Fantasy vs Reality

Transcript is in the earlier diary (0.00 / 0)

By tparty, here:

http://www.myleftnut...

---

by: Scarce @ Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 03:25:31 AM UTC

he's really losing it, isn't he (0.00 / 0)

someone should put together a montage of Chris' greatest moments of explosive insanity.

---

by: tparty @ Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 03:32:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

He's always been a Bush/Republican apologist (0.00 / 0)

..and he's been saying crazy things for years, at least since the Clinton era. But now he's just eliciting derisive laughs from his fellow congressman and rolling of eyes when he speaks.

---

by: Scarce @ Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 03:55:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

He's also not too smart about money (0.00 / 0)

looks like a skimpy retirement in his future

WASHINGTON — When it comes to saving for retirement, Rep. Christopher Shays is right there with the solid majority of Americans with little in the bank.
Shays and his wife, Betsi, have socked away less than $32,000 in various bank accounts, according to his congressional financial disclosure statement for 2006 that was released publicly Thursday.

Beyond that, Shays listed ownership of a recreational vehicle — worth between $15,000 and $50,000 — as his biggest asset.

Around 65 percent of Americans have saved less than $50,000 for their retirement. Older Americans do better than younger, but just over half of those aged 55 and older have saved less than $50,000, according to financial advisers The Motley Fool. The financial reports include itemized assets in a range of value so there is no way to determine the exact worth of an individual member of Congress. The reports also do not include housing other than rental properties.

Shays, 61, listed the RV because he rented it to his 2006 campaign earning between $5,000 and $15,000, according to the disclosure statement. He actually earned $10,822 from the rental in 2006, according to his campaign's financial statement. Shays, who served in the state General Assembly, received $1,800 in retirement benefits.

Shays, who earns $165,200 a year representing Connecticut's 4th District, owns two homes that are not included in his disclosure report. His Bridgeport home has an assessed value of $384,044 and his townhouse in Washington is valued at $450,680.

---

by: Sue @ Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 11:20:11 AM UTC

2 words: Billy Tauzin (0.00 / 0)

WASHINGTON — Retiring Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., who stepped down earlier this year as chairman of the House committee that regulates the pharmaceutical industry, will become the new president and CEO of the drug industry's top lobbying group.
...
Public Citizen, a non-profit consumer advocacy group, called Tauzin's hiring "yet another example of how public service is leading to private riches." Tauzin gets a pay package reportedly worth at least $2 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid lobbyists in Washington.

http://www.usatoday....

Shays should retire and hit the gravy train.

Unfortunately for him a democratically controlled congress and as a faux-moderate republican makes Shays less than a hot property.

---

by: Scarce @ Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 13:11:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He needs to this (0.00 / 0)

This is is the "Independent" Shays paying back the RNC for the 33 mailings they sent out during his campaign last year. 

---

by: ctpublius @ Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 11:31:33 AM UTC

Doesn't add up.. (0.00 / 0)

While Shays makes his $165k from Congress, his wife Betsy (sp?) continues to work as a six-figure employee at the Peace Corps.  So a dual-income couple with combined annual earnings over $300k has no savings?  Pulleeze.

---

by: thomashooker @ Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 15:12:12 PM UTC