Why in God's name do politicians get paid so much?

[Imran Siddiqui]

They get paltry sums compared to what they could be making in the private world. I mean, if you made the wage $30,000... they'd just go for one term and jump onto a lobbying company (because they have an 'in' now) and make tons!

[Dr. Nick]

Politicians should not be paid a dime. They do it because of the wish to serve the nation, right? Give them enough to eat, clothe, roof and educate their families.

[Imran Siddiqui]

They do it because of the wish to serve the nation, right? Give them enough to eat, clothe, roof and educate their families.

That's relative... for me to do all that... $200,000 .

[Al B. Sure!]

politicians should get paid some money because we don't want to have the situation we had in some Southern states in the early 19th century where only the wealthy held office cause all the farmers couldn't afford to serve as officeholders as they would starve.

But there's no reason why politicians should get paid more than the average american.


Imran:

They get paltry sums compared to what they could be making in the private world. I mean, if you made the wage $30,000... they'd just go for one term and jump onto a lobbying company (because they have an 'in' now) and make tons!

What's your point?


thanks

[Imran Siddiqui]

What's your point?

I'd rather have highly skilled people being politicians and staying in office for many, many years .

[Imran Siddiqui]

But there's no reason why politicians should get paid more than the average american.

Because they do MORE than the average American, and we want the best and brightest for the job, we need to pay them.

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by Albert Speer
bah... media scrutiny? What the hell is that? Have a few cameramen taking pictures of you? Yeah that's a real big problem that deserves them getting so much money...

do you realize how stupid that sounds? These are not special people. We live in a Republic, NOT A FEUDAL KINGDOM! Politicians should live like every other single American in the country. How in God's name can they represent the average American if they're sipping champagne in their mansions!

Your ignorance always amuses me. Every time politicians give themselves a pay rise there are screaming headlines - that keeps a lid on their pay and conditions. Very few of them live in mansions unless they have wealth from other sources. They get paid above average wages because frankly they work a lot harder than your average person. But what they get is nothing like worthwhile for what they do. Most people go into politics because they are public spirited and/or for the power, not for the money - that is laughable.

Its also an almost completely thankless job and perhaps the worst part is they have to deal with people every day with your attitude Speer.

[Goingonit]

There are expenses involved in being a politiian; if politicians weren't payed well, they'd have to be independently wealthy, thus restricting the candidate pool. Politics used to be like that.

[Shi Huangdi]

Paying politicians hefty salaries is a neccesary evil. Impoverished politicians would be even more susceptible to bribery.

[Dr Strangelove]

If you pay the politicians too litte all you'll get is crooks, they'll simply supplement their income with kickbacks and graft. Also, as suggested above, providing good pay makes the jobs available to people who aren't wealthy.

[Spiffor]

Most politicians work 14 hours a day, without going on 'Poly during the working time. Not many CEOs work more, but they get and get tons of money from it. A politician has almost no private life, but his family can have one : to afford some extras is normal. About the facts that only rich would be politicians : maybe not raising the wages would be the solution, but giving a losing politician some guarantees would be good : if I was a worker, I wouldn't risk to present myself at the elections, knowing i'd lose my job and my wage for some weeks / months (it's much work to be on campaing).

Plus, politicians are not responsible for the level of wages in their country : the economy does so, and in a capitalist society such as the US, economy is very free from the state (no imposed wages, no maximum working hours a day etc.). In a communist country, I'd agree politicians should earn as much as a normal citizen, since they decide what wages are. In the US, not.

[Al B. Sure!]

I am surprised for real...

We live in a Republic. These people are not gods. They are just like any of the rest of us. They are no better than us. They are called only to represent us. As I said before... what do rich bastards represent? A small minority of wealthy? People who live in mansions can not represent the average man. How can our politicians even pass laws in favour of the average man if they live so different.

I say stick half of Congress in the poor districts of D.C. so that they can pass their laws, etc. in accordance to what they experience which will be what half of America experiences.


thanks

[Tingkai]

At the same time, paying lots of money doesn't guarantee quality.

The head of the Hong Kong government makes more than double the salary of the US president and Tung Chee-hwa is a twit.

What countries should do is institute a bonus system to create an incentive to look after economic factors. For example:

$10,000 bonus for every percentage point drop in the unemployment rate.
$10,000 bonus for every percentage point increase in GDP growth rate.
$50,000 bonus for balancing the budget.

[Alexander's Horse]

Who treats politicians as "Gods"? My impression is that in most Western countries they are treated worse than the average person. Certainly the public has little respect for them.

[Imran Siddiqui]

As I said before... what do rich bastards represent?

Rich? How is $133,000 (US Congress) make them rich bastards?

My impression is that in most Western countries they are treated worse than the average person.

Worse than ****, really.