To the editor:

After being prodded to question the shady financial shenanigans of our elected leaders and not just vent my loathing for (president) residing in what’s left of the White House, I’ve been appalled at the fortunes these so-called public servants have amassed during their tenures. When I Googled some Republican and Democrat representatives, I was curious as to why some of these people’s net-worth figures were readily available and others were…let’s say…not so transparent. As a for instance for the latter, one representative had some varying figures listed but also showed that he had failed to file his income disclosure in 2022 by the deadline, at which time he requested a 90-day extension. In 2025 his disclosure figures show a smattering of assets with no concrete total. It must be too hard to cipher those numbers that reach into seven figures.

Others like Nancy Pelosi show a wide range of possible net worths. I was most curious to learn what exactly her husband added to the household’s worth. Paul Pelosi is identified as a “venture capitalist.” Rather than guess what in the hell that is, I looked it up, and it’s precisely what I’d imagined. A venture capitalist finances small businesses for equity (ownership)…it sounds like loan-sharking. And they do this by operating with privileged, non-public information which some call “legalized insider trading.” Oh, I forgot to mention that Nancy Pelosi’s net worth in 1987 was $3 million, and in November this year it was reported between $275 million and $280 million.

I could go on to give examples of how our politicians have enriched themselves with their service to self, but you can Google it yourselves. Whether you do that or not is probably determined by your caring to find out the truth or the fact that you’re content to accept whatever lies 47 tells or his self-promotion on social media. The swamp needs draining. We don’t need a president wantonly breaking laws or enabling politicians…you know, “the swamp,” to become millionaires.

The system needs an overhaul. Where to start…?

Keith R. Klawitter

Morgan