why are politicians so crooked and corrupt? Listen to what i think they should do.?

Question

i think they should pay politicians an average wage that puts them in the middle class america so, then we can have politicans who are in it to help the american people and not for the money.

i forgot about the power. does anyone know how we can limit their power?

Answer 1

Politicians may be in it for the money...but it isn't their salaries.

Answer 2

This sounds like a good way to attract even less competent and more corrupt people to office... Why would anyone take a job, with this level of responsibility for less money than he could make in the private sector?

The best way to attract the best people is to offer more money; what may tempt a poor man would be laughable to a rich one...

The base pay of a politician could be rather moderate but should be directly linked with performance; with targets and generous bonuses etc...

Answer 3

No one runs for public office for the money. It really doesn't pay that well. There are much easier ways to get rich. A Member of Congress makes $165,200 a year. They have to maintain two residences. One in their home district and one in the DC area. A cheap DC one bedroom apartment rents for $1,000 a month. Finding a condo or townhouse under $200,000 is almost impossible in most safe areas of the city. Finding a single family house of that is unheard of.

Plus, they aren't all crooked and corrupt. There are 435 House Members and 100 Senators. Most of them work in relative obscurity doing the best they can to represent their beliefs and the beliefs of the people they represent.

I'd like to see evidence that they are all crooked or corrupt. I know many that aren't.

Answer 4

What about those who seek power? I think it is great that you analyzed the situation, and then thought up a solution. That definately is noteworthy!

Unfortunately, there are more motivators than money. Power is a very strong motivator. Often, power comes with money, but not all the time. There seems to be no surefire way to beat corruption in poltics, but your idea could atleast help a little.

Good question!

Answer 5

Ever hear 'power corrupts.' Politicians who get elected to office hold power, therefore they become corrupt (if they weren't already).

With power comes the option of abusing that power to gain wealth. A political office that pays poorly actually increases the temptation for such abuses, so your solution is unlikely to be effective.

Answer 6

I wish we would do this! Most of them are already wealthy and have no clue as to how the rest of us live.
They have health care when we don't, great pay, and a lot of money under the table.
I'd like to wipe out the whole Washington scene and start over.

Answer 7

Most politicians are not in it for the government pay. They're in it for the power and the benefits derived from that power, which includes money, gifts, trips, contributions, sweetheart deals, etc..

Answer 8

I agree with you. The salary these people get is a little out of control. But then, who would want to finish their masters and phd's if they are going to get an average wage. Then maybe people of mediocre intelligence will run our country. But at least they will be honest!

Answer 9

That sounds like a good idea. But government exist because it is easier to pay one master thief than every thug that comes down the road. You have to take the bitter with sweet.

Answer 10

Most of them are already so wealthy that the salary they receive in office is mere pocket change.
They go into to it for the power and influence, not the paycheck.

Answer 11

I second that notion. But make them live in the district they represent. So those representing the slums and ghetto can experience what the people they represent are going through. They probably won't even run in those areas anymore.