How Bernie Sanders, The Socialist Senator, Amassed A $2.5 Million Fortune

[Honeycombe8]

131. I've long thought that so many people run for President, so they can make money.

It makes their names nationally known, if they're lucky. A national name translates into money: books and speeches automatically turn into coin. It helps careers, which translates into money, as well.

There are people who run who have little to zero chance of being the nominee. It's expensive, tiring, and harmful to one's current career (you can't do anything else besides run). So why do it? Two reasons: You have a shot at being chosen for the VP slot, and/or it's a ticket to fame and money.

I don't think there's anything wrong with that. If they are in a position and have the opportunity to better their lives, it's a good thing to take it. It's good to be rich. Who doesn't want to be?

One thing is curious, though. The article he says he owns three homes, and gives the date he bought each. Sanders has previously said he inherited the house he got after the 2016 run for President, but the article says he bought it for $575,000.

And as the article points out, it's possible Sanders is worth much more than $2.5M, if he has a 401k or other IRA account. That's not required to be reported, and it's not in income tax returns. Most people who make a good salary contribute to those, if they have them available. Could be worth millions, if invested in the stock market and growing for decades. Again, there's nothing wrong with that. It's good financial planning. It'd be concerning if after all these years of working and writing books, he weren't rich.