That’s why the position tends to attract already wealthy people seeking prestige and power or normal individuals who use it as a stepping stone to million-dollar book deals or cushy jobs in the private sector.
Of course, it is best to couple the good pay with severe penalties for abusing power.
Anyone who believes this does not understand how power works and is maintained.
I was prepared to dispute this, but now I'm not certain. According to capitoltrades.com, a site that tracks US politician stock trades, 213 politicians made trades within the last 3 years. Assuming those are senators and congress members, then it's fair to say that most aren't making trades.
That said, the GP comment that asserted "their power and insider knowledge makes them a lot more than that overall" isn't incorrect. 213 politicians take advantage of their elected positions to profit from the stock market.