

On the other hand, some members of Congress do have negative net worth and this doesn’t necessarily make them more dependable. I feel that being in a capitalist country it is great that one should be successful in a profession such as a doctor, lawyer or businessman before coming to Congress rather than the other way round.

The question on most people’s minds is why would somebody with a lot of money want to go and burden themselves with the problems in Congress. The clear cut answer that most of these politicians give is that it is a sense of duty and an attempt at contributing to the greater good.

I think I buy it and I would prefer a successful person running the country rather than someone who didn’t. The competition to get into Congress should be high and this is more of a good thing than a bad thing. The solution should be to give the members of the House a four year term. Elections are great because it keeps politicians accountable, but having them too often would mean the politicians are unable to get where they wanted to.