$4,700 raise for memebers of Congress.

[Thorgasm]

Wouldn't that ensure that only rich, corrupt douchebags run for office, because only they could afford to take minimum wage for their time in Congress?

Yes, that wouldn't change. Corruption is a part of the human condition. But the taxpayers would be saving money.

 

[Kernel Sanders]

Yes, that wouldn't change. Corruption is a part of the human condition. But the taxpayers would be saving money.

Yes, but would you really support making Congress inaccessible to anybody who isn't wealthy enough not to work? Most of Congress is already firmly in the Rich White Dude demographic, but don't you think that making it impossible to survive on Congressional pay without being rich going in would worsen that problem?

 

[Thorgasm]

Yes, but would you really support making Congress inaccessible to anybody who isn't wealthy enough not to work? Most of Congress is already firmly in the Rich White Dude demographic, but don't you think that making it impossible to survive on Congressional pay without being rich going in would worsen that problem?

The system has already locked out those people. It takes lots of cash to get elected. Donors aren't going to go "slumming" for a candidate. Our culture respects financial success. Politicians aren't improving their income by getting elected.

 

[shiznit770]

We should just have congressional dorms. They could all sleep on bunk beds and stand in line for their food. It would force them to work closer together instead of relying on aids and secretaries.

Strip away all of their worldly comforts and give them back when they're done serving. A true public servant would devote themselves to their work and be completely self-sacrificing.

 

[Thorgasm]

We should just have congressional dorms. They could all sleep on bunk beds and stand in line for their food. It would force them to work closer together instead of relying on aids and secretaries.

Strip away all of their worldly comforts and give them back when they're done serving. A true public servant would devote themselves to their work and be completely self-sacrificing.

It'd wind up being a nursing home.

 

[shiznit770]

It'd wind up being a nursing home.

Instead of raising their salaries we could buy them a Wii

 

[Oftencold]

Wouldn't that ensure that only rich, corrupt douchebags run for office, because only they could afford to take minimum wage for their time in Congress?

We live in a Capitalist society. With some notable exceptions, we measure success and competence largely by the creation of wealth. This may be barbaric, but it is nonetheless true.

In our society, poor adults, and I include myself in this camp, are generally poor for reasons that would make then less than stellar choices for leadership.

If the voting populace were wiser, they'd be more suspicious of people who inherited or married wealth without generating substantial new wealth themselves, and would be drawn to "self made men."

It's time to stop fearing wealth.

 

[Oftencold]

We should just have congressional dorms. They could all sleep on bunk beds and stand in line for their food. It would force them to work closer together instead of relying on aids and secretaries.

Strip away all of their worldly comforts and give them back when they're done serving. A true public servant would devote themselves to their work and be completely self-sacrificing.

I like it.

 

[earthworm]

Would you really support cutting Congress' salary to minimum wage?

Yes !
This "poverty" may teach them something....they can stand to learn..

 

[MC.no.spin]

While you have somewhat of a point, these clowns aren't in it for the money to begin with. They could bull**** their way to much more money in the corporate world. Most of these clowns are wealthy as well. It would actually give them incentives to limit their terms. If they made a million dollars a year they would still be corrupt. Look at Enron. I mean seriously, how can you run an energy company into the ground? Being greedy and taking stupid risks ethically and finacially is how.

People who want power and connections seek elected office. It isn't about the money. The corruption isn't about not making enough money either.

Personally speaking, I would never consider public office if it was a minimum wage deal. As much as I want to serve the public good, I need to put food on the table and feed my family.

 

[MC.no.spin]

Yeah, but how did these clowns become wealthy? I wonder. Bottom line, you're right about the corruption. The question is, how to stop it? I don't think cutting salaries is the answer, but I doubt there's anything that is sure fire. I think getting rid of lobbyist is a good start, though.

I think we should raise their pay, personally. But I liked the earlier poster's idea as well, of paying them based on actual days in Congress. Give them bonuses for staying on budget and maintaining national security.

 

[Thorgasm]

Personally speaking, I would never consider public office if it was a minimum wage deal. As much as I want to serve the public good, I need to put food on the table and feed my family.

My point is that if you couldn't afford to feed your family because of your minimum wage salary serving as an elected official, your chances of getting elected are slim to none.

 

[Thorgasm]

I think we should raise their pay, personally. But I liked the earlier poster's idea as well, of paying them based on actual days in Congress. Give them bonuses for staying on budget and maintaining national security.

I like an incentive laden pay scale.

 

[MC.no.spin]

My point is that if you couldn't afford to feed your family because of your minimum wage salary serving as an elected official, your chances of getting elected are slim to none.

I agree that campaign finance reform is desperately needed.

On a side note, what do you think of the government taking over online poker? It could greatly add to their revenue and lower taxes.

 

[Thorgasm]

I agree that campaign finance reform is desperately needed.

On a side note, what do you think of the government taking over online poker? It could greatly add to their revenue and lower taxes.

That might be a good idea. I also support a national lottery.

 

[shiznit770]

That might be a good idea. I also support a national lottery.

Lottery: a tax for people who can't do math.

 

[Thorgasm]

Lottery: a tax for people who can't do math.

