Should people not be allowed to make a living off of politics?
56-60, M
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ElwoodBlues · M
Irrelevant.
There are very few US senators with a net worth less than $10 million; there are ten with a net worth over $100 million. They earn far more from their investments than from their senatorial salaries.
And that level of wealth is a problem, because it means their self-interest is aligned with the richest 1%, not with the working class or middle class. Cutting the Senate's salary isn't going to change their self-interest one iota; it certainly won't give us a senate that understands the working class.
There are very few US senators with a net worth less than $10 million; there are ten with a net worth over $100 million. They earn far more from their investments than from their senatorial salaries.
And that level of wealth is a problem, because it means their self-interest is aligned with the richest 1%, not with the working class or middle class. Cutting the Senate's salary isn't going to change their self-interest one iota; it certainly won't give us a senate that understands the working class.
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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@HoraceGreenley Actually, America needs to see BOTH...😷
HoraceGreenley · 56-60, M
@whowasthatmaskedman
America needs corrupt politicians lining their pockets?
America needs corrupt politicians lining their pockets?
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@HoraceGreenley Well thats US politics since the mid twentieth century. (both sides, before you accuse me of bias) I just think the American tax payer should have access to the tax and business filingsd of anyone who takes the public dollar for "serving the public." Dont you agree?😷
Heartlander · 80-89, M
Pay them on the same scale of a reserve military General and expect them to otherwise have real jobs. Reserve or Guard are citizen soldiers, reserve sailors, reserve Marines, etc.
I don't think politics should be a profession. It should be a duty or service performed by citizens. Many if not most cities have commissioners who are still just citizens like described above. Congress should be the same.
I don't think politics should be a profession. It should be a duty or service performed by citizens. Many if not most cities have commissioners who are still just citizens like described above. Congress should be the same.
DDaverde · 56-60, M
@Heartlander
That’s how all political jobs
Started years ago you had a full time Job.
To support yourself.
That’s how all political jobs
Started years ago you had a full time Job.
To support yourself.
Heartlander · 80-89, M
@DDaverde I watch a lot of city commission meetings where the mayor and commissioners receive some compensation but otherwise have jobs. The cities are run by city managers, assistant managers, a dozen+ departments, etc. Below the city commission are another dozen commissions with members who receive some compensation but otherwise it's not their full time job.
Most cities live-stream and post their commission meetings on YouTube.
If t=you've never peeked in to commission meetings for your community I suggest you do so so you can witness what's happening at city hall.
My observations is that the commissioners efficiently take care of business, and make good decisions, and don't waste time on politics. The commissioners don't waste time criticizing one another, or pointing out one another's failures. They address the issues and vote yes or no and move on to the next agenda item. The city staff are the professionals, the fire chief, the police chief, the city engineer, the city attorney, the city planner, finance director, etc., etc., they do the deep dive and present their recommendations. The commissions invite to contribute to the discussion, ether for or against. Then the commissioners vote. Commmission meetings also usually include a public comment section where anyone is free to address the commission. No name calling, and now rebuttals by commissioners. Actions speak louder than words and voters can decide whether a citizen's complaint is valid or not.
Why can't congress behave like a good city commission?
Most cities live-stream and post their commission meetings on YouTube.
If t=you've never peeked in to commission meetings for your community I suggest you do so so you can witness what's happening at city hall.
My observations is that the commissioners efficiently take care of business, and make good decisions, and don't waste time on politics. The commissioners don't waste time criticizing one another, or pointing out one another's failures. They address the issues and vote yes or no and move on to the next agenda item. The city staff are the professionals, the fire chief, the police chief, the city engineer, the city attorney, the city planner, finance director, etc., etc., they do the deep dive and present their recommendations. The commissions invite to contribute to the discussion, ether for or against. Then the commissioners vote. Commmission meetings also usually include a public comment section where anyone is free to address the commission. No name calling, and now rebuttals by commissioners. Actions speak louder than words and voters can decide whether a citizen's complaint is valid or not.
Why can't congress behave like a good city commission?
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
There are those who are effective in what they do and those who aren't.
Personally I'm sick of parties and politicians setting the agenda.
I think the public need to tell those elected on their behalf what needs to take priority.
Maybe if they were reminded who works for whom attitudes might change and the whole idea of career politicians could be a force for good
Personally I'm sick of parties and politicians setting the agenda.
I think the public need to tell those elected on their behalf what needs to take priority.
