Fleming opposed raising taxes on multi-millionaires like himself and complained about his "tough times" during a September MSNBC interview
Congressman John Fleming (LA-04) recently made a distinguished list as one of the Members of Congress living in the top one percent of wealthiest Americans. According to USA Today, Congressman Fleming was one of 57 members of Congress, and the only member from Louisiana, who ranked in the top 1% of all Americans. This is the same Congressman Fleming who complained during an interview in September about how hard it was to put food on the table with the $600,000 he had left over from earning at least $6.3 million last year. Now that he’s earned a place in the top 1%, will he continue to whine about how tough life is while the other 99% of Americans struggle in this tough economy?
Congressman John Fleming is so far out of touch it’s amazing he can keep a straight face while complaining about his rough life and how much he pays in taxes as the other 99% scrape by. While Congressman Fleming struggles to live in the top 1%, millions of Americans are hanging on by a thread, worrying about where the next paycheck will come from. The 4th district deserves a Congressman who understands what people are going through and a Congressman who wants to help everyone, not just the mega-rich at the top.
Background Information:
Fleming in the Top One Percent of Wealthiest Americans. “Fifty-seven members, or roughly 11 percent, of Congress — including one representative from Louisiana — can count themselves among the top 1 percent of wealthy in the country, with an estimated net worth of $9 million, according to a USA TODAY analysis of personal financial disclosures compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. One member of Louisiana's Congressional delegation can count himself in the top 1 percent when measured by wealth — Rep. John Fleming, R-District 4. His estimated net worth is more than $10 million, which is about $1 million more than is needed to be considered part of the country's wealthiest 1 percent.” [The Advertiser, 11/15/11; USA Today, 11/15/11]
Fleming Opposed to Raising Taxes on Millionaires Like Himself. “If you go after the higher income earners, you are also going after the job creators […] Since my net income, and again that’s the individual rate that I told you about, the amount I have to reinvest in my business and feed my family is more like $600,000 of that $6.3 million and so by the time I feed my family, I have, you know, maybe $400,000 left over […] This is not about attacking people who make certain incomes.” [MSNBC, 9/19/11]
Typical Louisiana Family Earned $42,460 in 2009. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income was $42,460 in 2009. [US Census Bureau Fast Facts, accessed 8/25/11]
Median Police Patrol Officer Salary is $45,384 and Beginning Teacher Salary is $40,414. The median salary of a police patrol officer in Shreveport, Louisiana is $45,384, which is lower than the national average. The starting teacher salary in Caddo Parrish is $40,414 for beginning teachers with a Bachelor Degree. [Salary.com, accessed 9/26/11; Caddo Teacher Salary Schedule, 06/2010]
Average Subway Sandwich Artist Salary is $13,000. According to Simply Hired, the average salary for subway sandwich artist jobs is $13,000. Mr. Fleming has made a fortune from owning Subways and other fast food restaurants [Simply Hired, accessed 9/19/11]