It's true. :mrgreen:

 

[Oftencold]

Personally speaking, I would never consider public office if it was a minimum wage deal. As much as I want to serve the public good, I need to put food on the table and feed my family.

This is good for several reasons.

First, in my opinion no one should be elected to high office without demonstrating an ability to thrive and succeed in our society. This is to say, you should make enough money to support yourself on your assets and savings, before seeking office.

Second, it one does not have sufficient motivation to make serious personal sacrifices in order to serve in office, they almost certainly shouldn't.

 

[Oftencold]

That might be a good idea. I also support a national lottery.

Ooh! The Government involved in gambling! Now there is an enterprise that would be immune to corruption!

Why not just jump right to Government operated brothels?

 

[Thorgasm]

Ooh! The Government involved in gambling! Now there is an enterprise that would be immune to corruption!

Why not just jump right to Government operated brothels?

Don't most states have lotteries already?

I would rather see govt. weed before brothels.

 

[Oftencold]

Don't most states have lotteries already?

I would rather see govt. weed before brothels.

Government largely is a weed.

I don't know how many of the Lesser States have lotteries. I live in a State that pays its residents an oil dividend.

 

[Thorgasm]

Government largely is a weed.

I don't know how many of the Lesser States have lotteries. I live in a State that pays its residents an oil dividend.

Yeah, we might as well socialize all of our resources. As it turns out, capitalism doesn't work either.

 

[Oftencold]

Yeah, we might as well socialize all of our resources. As it turns out, capitalism doesn't work either.

It works quite well for me.


I'm not sure if you're serious about Capitalism not working, or if you're being sarcastic. So, stop here if the latter, read on if the former.

Yeah, we might as well socialize all of our resources. As it turns out, capitalism doesn't work either.

Tell me, what non-capitalist system produced the computer or other device you're accessing the web with? And which non-profit entity is providing the electricity to operate it?

I certainly hope that you're not sitting there naked, so I am intrigued to know how you acquired the clothing you're probably wearing with producing a profit for someone.

Please share with us the wisdom whereby your shelter was produced without enriching the craftsmen, companies workers and previous owners of same.

Above all, I'd be most attentive as you describe how food came to your mouth without recourse to Capitalism.

 

[Thorgasm]

It works quite well for me.


I'm not sure if you're serious about Capitalism not working, or if you're being sarcastic. So, stop here if the latter, read on if the former.

Actually, it was a little of both. More accurately, there is no perfect system. Capitalism has it's flaws as we have seen during the Great Depression and the economic decline that we have begun. But true, socialism has many flaws too. People prop up capitalism as if it were infallible when the opposite is true.

Tell me, what non-capitalist system produced the computer or other device you're accessing the web with? And which non-profit entity is providing the electricity to operate it?

I'll field this. The Soviet Union put a man in space. The basic stealth bomber was originally a Nazi design. The AK-47 is the most popular assault rifle in the world.

I certainly hope that you're not sitting there naked, so I am intrigued to know how you acquired the clothing you're probably wearing with producing a profit for someone.

I'm sure something I'm wearing was made in China.

Please share with us the wisdom whereby your shelter was produced without enriching the craftsmen, companies workers and previous owners of same.

Socialists don't have homes?

Above all, I'd be most attentive as you describe how food came to your mouth without recourse to Capitalism.

Socialists all starve to death?

 

[Oftencold]

Actually, it was a little of both. More accurately, there is no perfect system. Capitalism has it's flaws as we have seen during the Great Depression and the economic decline that we have begun. But true, socialism has many flaws too. People prop up capitalism as if it were infallible when the opposite is true.

Doubtless. There are no perfect, or even near-perfect solutions. However, I note a tendency in many to reject that which is ugly but functional for that which is pretty but dysfunctional. So it is with the popular desire in some quarters to reject Capitalism when there is no viable replacement.

I'll field this. The Soviet Union put a man in space. The basic stealth bomber was originally a Nazi design. The AK-47 is the most popular assault rifle in the world.

The Soviets put people in space while many of their people were living in squalid poverty. I believe there were even periods of starvation in the easy during the heyday of their space program.

I'm not versed on Nazi Aircraft Design. But OK. While that Socialist regime was in place, the were exterminating millions of their own people and confiscating their wealth.

The AK-47 is popular. This I suppose is an an example of a Communist regime produce a sort of consumer good.

I'm sure something I'm wearing was made in China.

Chinese exports have fountained since limited Capitalism has been added to a system that is nioted for exploiting slave labor.

Socialists don't have homes?

Well theat required a closer look. Socialists certainly have homes. In the Socialist regimes that more closely resemble Communisim, they are likely to be inferior homes, at least for the non-elite.

I believe thought that research will show, that even in nominaly Socialist countries, a thriving housing industry is likely to be ruin as a generally Capitalist venture.

I will confess to insufficient motivation to research this myself though.

My point is that you receive so many benefits from Capitalism.

Socialists all starve to death?

Certainly many have. Again my point is that Capitalism works quite well, and its practitioners deserve a certain respect and regard as frequently super-productive memebers of society.

In any global consideration of food production by economic model however, one must consider the effect of removal of the major Capitalist productions from the international market.

In other words, the question might be better put, "would Socialists starve in greater numbers were the option of buying Capitalist produced foodstuffs removed?"