Should a percentage of politicians pay be tied to economical stats?

Question

Why should the pay for elected and appointed people be guaranteed when the American public is suffering. Should things be changed so that based on a variety of statistics a part of the pay received by those in government reflects the health of the country as a whole?

This wouldn't mean that if politicians do well they get more. It would be based on a fixed salary where if certain statistical goals are met full pay would be awarded to those in office. Should things go bad politicians would suffer with pay loss.

If a senator's pay is $160,000 a year that would be the maximum pay he could achieve. Should the economy slump hi pay could be brought down to $100,000 per year.

I wouldn't expect people who get into office to suffer much from this but it would be a way for those in office to suffer with the country as a whole. Why should those who create problems be allowed to get raises indefinitely. Have Reps or Senators ever been laid off or taken a pay cut?

Any thoughts on this idea?

Answer 1

I dislike the idea. The politicians already get a job review every 2, 4 or 6 years, depending on the office. Their employers can either keep them on or replace them at that time.

Answer 2

I don't think anyone should be able to make a living off being in politics, period. It's supposed to be run by the people...right? Politicians right now couldn't be any further than the actual people they govern. How many people do you know are making $160K a year? And they make alot more than that because they get all kinds of perks and under the table deals. The entire US gov't needs an overhaul, focus more on that then worrying about politicians and what their salaries should be.

Answer 3

you could fix the problem much easier. institute term limits in the house and senate to eradicate career politicians. limit senators to 3 6 year terms and representatives to nine 2 year terms. that gives each member of congress 18 years (more than 4 full presidential terms or about 1 generation) to accomplish something before they have to make way for someone with fresh ideas and (hopefully) idealism.
secondly, stop the entitlement system in congress. ex-congressman shall receive health and pension benefits for their time served. not for life as is the practice now.
if you limit the number of terms a congressman can have you increase his risk of being voted out of office due to unpopularity. this should keep them on the straight and narrow of taking care of the country and their constituents and less concerned with shoring up their own power and that of their party.

Answer 4

I think there should be a system implemented where their constinuents are regularly ( maybe every 6 months or a year ) be polled ( reliably ) on issues that the Senator votes on.
Then you could come up with a system of ok Senator ( whoever ) you only voted with your consituencies wishes 65% of the time. I think its time to fire you.
On the other hand you could have Senator ( whoever ) who voted with his constituency every time. Well maybe they should get a bonus or at least reelected.

Answer 5

You have made an assumption that they are motivated by their monthly salary. The raise millions from donations and are allowed to keep as much as they want. They collect big bucks from lobbyists all the time as well as perks.

Most are bought and paid for in full. in the private sector we pay CEOs tens of millions to keep them from looting the companies they run.

Answer 6

I wish there were no taxes, the economy would be stronger and people would be better off.

Answer 7

just imagine the bogus stats we'd be subjected to.

like old soviet crop reports