Lawmakers of both parties are hunting for ways to raise tax revenue as part of a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. But they should stay away from touching the mortgage interest tax deduction, warns the U.S. housing industry, lest they throw a wrench the long-sputtering economic recovery.
Congressmen, lobbyists, and car salesmen have some of the worst reputations for honesty and ethics, as do business execs, stock brokers and real estate agents. And there's a reason why: The rules of their games are stacked against good behavior.
Mitt Romney's net worth: $200 million. Barack Obama's response to Romney's claim that he's "out of touch" with the concerns of ordinary Americans: Priceless. "I bought my first car for about $900," said Obama. "It had a big hole in the floor that allowed you to see the road, so I knew my wife wasn't marrying me for my money."
Approximately 60% of first-year U.S. senators and 40% of House of Representatives freshmen are worth at least $1 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That makes them far richer than most of the Americans they represent: Just 1% of the country's population has reached the $1 million mark.
Despite a market meltdown, the men and women of Congress posted a 16% gain collectively between 2008 to 2009, according to a study by the Center for Responsive Politics. Another finding: virtually half of Congressional members are millionaires, including eight mega-millionaires.
What companies have shelled out the most to America's political campaigns? Using data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, we've created a top-10 list, offering a look at the candidates they support, the issues that concern them and their lobbying habits.