Posted on 09/04/2011 8:08:05 AM PDT by BarnacleCenturion
On the campaign trail, 2012 presidential hopeful Rick Perry plays up his humble roots as a dryland cotton farmer from rural Texas. He rarely, if ever, mentions that he has become a pretty savvy real estate investor during his more than 25 years in office.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Perry's income has soared as he has climbed the political ladder in Austin, thanks largely to a handful of lucrative real estate deals that have made him a millionaire.
When Perry was first elected to office in 1985, as a state representative from Haskell, he and his wife Anita were far from rich, reporting a total income of $45,244. To save money, the future governor shared an apartment in Austin with two other state lawmakers, while his wife worked as a nurse.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Actually it is quite frequently done in D.C. for the same reason as Perry did it, to save money.
You need to go back and listen to her speech again. She very clearly defines crony-capitalism and she identifies of whom she is speaking—Obama and the establishment politicians in Washington.
I have some concern about Perry, just as I do about all of the republican contenders. But to call any of them Obama 2.0 shows either a high level of dishonesty or extreme ignorance.
Your answer has so many qualifiers that you might as well as accused him of theft and be done with it.
“I would only ask you if its not possible that some people simply have differences with some of his policies?”
Yes, some do. Heck, *I* do, but unlike some Freepers, I am not looking for Mr./Mrs. Perfect. Good on enough key issues (here jobs, state’s rights, limited government, and 2nd Amendment), and I’m a supporter. Hence I’d happily vote for Perry, Palin, West, Cain, and Bachmann. But no more McLames!!! And H#LL NO to MittCare Romney. NO NO NO NO NO!
“Why must everyone be put into a neat little box?”
Not trying to do that. I used *several* boxes. LOL. Seriously, though, many of us Freepers can recognize a spam campaign when we see one, and all the Perry hit pieces from “concerned conservatives” scream that! Now, some legit pieces might be part of the mix, but they’re likely a minority.
“I am so sick and tired of the way we play politics. It is exactly what the liberals want us to do.”
Spam and concren troll campaigns are straight out of the DNC and nutosphere playbook. Ditto the RINO playbook. We are seeing exactly that, and some of us have started to point it out.
“We need to vet our candidates before we send them out against Obama.”
Been in Texas long enough to be pretty OK with how Perry does things. To me, he is plenty vetted...
I wasn’t aware Palin got rich in office. Is there any factual info to the contrary out there? Palin’s income tax filings are out there somewhere and they are a public record. Anybody seen them? Hard to believe her demrat and Alaska Pubbie enemies didn’t post them somewhere.
As far as I know her income sources have been working, gov. salary, public speaking and her book.
I despise our current crop of politicians. But I believe there must be a few honest ones out there. I just don’t know where. If there is no actual proof that Palin—or any politician—actually used their office to enrich themselves it is scurrilous to name them as having done so.
Well, it's not exactly theft. More like influence-peddling.
An art that has been perfected in this political establishment, in Washington and all the state capitals.
All perfectly "legal," mind you...
I mean, shoot, they make the laws, right?
Well said but you will never get through to the criminal invading illegal lovers here.
Unless jimrob is issuing kevlar and asbestos to fresh newbies, you have a lot to learn, the hard way obviously.
You don’t want to be ID’d as a du or ronpaul troll, then simply quit sounding as one. Actions speak louder than words.
Now you can go on back home and play with more like minded on the other side.
This article provides no information that Perry benefitted dishonestly. The Dell land sale seems to have been the biggest boost to his wealth. I see no evidence that he used his political knowledge or connections to buy land at a bargain price not avilable to someone else, or that he somehow had insider information that the value of land in the sticks was going to increase, much less that he used political clout, zoning, etc to make this or that dirt patch suddenly desirable. Of course an investigative reporter worth his salt will look into stuff like this. An investigative reporter will ask if Dell chose Perry’s land over Clem’s next door because a deal with Perry meant land PLUS special treatment down the road.
It would not be IF there were no favors traded.
While it's unlikely anyone will ever be able to prove favors...the average guy on the street is savvy enough to suspect them and believe they occurred.
Two terms in the Senate, 12 years then sit out one term (6 years) to regain eligibility.
6 terms in the House, 12 years then sit out 3 terms (6 years) to regain eligibility.
Yes ideally you serve your terms then out for good. But I have no problem with rewarding a successful term with the possibility of being reelected. Also without the possibility of returning no active politician would vote for it. My theory is once out of the lime light for a few years many politicians would disappear. People would realize they actually can get along without Senator Foghorn or Congressman/woman Bring-Pork.
He can find plenty when he needs to.
Heh-—Giuli should have worn the Marilyn wig at the Perry presser....LOL.
It is remarkable, but suspicious?...maybe...but I don’t think that dog will hunt. All politicians are privy to inside info on investments ordinary folks don’t hear about...you’d have to arrest 3/4 of the people in DC if that were a crime.
Now, show me where he instituted or altered policy for personal profit, and you would have an issue. Sounds like he was in a position to see where the wind was blowing and acted on it.
Palin is my candidate btw.
Good job exposing these 2 creeps, Liz !
FOLLOW THE MONEY !
And where there’s Corsi there’s nuts!
Two best seller books and a gig with Fox news. Throw in several big speaking fees that come in from around the World. $12 million is VERY doable.
Then throw on those government tax paid lottery style retirement pensions, personal drivers, guarded gated compounds, top shelf government tax paid medical benefits for life.
Then the question arises, if they were millionaires before politics, why even bother with politics? One reason is, many of those that became rich, seek the wealth which comes through control and power. Which in many cases results in more personal wealth.
It sounds like the “American Dream” as far as I can make out.
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