Perhaps it’s best to start with a comparison of the composition of the USSR and U.S. leading bodies. Here is the composition of the 1,500 Deputies (750 in each) of the two chambers, the soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities, making up the USSR Supreme Soviet (in July 1979). Men–67.5 per cent, women 32.5, youth 21.1 (aged 21-30), workers 34.8 per cent, collective farmers 16.3 per cent (together workers and farmers make up 51 per cent), scientific and cultural workers 9 per cent (30.4 per cent of the Deputies have scientific degrees). The Deputies represent 61 nationalities.
Here is the breakdown for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Senate: 100 members. Women–2; workers–0, lawyers–57 (mostly linked with corporations); businessmen–23; Blacks–0; Hispanics–0; Orientals–3.
House of Representatives: 435 members. Women–19; workers–6; lawyers–186; businessmen and bankers–117; doctors–3; Blacks–17; Hispanics–5; Orientals–2.
A United Press story reported in the San Francisco Examiner (August 20, 1979) stated: “Altogether, the Senate has at least 24 and possible as many as 40 millionaires.” In other words, from 24 to 40 per cent are from the upper income bracket. Even the patrician Roman Senate could not compare with the U.S. Senate known as the “millionaires’ club”.
GOOD post.
