Congressman

[Ben Kenobi]

What would it take to get you to serve as a Congressman?

Assuming all the bills will be covered, as part of your 'allowance', any fees to move, etc.

What salary would motivate you to do the job. I'm assuming you have to pay nothing to campaign, and the job is already yours.

[Jon Miller]

I thought congressmen got 240k?

JM

[CrONoS]

Right now: 50k-100k

[snoopy369]

[q=about.com]The current salary (2008) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $169,300 per year.[/q]

I don't know what I'd ask for myself, though I probably would be fine with $169k. The complexity of pay includes things like maintaining two residences and other costs, lots of travel only some of which is covered, and the whole "pay them enough so they don't feel like they need to take bribes/gifts/etc." theory (which I actually generally agree with).

[Ben Kenobi]

I thought congressmen got 240k?

This is a thought experiment.

I'm asking you what you would need to do a job like this.

It can be whatever you want, even that tractor if that's what you want out of life.

[Ben Kenobi]

The complexity of pay includes things like maintaining two residences and other costs, lots of travel only some of which is covered, and the whole "pay them enough so they don't feel like they need to take bribes/gifts/etc." theory (which I actually generally agree with).

Assume the cost of the second residence and the travel back and forth is considered essential to the performance of your duties, so that would be covered in full.

[snoopy369]

Given the cost of living in DC, you are already heading well up the list there, sir. If your point is something other than "congressmen are paid too well / not enough", fine, but if that is the relevant point of interest you can't very well exclude those things (which are not actually excluded in RL)

[Asher]

Hell no.

[Ben Kenobi]

Given the cost of living in DC, you are already heading well up the list there, sir. If your point is something other than "congressmen are paid too well / not enough", fine, but if that is the relevant point of interest you can't very well exclude those things (which are not actually excluded in RL)

If we aren't paying them a salary, then the consequence is that they need to have the basics covered, such as a place to say in Washington, and for their travel expenses back and forth.

I'm thinking a place a maybe 1k a month or so to stay.

[Aeson]

Would we be able to post on poly while "on the job"?

I'd do it for free. I doubt I'd accomplish much, but hopefully I would be the first person to ask a knock-knock joke on the House floor.

[Aeson]

And I think Congressmen should work from cubicles in an office building.

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


If we aren't paying them a salary, then the consequence is that they need to have the basics covered, such as a place to say in Washington, and for their travel expenses back and forth.

I'm thinking a place a maybe 1k a month or so to stay.

You're not thinking hard enough then if you want them to live in DC. 1K a month isn't going to cut it ... and anyhow that puts it well above your lowest few levels anyway.

Anyhow, be honest with us and actually make your point rather than pretending you didn't post this for a reason...

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Singapore pays their government reps a fortune by American standards -- the prime minister makes about USD$4 million a year, iirc. The logic is that they are competing with the private sector for talent, and so have to offer competitive wages; otherwise, they'll get second-raters, encourage corruption, or both.

Me, I already work for the government for peanuts, so I'd do that as a congressman too.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by snoopy369
You're not thinking hard enough then if you want them to live in DC. 1K a month isn't going to cut it ... and anyhow that puts it well above your lowest few levels anyway

BK is clearly saying that the pay ($'s in the poll) is on top of living/moving/job related expenses which would be provided for.

[Darius871]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly
The logic is that they are competing with the private sector for talent, and so have to offer competitive wages; otherwise, they'll get second-raters, encourage corruption, or both.

They've got a point!