http://www.investors.com/politics/columnists/robert-samuelson-the-real-truth-about-washington/

ROBERT J. SAMUELSON

1/25/2017

"For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth." — President Donald Trump, Jan. 20.

Washington is not a swamp.

Since at least the days of Jimmy Carter, presidential politicians have run against Washington, which is — according to the standard indictment — overrun by corrupt politicians, overpaid lobbyists, and self-important media types. Donald Trump is no exception and, indeed, in his sneering description of the nation's capital as a "swamp," has done his predecessors one better.

But his portrait is an absurdity. It bears little relationship to two overriding realities. First, the rewards of government go mostly to "the people" through massive transfer programs such as Social Security. Second, the costs have been borne mainly by the rich and upper middle class, who pay most taxes, and foreign and domestic lenders who cover chronic budget deficits...


...The left-hand column gives the number of recipients, the right hand column their share in the population. For example: In 2012, Social Security had 52 million recipients, representing 16.8% of the population.



Adjusted for fair usage.
See above address for more
walks

The Washington cartel is strongly embedded in D.C.  They need to be thrown into the swamp and then the swamp needs to be drained.   

Quote from: expat_panama on January 26, 2017, 02:34:16 AM
http://www.investors.com/politics/columnists/robert-samuelson-the-real-truth-about-washington/

ROBERT J. SAMUELSON

1/25/2017

"For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth." — President Donald Trump, Jan. 20.

Washington is not a swamp.

Since at least the days of Jimmy Carter, presidential politicians have run against Washington, which is — according to the standard indictment — overrun by corrupt politicians, overpaid lobbyists, and self-important media types. Donald Trump is no exception and, indeed, in his sneering description of the nation's capital as a "swamp," has done his predecessors one better.

But his portrait is an absurdity. It bears little relationship to two overriding realities. First, the rewards of government go mostly to "the people" through massive transfer programs such as Social Security. Second, the costs have been borne mainly by the rich and upper middle class, who pay most taxes, and foreign and domestic lenders who cover chronic budget deficits...


...The left-hand column gives the number of recipients, the right hand column their share in the population. For example: In 2012, Social Security had 52 million recipients, representing 16.8% of the population.



Adjusted for fair usage.
See above address for more
walks

You're right.  There's no corruption in DC.  Politicians don't get rich, and they don't get any special favors, or exempt themselves from laws they pass.

Thanks for clearing up this falsehood for us.

It's not a swamp. It's the gravy train.