They want us to believe that expecting rich people to pay their fair share of taxes is a job-killing, economic mistake. But that\u2019s not the real reason some members of Congress don\u2019t like President Obama\u2019s \u201cBuffett Rule.\u201d Their opposition has a lot to do with their own personal finances, because 48 percent of Congress members are, themselves, millionaires. [Only 1 percent of all Americans are millionaires.]<\/p>\n

Here are some facts about millionaires in Congress, as compiled by The Agenda Project<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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• 55 members of Congress have an average wealth of $10 million and 8 members have an average wealth of $100+ million<\/li>\n
• During the worst part of the recession 2008-2009, the median wealth of a congressional member rose $125K<\/li>\n
• The median wealth of a House member is $700,000+, while the median wealth for a senator was over $2 million<\/li>\n
• 5 of the 6 Republican members of the new Super Committee for the Budget are millionaires.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  More specifically, check out this enlightening chart listing the 136 members of Congress who oppose the Buffett Rule<\/a>, plus each millionaire\u2019s net worth.<\/p>\n

  On the other side of this discussion are the Patriotic Millionaires for fiscal responsibility<\/a>, whose website lists 120 individuals and couples who now or previously have had annual incomes of $1 million or more, and who have signed onto a letter that says, in part:<\/p>\n

  Our country faces a choice \u2013 we can pay our debts and build for the future, or we can shirk our financial responsibilities and cripple our nation\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n

  Our country has been good to us. It provided a foundation through which we could succeed. Now, we want to do our part to keep that foundation strong so that others can succeed as we have.<\/p>\n

  Please do the right thing for our country. Raise our taxes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

  The Agenda Project also has released a series of [IMHO] very effective, 30-second videos that bring home the message: Millionaire politicians\u2014whose pictures flash on the screen\u2014are opposing the Buffett rule to benefit themselves rather than the country. Here\u2019s one. Pass it on.
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