He’s not alone: AOC and others have argued lawmakers should be paid more in order to protect against corruption and make the job more accessible.

  • @antihumanitarian
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    1010 months ago

    While it sounds absurd, between travel expenses and needing to maintain residency in the state and the very expensive DC, $174,000 really doesn’t stretch very far. Instead of just paying them more, a housing and transit stipend might be prudent.

    • @[email protected]
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      910 months ago

      I read a proposal a while back about creating a dorm-like apartment complex for legislators that would be included free with the job with strong incentives to live there over private homes. This would also have the added benefit of improving personal relationships between the representatives so that they would be more inclined to work together and collaborate across party lines.

      • @[email protected]
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        210 months ago

        It also makes it easier for private citizens to, uh, replace large sections of government in one fell swoop

    • @[email protected]
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      510 months ago

      Yeah, I’d be much more inclined to agree with your last sentence. The fact that a second residency and travel is required, means they should be covered by their employer. In this case, that’s us, which means it should be covered by our taxes.

      If this was any other profession, it wouldn’t be an out of pocket cost.

    • @Ensign_Crab
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      410 months ago

      When someone cannot afford the necessary means to do their job in any other context, we don’t raise their pay.

      • @[email protected]
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        010 months ago

        Think about what you’re saying though. It boils down to “only the rich should be in government.”

        Is that really what we want?

        • @Ensign_Crab
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          110 months ago

          It’s what we already have.

            • @Ensign_Crab
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              110 months ago

              I’m suggesting that raising Lauren Boebert’s salary isn’t going to solve it.

              • @[email protected]
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                010 months ago

                If that’s all you’re taking away from this, I can only assume you’re not understanding the situation being talked about.

                • @Ensign_Crab
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                  110 months ago

                  I understand the situation. You think Lauren Boebert isn’t rich enough and deserves more money for the work she does for you.