With the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, Americans are finally aware of some of the corruption that has been prevalent throughout Washington DC for decades, (but probably a lot longer than that).
The exposure has been an eye-opening experience for most Americans. Seeing the result of DOGE's efforts is increasing the levels of anger among the people who are tired of all the corruption in DC. It is appalling to realize that as Americans struggle, top politicians cash in.
It's amazing to me that over the last few weeks we have witnessed many of our politicians screaming at every chance they get about Elon Musk and the DOGE team. The outrage is palpable. I cannot understand how anyone would be against identifying waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. It’s crazy to think that uncovering these things is anything but beneficial to our country. People against DOGE are failing to see that they are rooting against their own self-interests. It's crazy!
Since we now know about the corruption that has been uncovered, we understand what all the tantrums are about. Politicians have been using taxpayer dollars to enrich themselves and of course, they don't want the money train to stop. By the way, we shouldn’t be surprised at their adversity to DOGE because it’s always been an enigma as to how our politicians are worth millions of dollars on a yearly salary of $174,000.
So, how do these politicians cash in? There are several ways. One way in particular is creating “organizations” or “foundations” as fronts for the "betterment of society." They use social justice movements like climate change or child hunger to make their organizations and foundations appear legitimate.
Stacey Abrams
Let's look at two-time Georgia gubernatorial candidate loser, Stacey Abrams for example. Last week DOGE discovered that a $2 billion U.S. government grant was awarded to a nonprofit organization linked to Stacey Abrams called Power Forward Communities.
According to their website, Power Forward Communities makes the claim that they are "the first national program to finance home energy efficient upgrades at scale, saving Americans thousands of dollars on their utility bills every year." Notice how they claim to be working for us, the American people? Give me a break.
The Biden Administration's Environmental Protection Agency awarded this organization the $2 Billion grant in April 2024. Power Forward Communities announced the receipt of this grant on their website and ironically received the enormous funding even though they had only been in operation for a few months. In fact, according to tax filings, Power Forward Communities reported a mere $100.00 in total revenue during its first three months of operation.
It must be nice to start an organization with $100.00 and end up receiving $2 BILLION from the government within months of inception. That doesn't sound shady in the least, does it?
Sheldon Whitehouse
Now we'll take a look at Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. Whitehouse has been a staunch adversary of DOGE and now we know why. Apparently, Whitehouse has backed legislation that funneled millions of dollars into a non-profit organization called Ocean Conservancy. It just so happens that Sheldon's wife, Sandra has worked for this group as their Senior Policy Advisor since 2008.
Ocean Conservancy claims that they are "working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it." Again, here's another organization doing what's in the best interest of humanity. I'm sure they are!
Reports claim that Ocean Conservancy has received more than $14.2 million in federal grants since 2008 and according to tax documents, Sandra Whitehouse has received a total of $2,686,800 either directly or through her firm.
On February 24, 2025 an ethics watchdog organization called the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust sent a letter to Senator James Lankford, Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, outlining the ethics violations committed by Whitehouse. It must be nice to be able to make sure that money flows to your own family unhindered.
To date there is no outcome from this watchdog's letter. (See full page letter below).
Different Ways Politicians Cash In
Aside from their salaries, politicians can and do make money in various ways while in office - both legally and illegally.
Legal Ways Politicians Make Money
Book Deals: Many politicians write books or even memoirs in order to make money.
Investments: Politicians often make investments in the stock market, real estate, and other business deals.
Speaking Engagements: While in office and even after serving, politicians earn money through paid speaking engagements. Some paying as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Consulting and Lobbying: Politicians use their connections and experience to become consultants or lobbyists once they leave office.
Campaign Contributions: As long as they follow regulations, politicians can legally use leftover campaign funds for personal expenses. (This is why they never seem to suspend or end their campaigns once they see no path to election).
Illegal Ways Politicians Make Money
Bribery: Accepting money or gifts in exchange for political favors or decisions. (I'm sure this happens more than we care to acknowledge).
Campaign Finance Violations: Misappropriating funds from campaign contributions or government resources. (Many have been accused of this crime but they never seem to pay any penalties).
Kickbacks: Receiving a portion of money from contracts or deals made while in office. (Not uncommon and not discussed out in the open - See Big Pharma, USAID, etc.)
Fraud: Engaging in schemes to defraud government programs or misrepresenting financial information. (See above examples - Abrams and Whitehouse)
Money Laundering: Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money to make it appear legitimate. (Think war in Ukraine, USAID and also "book deals")
Insider Trading: Using information that is not available to the public but is received based on political position in order to make profitable trades in investments and stocks.
By the way, members of Congress are immune from the crime of insider trading. Although bills have been presented to prevent insider trading, you'll be shocked to know that to date, none have been passed. They are not supposed to partake in insider trading, but let's all admit that we know they do.
The current bill that has been introduced by Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is S.3504 - Banning Insider Trading in Congress Act. Time will tell if our members of Congress will be held to the same standards as the American people.
Politicians Cashing In - Net Worth
While DOGE continues to expose waste, fraud, abuse and corruption the question remains... how do American politicians who make $174,000 a year end up becoming multi-millionaires?
Let's take a look at some politicians whose net worth is impressive but definitely sketchy .
Nancy Pelosi
While former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi has been in politics for most of her adult life there is no way on her salary that she could be worth $165 million. In fact, Grant Cardone stated that it would take 1500 years for Pelosi to accumulate the millions she possesses solely based on her current salary.
Perhaps it's Nancy's amazing ability to successfully predict the stock market and buy and sell accordingly that she was able to become so rich? She should write a book. It would certainly be a best seller!
Chuck Schumer
Senate Minority leader, Chuck Schumer has also been able to cash in on his career in politics. His net worth is an impressive $75 million. I wonder if he takes stock advice from his buddy, Nancy? Maybe it's just that he is very good at saving every penny he has earned.
Mitch McConnell
The former Senate Majority leader (thankfully he stepped down from his role this year!) shows a net worth of $95 million. I wonder how many back room deals Mitch has made over the course of the last 40 years he's been in politics. He always seems to go against his party...
NOTE: These first three politicians - Pelosi, Schumer and McConnell - all have one thing in common besides being extremely wealthy. All have held the highest leadership positions in their Congressional branch. Don't forget, with position comes influence. We can all follow the money.
Elizabeth Warren
Senior Senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren has not only spoken out against DOGE, but was a major mouth piece against Robert Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for HHS Secretary. With a net worth of $73 million, it is no surprise that she would be nervous about losing all the money she receives from Big Pharma.
Warren is always proclaiming that she is for the "average American" while she continues to cash checks. In fact, she even lied about her heritage to gain position. Politics sure has it's monetary benefits!
I could present several more cases of wealthy politicians, but you get the gist. This is just the tip of the iceberg where millionaire politicians are concerned. As of 2020, over 50% of the members of Congress were millionaires with the median net worth being approximately $1 million. The original documents for each member's net worth disclosure are available to the public on a database website maintained by Open Secrets.
Final Thoughts
Many politicians exploit their positions of power to enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers. By leveraging their influence, they secure lucrative deals, insider information, and access to opportunities that the average citizen could never dream of having.
Whether through stock investments, favorable contracts, or connections that lead to personal financial gain, these individuals often use their "public service" as a way to accumulate wealth. It's beyond troubling because it undermines public trust and reveals the fact that those in power prioritize their own personal gain over the well-being of the people they are supposed to serve. It's an unfortunate reality that while Americans struggle, top politicians cash in.
The light in all of this is thankfully we now have DOGE to expose the corruption. It will be exciting to see what comes out next.
Blessings,
Amy
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