To the editor:

A friend suggested I could reach more people on the right if I didn’t just rail against Trump’s criminalities and cruelty and, instead, made an effort to point out some of the questionable behaviors and business dealings of the left-leaning politicians in the House and the Senate.

I first balked at the notion that MAGA could be reached because they seem to be immune to reason and have been adamant not to admit to being wrong in their over-the-top zeal for the convicted felon. I did agree that I could examine the outrageous financial accumulations of Democrats and Republicans alike.

I have to admit that the gaudy net worths of most of our elected public servants strain the bounds of credulity when you consider that members of the House and Senate earn $174,000 salaries and can earn another $33,000 from outside sources. The rules of whether or not they may receive a reimbursement in lieu of an actual per diem gave me a headache. If they’re collecting more money over and above their salaries, it is cleverly obscured in a labyrinth of legalese. As for their insurance, they used to have a sweetheart deal that outshone the ACA insurance plan of which they are now a part. Interesting!

These salaries and perks shouldn’t have our politicians becoming millionaires overnight. But I looked up one of President Trump’s favorite targets. Ilhan Omar’s financial disclosure when she took office in 2019 was a -$45,001. Five years later her 2024 financial disclosure shows her household net worth between $6 million and $30 million. That’s an eye-popping figure.

Then I researched Speaker Mike Johnson’s net worth. When he started in early 2017, his net worth was shown to be -$32,501. Now his net worth isn’t shown in real time, but it’s speculated his net worth is in the millions. (I picked a winner here.) Why isn’t his net worth reported? It sounds as if he’s not very transparent, rather like you know whom.

The greed is pervasive. Trump is just the worst.

Keith R. Klawitter

Morgan