John Washington III Asks Why People Keep Following Politicians Who Don't Care About Them, and How Members of Congress Become Millionaires on a $174,000 Salary

John Washington III asked why people keep following politicians who, in his words, don’t give a damn about them - politicians who talk like they love the people and promise change, then, he asked, where is that same energy when decisions affecting people's lives are made?

“Why do some politicians campaign on one thing and then vote for something completely different?” John Washington III asked. “And why do people continue defending these politicians without even checking their voting records?” His instruction to voters was direct: “Stop listening to what they say and start paying attention to what they do.”

John Washington III then turned to money in office. Most members of Congress receive an annual salary of $174,000, he noted, and he asked where the additional money comes from - investments, businesses, inheritance, or financial relationships and payments the public does not know about. Having millions of dollars, he said, does not automatically mean somebody committed a crime, but being a public official should never put anyone above financial scrutiny.

Members of Congress already have public financial disclosure requirements, John Washington III noted, and he asked why the American people should not examine those records: “Who is paying you? Who are you doing business with? Who benefits financially from your decisions? And are you using public office to serve the people or to enrich yourself?” Any politician secretly accepting illegal payments in exchange for political favors should be investigated, he said, and if the evidence proves corruption, held accountable.