Moran the moron

[Magyar]

Sometimes you have to believe that politicians are simply brainless when it comes to common sense.


“I think the American people should know that the members of Congress are underpaid,” Moran told CQ Roll Call. “I understand that it’s widely felt that they underperform, but the fact is that this is the board of directors for the largest economic entity in the world.”
…


Really, no one told this idiot that the average american hasnt had a raise in 30 years!
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/04/04/house-democrat-congress-underpaid.html

 

[hgc]

I don't know if they should get paid more or not, but I'll say this -- the average American does not have to maintain a 2nd home in Washington at their own cost in order to do their job.

 

[The Don]

None of the following means that I know whether politicians are underpaid or overpaid but.....

Comparing politicians' salary to average earnings isn't fair, they are usually far more qualified and are further along in their careers. A fairer comparison would more likely people with degrees in their 50s or 60s.

Saying that representatives only work 120 days per year because that's how many days congress is in session ignores all the work that good politicians do locally on behalf of their constituents. Certainly my local (UK) MP has worked on my behalf when he's not at the house of commons.

 

[TragicMonkey]

I'll agree to pay them more...if and only if they all open all their personal finances to public scrutiny. They want to cry poor, let them prove it. We can also monitor them for corruption, bribery, and sleazy dealing.

 

[Ranb]

I don't know if they should get paid more or not, but I'll say this -- the average American does not have to maintain a 2nd home in Washington at their own cost in order to do their job.

Don't they get to deduct the cost of that 2nd home from their income? I was not aware of any former Congressperson who quit over pay/compensation issues.

ETA; I've been calling Moran a moron since 2005. This led to an accusation by Cleon that I was a sock puppet.

Ranb

 

[The Don]

Don't they get to deduct the cost of that 2nd home from their income? I was not aware of any former Congressperson who quit over pay/compensation issues.

Quite possibly but were there excellent candidates who thought that the hassle/pay balance was too skewed and so didn't want to run for congress. I'm in the UK and while being an MP sounds superficially interesting, I'd have to take a significant pay cut, work far harder and much more unsociable hours and open myself up for all kinds of criticism about my personal life that I simply do not encounter now.

 

[Ranb]

I don't think anyone is doing that kind of job for the pay. It is the power, influence, devotion to duty etc.

Ranb

 

[Ladewig]

I don't know if they should get paid more or not, but I'll say this -- the average American does not have to maintain a 2nd home in Washington at their own cost in order to do their job.

They are allowed to sleep in their offices to save money.

Not a popular option, but more than a couple freshmen have done it.

 

[TragicMonkey]

They are allowed to sleep in their offices to save money.

Not a popular option, but more than a couple freshmen have done it.

Perhaps that's why they're always having affairs with interns--they just need a place to stay the night, poor things.

 

[Chaos]

I don't think anyone is doing that kind of job for the pay. It is the power, influence, devotion to duty etc.

Ranb

Also do not underestimate the potential for being bribed - either directly or in the form of overpaid "consultant" jobs afterwards.