Comments about ‘Bennett, Hatch are loaded, but Chaffetz, Bishop not so much’

How is it that Orrin Hatch can get rich as a Senator?

This is the reaso that the people are not heard anymore. The longer they are in congress, the wealthier they become. The more they make, the more they focus on reelection rather than serving the people.

They generally don't get rich as a member of Congress; they're rich before they even run.

And though I can't stand Rep. Bishop...that's kind of sad, $3,500.00?

like the romans we will fall!!!

Sounds like those ranges for reporting must be pretty wide.
Bennett was heir to the Bennett Family paint company of Salt Lake, remember the ugly building that sat forever with busted out windows and was an environmental hazard. Not to mention being on the board of The Franklin Company (Day Planners etc.} when they went public about 15 years ago he pulled in a cool 30 mill. in stock that day.
As for Hatch, he's had a piece of every little penny stock deal that's come out of Utah county that's been connected to herbal or vitamin supplements etc. Look at his record for supporting that thriving industry. Can you say conflict of interest? Anybody recall that little land swap deal he put together with Snowbasin ski resort who was trying to build the Trappers Loop Road prior to the Olympics. One of the pieces of land that got swapped happened to be his own, but of course he said he had even forgotten he owned it.
WOW!!!

Whatever they make it is too much. It esd disclosed on the news that they actually work about 2 1/2 days a week in Washington. It was also disclosed that they have big fat expense accounts that also are a drain on taxpayers. Think of all the time they have taken to give away billions of our hard earned money. Quite frankly I am so disgusted with Washington and see no resemblance between our Founding Fathers and these rogues. It's a joke. I hope some of the losers like Chris Dodd, John Kerry and others get their butts kicked in the next election. I feel it coming.

Now let's think about this. Do you think that not living high on the hog, and making right lifestyle choices could have anything to do with our Utah Senators being financially successful? May I suggest a book for you to read? THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON suggests a plan to enrich your purse, Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous.

Hatch is weathly because of the bribes paid to him by the Heath Insurance companies. $943,000 last year alone. Shame on Mr. Hatch!!! Vote the man out of office! He doesn't work for the people, he works for who can pay him the most.

Yes, lots of people are pilining on the "rich" as if that's a bad thing these days. But this is still a land of opportunity where people can make their way and if they do well, good for them! I don't begrudge Hatch or bennett for their net worth. They've worked hard over many years in service to our state, and Bennett took risks as a businessman and it payed off. Good for them! Let's not be sucked into the marxist trap the Obama people are laying for our country, that somehow the rich are evil and we all have to be reduced to the lowest common denominator, and penalize success.

Stop and think about it. Would you really want a "loser" type or "n'er do well" being your Senator or Congressman? How about someone on welfare who really needed the job to eat? Shouldn't we want elected officials who have something to show for themselves?

It's common knowledge that members of Congress are generally rich going in, and that they could almost always make more money by staying in the private sector. So enough with the irrational babblings about the average Congressman getting rich by being in Congress.

Keeping our eye one the ball, are our representatives able to identify with the average citizen? Maybe some of them some of the time? Maybe not?

But that is the question to consider when you go to caucus and primaries (it's generally to late if you've waited for the general election).

You have the right name alright. That's the lamest defense ever for our self-serving congressmen and senators. However, elect someone on welfare, and just like Hatch they'll become a millionaire, too. His net worth is hundreds of times more than when he became a senator--did you have the same growth of net worth in that time? He's on salary, just like you. So, shouldn't we want elected officials who have something to show what they have done for us instead of for themselves?

To Anonymous: Current members of Congress are exactly like our founding fathers. Office holders have generally been much wealthier, elite members of society. Many founders thought that only property owners should be able to influence policy, vote etc. Where does this nostalgia about the 'good old days' come from? Perhaps we should all stop commenting and go study some history...

No, I want the average every day person that has hurt in life, that has life experiences when they go to represent me in congress.

The Senate. Seniority makes it worse. Hatch and Bennett are Washingtonians, not Utahs.

This is a surprise, why?

Throw the bums out.

Hatch is not really that wealthy. He has a home in Virginia that is modest and has appreciated over 30 years (probably has no mortgage now) to more than 3 times its initial price. But the categories are very broad and tend to exaggerate the worth of many members. If you have a property in the $500K to $1M range that is really just over $500K they give you credit for $1M.

One poster said he wanted average guys in Congress. I want guys that have shown they are achievers in life, guys (or gals) that have shown they can solve problems. Hatch had all of that. He grew up poor, worked his way through school, raised six kids, etc... Because over his life he has made some good investments and accumulated a little for retirement is no reason to criticize him. And if you do you should look in the mirror and ask yourself it your are a hypocrite. Disagreeing with someone politically is one thing, but to criticize them for having money is just the green eyed monster showing in your own eyes.

I would love to see their Tithing Settlement statements.

and now that no one if running against Bennett we are going to be stuck with this old, do nothing senator for four more years. Gag me with a spoon. Does this figure include the religious book he wrote so the Mormons would vote for him again.

Yes, I know they feel my pain.