In our chapter on Congress, we discuss the question of whether lawmakers should constitute an exact mirror image of the population. As The Daily Item (PA) reports, there may actually be some advantages to having wealthy lawmakers:
Of the 19 Pennsylvanians who will enter the U.S. House in the 112th Congress -- those who while stumping forced down hot dogs at July 4 picnics and swilled beer at Oktoberfests -- six incumbents are millionaires, and two incoming Republicans are tipping the pay scale well above seven figures.
Wealthier politicians may be able to better relate to those in lower economic classes because they can concentrate solely on their constituency -- instead of those whose financial backing they would have needed to get elected.
So says a Bloomsburg University political science professor.
"It's a benefit to having money, because you don't need any outside help, so you don't have to owe anyone," Gloria Cohen-Dion said Friday. "Having the ability to have an impact is what makes one powerful."
Newcomers Mike Kelly, of northwestern Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, is worth $17 million; and Lou Barletta, Hazleton, who will represent the state's 11th District, is worth more than $1 million, according to recent financial disclosure statements.
Democrat Paul Kanjorski, who lost to Barletta, is leaving office with about $6.5 million.
And Chris Carney, of Dimock, who fell to Republican Tom Marino in the 10th Congressional District race, has $500,000 -- about $150,000 more than he had when he was first elected in 2006.
"I think it is a mistake to assume that an individual's personal wealth or success, or lack of it, would prevent him or her from being able to relate to people of all walks," said Marino, himself in the middle of the pack of Pennsylvania's next U.S. representatives at around $620,000.
"If we are true representatives, then those of us who campaigned 'from Main Street' will remain in tune with all residents of our districts," said Marino, of Cogan Station, Lycoming County. "Main Street is a diverse place where you'll find blue-collar workers and professionals, the unemployed and business owners."
Cohen-Dion agrees with Marino.
"I think most public servants go in to office because they care," Cohen-Dion said....Henriet Hendriks, an assistant professor of political science at Susquehanna University, said the more money, the better the government.
"If a person has money entering office, it makes it easier on them to concentrate on government," Hendriks said.
"They don't have to worry about pleasing people to donate to their campaigns," Hendriks said. "Because it is a two-year term, many people start campaigning right away once they are elected to assure more money, whereas that isn't the case when a person has personal wealth."
