Then the only people who can actually be congresspeople will be the ones who are already rich. Public service should pay enough that those who work in government shouldn't need a second source of income to provide for their families. Paying politicians $10k a year will only incentivize them to accept bribes from lobbyist and corporations, leading to career politicians.
I never said that if you pay them enough then they won't take bribes. You could pay them a billion dollars a year and there'll still be some corrupt bastards looking for bribes.
What I was saying was that if you don't pay them anything, then it will be impossible for regular, working class people to ever become politicians.
These old career politicians don't become millionaires from their federal salaries.they have PACs and get paid to be guest speakers. After they quit, they get paid millions a year to be consultants or some bullshit title VP where they only meet once a year to justify "working".
Manchin has a yatch and he's from one of the poorest states. Boats in general are a huge money sink and this asshole has a boat with enough square footage to be a regular house, 1500.
Whenever I think of West Virginia I think of rundown early 20th century homes and barefoot kids in overalls. I know it's a stereotype, but check out that video. It's so sad that they fight so hard for the coal mines that killed 3 generations because it's the only steady income in the area.
I don't condone killing politicians, but I do think tar and feathering should become fashionable again. If you're too old to outrun your constituents or survive your chickening, you're to old to represent them.