Maybe if they were reminded who works for whom attitudes might change and the whole idea of career politicians could be a force for good
Heartlander · 80-89, M
@Picklebobble2 one thing that good city governments have is the opportunity for any citizen to directly address the city commission or any city commission for 5 minutes with the only restriction being that it has to be civil, I e. no profanity. no applause. If it's streamed on YouTube the public can judge if it's a petty complaint or legitimate. Congress needs something similar,
Also congress needs to get rid of the authority structure. The house speaker has far too much power. All members of the house should be equal with the chair being little more than a timekeeper.
Also congress needs to get rid of the authority structure. The house speaker has far too much power. All members of the house should be equal with the chair being little more than a timekeeper.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@Heartlander [quote]All members of the house should be equal with the chair being little more than a timekeeper.[/quote]
That will make no difference. Members of Congress, just like British Members of Parliament, and those of other countries, are dependent on the party and donors for election; if they don't toe the party line then they will not get elected next time.
That will make no difference. Members of Congress, just like British Members of Parliament, and those of other countries, are dependent on the party and donors for election; if they don't toe the party line then they will not get elected next time.
Heartlander · 80-89, M
@ninalanyon Yes, thanks for pointing that out. And that the difference between local government and federal government. In local government it's the people who have a sayso at every step. Not responding to the people will get a mayor or commissioner unelected. In Washington it's the funders who have the say so, and the press that engages the politicians, not the people.
In good city governments the committees beneath the city commission are usually not politicians but are individuals with expertise and otherwise just regular citizens. If committee members start picking sides, like we see with political parties, they will be admonished by regular citizens who have the right to publicly address the committee and say so. Agendas themselves are are discussed and approved by the committees. If they become one sided they would be challenged by other committee members or by citizens addressing the commissions and committees.
One issue I believe we have with our federal government is that elected officials are too busy being politicians rather than leaders. and the various secretaries for the departments are themselves politicians and not leaders. And that continues for a few more layers.
In good city governments the committees beneath the city commission are usually not politicians but are individuals with expertise and otherwise just regular citizens. If committee members start picking sides, like we see with political parties, they will be admonished by regular citizens who have the right to publicly address the committee and say so. Agendas themselves are are discussed and approved by the committees. If they become one sided they would be challenged by other committee members or by citizens addressing the commissions and committees.
One issue I believe we have with our federal government is that elected officials are too busy being politicians rather than leaders. and the various secretaries for the departments are themselves politicians and not leaders. And that continues for a few more layers.
Thevy29 · 41-45, M
Here, they get $400,000 a year, every year while in office and full salary as a pension when they leave. And that's not including the Prime minister. Their responsible for the state of the world and claim people on the dole ($9,000) a year get too much whilst their embezzling tax payers dollars to pay for their million dollar houses.
If they were paid the same as the people on the dole, this country would see some changes right quick and in a hurry.
If they were paid the same as the people on the dole, this country would see some changes right quick and in a hurry.
jehova · 31-35, M
If they actually did the job/it were full time. Otherwise what are u getting paid for if only one 3000 page bill ever getx passed per ywar. Do ur job then maybe it should be a career. Wth. I make a 5th ax much working full time. Politics is a Fake job.
xp47rb · M
I would like to see a ten year lifetime limit on elected office. Don't care what or how many, ten years total in one's lifetime in elected office.
DDaverde · 56-60, M
Give them term limits. it’s a part time job
Regular insurance like we all have !
Regular insurance like we all have !
BizSuitStacy · M
Virtually everyone in DC is on the take.
familyfunguy · 56-60, M
@BizSuitStacy Wouldn't it be "heartbreaking" if a country like North Korea sent a little "gift" to DC?
BizSuitStacy · M
@familyfunguy that type of gift probably creates more problems than it solves, but the country could do without all the corruption.
Personally i think the government needs to be audited
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
No they should not.
Edit: i mean not beyond a reasonable salary.
Edit: i mean not beyond a reasonable salary.
Slade · 56-60, M
Hardly the worst idea I've ever heard
FreestyleArt · 31-35, M
It's in and out for me. Balanced
xp47rb · M
Subsumedpat · 36-40, M
No
@justanothername What does that have to do with all the green chile in New Mexico?
Elessar · 26-30, M
@NativePortlander1970 Term limits aren't a panacea and should be reasonable. No term limits and you end up with politicians fossilizing themselves into power, too short term limits and you end up with inexperienced politicians (because anyone experienced enough gets booted off, and inexperienced politicians will end up being controlled by much more persistent external forces: corporations, lobbies, et al) paradoxically ending up in a situation potentially worse than if term limits were absent or higher.
justanothername · 51-55, M
@NativePortlander1970 putting term limits on a President has obvious benefits whereas with a career politician it’s more like swings and roundabouts.
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