samsmart
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2009
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I can see your point, but when I generally hear what politicians make, I think it's too much. Why should governors make more than six figures for example? And governor's usually get to live in a governor's mansion. And before John Bohner became house speaker, he was netting a quarter million a year.
You don't want them getting too comfortable with the pay or want to stay for the pay... that's the wrong reason for them to want to stay. I think they shouldn't make more than the median income of the people they represent. I remember when Bush didn't know the price a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and the price of gasoline. He didn't buy his own fuel... wtf. Our leaders should know those things, and they should understand what a dollar means to the people they represent.
... so how do we make sure everybody, wealthy and not, has a fair chance to run and to win? Somebody mentioned jury duty, but I don't see that working or being in line with constitution.
Well, it's not about running and winning - they do that with campaign donations. It's about paying for their basic needs, such as housing and shelter and food. And don't forget that most Congressmen and Senators have wives and children or other family to support as well.
And then you get into other things like security for them and their families. One reason why congressmen put their kids into private school isn't because they're elitist - it's because those private schools are designed to secure children from threats that would target them for being the children of congressmen.
As for pay for political officials, I see no better justification for the use of referendums, even if only limited to the use of determining politicians' pay.