ProPublica reports that Thomas was in debt, frustrated with his salary, and implying he’d resign from the Supreme Court if his financial situation didn’t change—just before Harlan Crow and other conservatives started lavishing him with expensive gifts and luxury vacations.
Before he began receiving expensive gifts and luxury vacations from Harlan Crow and other conservative benefactors, Clarence Thomas reportedly expressed significant concerns about his financial situation—even prompting concerns from a Republican lawmaker more than 20 years ago that he might resign from the Supreme Court if he could not boost his salary.
“One or more justices will leave soon” if justices aren’t given a raise, Thomas told then Republican Representative Cliff Stearns in 2000, as they flew home from a conservative conference at a Georgia resort, according to ProPublica.
I’d love to make that much. I’m pretty frugal with my needs (don’t need a large house, car, or expensive baubles) so I’d basically live slightly better than I’m living now while putting more money away and without worrying about running short on money.
I can’t understand people who make tons of money and act like it’s not enough.
Greed and being really bad an managing money, I guess. Lots of people live completely at the margin of whatever they can afford - too large houses, bad decisions about cars, expensive vacations, let alone things like gambling, strip clubs, extramarital affairs and drugs. I’ve had a screwed up work history due to illness and some poor career choices, and I’d be thrilled and completely all set to be making $80,000.
Yeah seriously. That’s enough money to live in a pretty nice house, take a vacation every year, and never worry about finances.