Are Politicians Seriously Paid Enough or Too Much?

1. 74

   Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

   Ive been thinking recently about Politicians and other high paid professionals and it set me thinking.
   
   How is their pay determined?
   
   It seems to me that if they only were paid for a job well done ( evidenced by results),then their would be a hell of a lot more real work and less mouth going on in the house.
   
   For example ,If a town/cities crime didnt come down ,then the cops get less pay ( and stayed low ,until the results improved)
   
   Similarily if a Mayor/ Senator/ President didnt do his job , he takes a drop in wages ,and it is continually staggered to reflect his/her achievements in whatever role/office he holds.

   replyreport
   1. 61

      TheRaptorClawposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This is actually a good question. I have heard people ask if athletes get paid to much but they entertain us. Politicians on the other hand, well i believe some are paid too much. I don't know how their pay is determined though.

      replyreport
   2. 74

      Jeff Berndtposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Senators and representatives ought to be well paid.
      First, their job is incredibly hard, especially if they try to do it well.
      Second, if the job wasn't well-paid, only the independently wealthy could afford to hold the job (never mind about campaigning for the moment). Seriously, would you go to a job that took up 10-12 hours of your day, kept you away from your spouse and kids, required you to listen to people yell at you much of the time, and which didn't pay you enough to cover your cost of living?
      
      Third, however, I think that once the senator or representative is voted out, they should stop getting paid. The way I understand it, as it stands right now, a one-term congressman gets full retirement benefits, including a pension, medical, dental, eyes, etc. That's a crock in my view. If someone does such a great job that he keeps getting reelected, then sure, he deserves a pension commensurate with his years of service. But a one-term guy? Heck no.

      replyreport
      1. 74

         Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         But since we seem to be fully integrated as a "User Pays" mentality,then I firmly believe in the work (any work is work!) be accessed and paid on merit.
         
         Thats how the great majority of us survive ,so shouldnt our leaders lead by example.
         
         I totally agree that some work harder than others ,then their pay should reflect that ,but c'mon many enjoy the perks of the job ( including their spouses) that many of us are lucky to be able to afford anymore i.e vacations, assets etc.
         
         Of course their job can be stressful,but so are many others.
         
         For example when I was a mother of 5 sons ,I considered that pretty stressful too

         replyreport
      2. 60

         Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thats only part of it. Why would someone spend millions of their own money to get elected to a job that pays a few hundred thou a year? Obviously the salary we pay our elected officials is only the tip of the iceberg of their entire compensation package.

         replyreport
2. 66

   b. Malinposted 13 years ago

   You are so right Eaglekiwi.  Here's my take, Some are extremely wealthy to begin with and don't take a salary.  I think their positions are like hobbies for the rich...some are good and hard working, while others should be booted out ( and last election, that did happen).  They forget they work for us, not against us.

   replyreport
   1. 74

      Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      ..Good point
      Which leads me to ask ,who sets the standard and who monitors and who decides what ....whoever it is ,must be paid too much too
      
      Seriously I only see two classes emerging : Rich and Very Rich

      replyreport
3. 66

   b. Malinposted 13 years ago

   Please correct me if I'm wrong...but the senate and congress vote for their salaries and pay raises.  Firemen and Police salaries come from what the towns or cities can afford in their budgets.  It's sad how the public is deceived...However I do feel there are some good people out there working for us.  I still believe in the American Dream, work hard, save, and stay Healthy, and VOTE!

   replyreport
   1. 74

      Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      No matter which country you come from ,they voice that same dream ,except we all think its a unique sentiment and exclusive to just OUR country...
      
      I think that dream is out of reach for many people now,but I do agree with you wholeheartly that hard work,and persistance always pays off...
      
      Thankyou for the other informations ,makes sense in a mad kinda way lol

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         LOL, that reminded me of the old definition of patriotism...the belief that your country is the best because you were born in it.

         replyreport
         1. 74

            Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Yea ,thats the one
            
            
            
            
            
            Bottom line (IMO) Is there are far too many lazy politians,including party propper uppers who do squidley squat,so why cant we have less in the house?
            
            And make them bloody accountable for every cent they spend-after all they expect us too!

            replyreport
4. 59

   Jaggedfrostposted 13 years ago

   I wonder how one would vote for someone to monitor such issues as this.  How one would make them independent enough to be able to do their job without coercion and trust them enough not to become corrupted into not doing their job.  If we have a problem with such things we probably aught to breed a generation capable and willing to take on such a project, not to mention becoming such people ourselves.

   replyreport
   1. 74

      Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Very good point.
      
      It is all about trust isnt it, in the end.

      replyreport
5. 69

   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   Politicians have no need to have a base salary at all.
   
   Politicians are public servants. The businesses that exist within the Economy, pay our public official servants, numerous amounts of money to speak at engagements. So as to have supposed government support by them. That is the appearance given.
   
   Politicians can make well over $1 Million each year from the lobbying companies. Not to mention, they make money from Wall Street in some capacity or another.
   
   Even companies give politicians discounts, that probably would constitute as bribes, through dummy corporations. I mean, come on.
   
   What in the world would they need a base salary for? I would /could understand about receiving bonuses based on how productive goodness came from their term in office. But, I don't think they deserve a salary at all.

   replyreport
   1. 61

      Rabid Pumaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The original principle was that public office should be accessible to people from all walks of life and that nobody should be excluded because they couldn't afford to leave their job to serve in government.
      
      The hope of keeping democracy out of the exclusive hands of the economic elite has largely been bastardized by the nature of political campaigns and mostly the wealthy end up holding important offices, but that's not universally true and I think there's a lot of merit in keeping the door open for real representation of the economically disenfranchised.

      replyreport
      1. 69

         Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Are you purposely responding to my post? If so, then what does your statement have to do with what I said?
         
         If not, then just dismiss this post. Some people hit reply on the last post, when they are suppose to hit post a reply at the bottom.
         
         Just curious.

         replyreport
         1. 61

            Rabid Pumaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I was disagreeing with this statement: "Politicians have no need to have a base salary at all."
            
            I don't think politicians should be expected to make money from lobbyists or gallivanting around speech-making in order to afford to hold office.

            replyreport
            1. 69

               Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Oh okay. I was curious. And now I know.
               
               However, I did notice you decided against commenting on the more deviant ways politicians make money, other than speeches for companies, such as rewards on fixing up their home.
               
               Politicians getting millions of dollars of work done for payment of thousands. Discounted? Not to mention, I also named "Wall Street", as a way they make money. But, you've not addressed that either.
               
               So please. Politicians can be anyone? Sure. If you live in Disneyland.

               replyreport
6. 60

   Evan G Rogersposted 13 years ago

   they get paid WA~~~AY too much.

   replyreport