Quote:
Originally posted by archer2371
Indeed, they need to stop giving themselves some big fat pay raises. Being a politician should be like a side job, not the main source of income for someone, that way they actually have to work. Back when the country was founded and even a good ways in, most of the politicians were mainly practicing lawyers, doctors, or they had some other job that was their main income, and they served as politicians to better the people, not to make money.
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Back in the day that was exactly what happened, so elected officials could only represent the interests of lawyers and surgeons and independently wealthy folk with stock portfolios and rather nice estates - just like them.
Then you got salaries and suddenly other folk could go into politics. Two of my favourite politicians were previously a boilermaker and a train driver. And salaries aren't exactly massive. Not even 'President of the United States' is the most lucrative job on the basis of salary alone.
The real problem is the former politician who joins the board of a major company; has "friends" and knows what laws are "due for a change" in congress. Blatant conflict of interest is a nasty, nasty thing.
Asking "do you like politicians?" is like asking "do you like lawyers?". Which ones? The lawyer who does pro bono work for refugees or the RIAA lawyers?