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Relic_001 t1_j3msjs0 wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in TIL that in 1947, U.S. House Minority Leader Sam Rayburn was gifted a 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 62 from 142 Democratic congressmembers and 50 Republican congressmembers. Each congressmen donated $25 to circumvent Rayburns personal rule of not accepting gifts more than $25. by FranklinDRoosevelt32

And his limit of 25$ for a gift is equal to 324.25$ now. Pretty expensive personal gifts.

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[deleted] t1_j3mtcur wrote

[deleted]

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LongWalk86 t1_j3nnj6t wrote

$12,500 a year for hose reps, leadership may have got a bit more. But lets not pretend, that just like today, congressmen didn't have lots of other income sources.

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Relic_001 t1_j3n2elt wrote

Still a lot of money, but the divid between the 1% and the average American was quite a bit less back then too.

EDIT assuming a seven year loan, which isn't uncommon and no money down that's a 741$ monthly payment.

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StoneTemplePilates t1_j3rp8wq wrote

$741 is a pretty large car payment even by today's standards. I make double the median income for my state and I would consider that frivolous.

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series_hybrid t1_j3myl61 wrote

Lunch in DC for a congressman, a lobbyist, and each has an assistant.

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brun064 t1_j3o3sfa wrote

And the $25 rule is still in effect for government employees today. The limit has never been adjusted for inflation. So you can try to "bribe" a government employee with a gift...just not one worth very much.

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