As was Mrs. McCain. And I’m sure a bunch of other congressional spouses. Makes the raises even more ridiculous.
Maybe keeping up with COL would actually provide a way for non-rich people to dedicate their time to serve in Congress, therefore providing better representation for non-rich constituents?
Still have to be rich to get elected in most cases. I was pretty happy to see AOC’s story after the election regardless of our political differences.
Right, but my point was that not keeping up with COLA will move the needle towards having to be rich to get elected, instead of away from it. So if you don't want to restrict access to anybody but the super-rich to elected positions, you should be in favor of COLA raises, not against.
Are our CEOs overpaid? I know mine is based on our stock performance. $170K for an important job isn't that much TBH.
New Hampshire has the right idea. State Reps and Sens get $100 per yr and for an extra $8.00 a Special Lic Plate that allows them to travel the many many toll roads in NH for free. Beat that with a stick! Ps....unfortunately the plate identifies them as such so I'm sure they are 2nd Amendment practitioners!
My congressman has a more important job than my CEO. He could be replaced by nearly any schmuck in the C suite or outside the company
It depends. Does the Congressperson have to maintain 2 homes? If someone represents me, they damn well better live in their district -- even if it's part time which many of them do. That is not cheap. Yes, $170K a year is really good money, but not if you have a family, keep two residences, etc. I'm not in favor of breaking the piggy bank for them, but I also don't think people need to go into debt to serve either.
Meanwhile: While in office, the U.S. president receives a salary of $400,000 a year and a $50,000 expense account. Trump works PT so maybe he's worth $200K
Actually I think the House should be comprised of "the common man (or woman)". I am just tired of AOC's whining, first it because she couldn't find an apartment in D.C. just after her election because she wasn't drawing a paycheck yet. Then she backed off her assertion than lawmakers should forgo salary during a government shutdown. Now she wants a pay raise after 5 months on the job to help pay for her posh new luxury apartment. Call it a COLA or whatever makes you feel good, but she is quickly adjusting the the Congressional lifestyle. It should also be noted that she is already a multi-millionaire just of the rights to her story for the cable documentary... never mind the bobblehead sales.
Apparently, yes. Cheezmad suggests that because most people tend to acquire wealth over a lifetime of work that it is the same as our elected officials getting fabulously filthy rich in a relatively short amount of time.
Isn't he not taking any salary as President, to strum the rubes? He makes his money by playing golf at his own courses and charging the rack rate for the secret service at Barf A Lago.
He takes money off hacks like Obama? New appreciation for "Orangeman Bad" where there was none before.
Really enjoyed a round of golf with President @realDonaldTrump today. President Trump shot a 73 in windy and wet conditions!— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 9, 2017 73...that's some Kim Jong Un lackey material right thar
I lived in New Hampshire briefly, in the early 1990's. At that time, state legislators made $50 annually, and the residents seemed quite proud that they were home to the largest 'citizen' legislature in the country (there were a total of 650 reps in both houses). Each representative did receive a mileage allowance for them to travel back and forth to Concord for regular and special sessions, plus committee meetings that might be called when the legislature was not in session. The town I lived in had 4 state representatives (2 men and 2 women). They were all Republicans, with 3 of them being considered moderates and 1 conservative. A neighboring town also had 4 state reps (1 woman and 3 men). Three of those reps were Democrats, with the woman serving as the House minority leader. At the time of my residency in NH, I worked in the news division of a small radio station. Like anywhere else though, politicians were easy to contact and get interviews with interesting sound-bites.
Working is not the best way to acquire wealth. Inheriting wealth is the best way. Workingndoesnt really generate much wealth these days because wages are so damned low. Theres a reason why so many Americans cant afford a few hundred dollar emergency, medical bankruptcies, and on and on. If you want. wealth, marry into it or be born into it. Otherwise you've a tough road ahead of you.