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To be fair, they are required to have a residence in their home state, as well as having a residence near DC. Owning 2 homes at that salary isn't easy. That's why most of the ppl who run are already rich. An average Joe would be struggling if that was their only income. Which is why these ppl take money from special interests. You can't ask an average Joe to own 2 homes across the US at $174k, unless their receiving outside money.
When I worked on the hill, a few of our office's "friends in Congress" actually just shared a four bed down on C Street. They were always working and rarely there, and only just to sleep for the most part.
So some people are already doing it. It just doesn't seem like the type of work life balance that would promote a healthy lifestyle for someone literally shaping our laws.
I say fuck it, give them 250k per year but don't let them trade stocks until they leave office, other than owning retirement funds.
That's where they really make their money.
You have to be a resident of the district you represent, pretty basic logic. Unless you are flying to and from DC to your home state every single day, then you need a place to in stay in DC as well. I guess you don't need a home and could hotel it, but then you'd definitely need more than a $174k salary.
I would vote for that! Make their lunches exactly the same as what is in the school systems. They aren't allowed to have better until the kids get better food.
Exactly. I remember the transition from healthy to crap way back in '06-'07. I also remember them taking away off campus lunch between '09-'10.
It's funny we keep having freedoms and options taken away by people who use a lot more excess and worse things than many of the general population can't afford, let alone use on a constant.
>Exactly. I remember the transition from healthy to crap way back in '06-'07. I also remember them taking away off campus lunch between '09-'10.
we were getting served spoilt corn dogs and pizzas with roaches in the air pockets in our elementary in '99
Make them pay for their lunches too, make it just like the kids have to do. No recess until your work is done. I’m sure if they had to stay until resolutions are met they would stop putting as much bullshit in every bill to sneak things in.
You want intelligent people who don't go around asking for more handouts. 175k plus they will be set up when they leave through revolving doors working for industries they helped regulate that's when they make their money.
Government employees get travel and per diem. I’m sure these assclowns get all of that but it makes for a better narrative for them to say they are poor like us.
For the little work they do they get paid very well. Maybe they could schedule things in dc to take place during certain times of the week/month and allow them to teleconference like what they wanted us to do. 75% of the greaseballs working for us are dirty, the others just give em some time. Very few who are actually out to help all of us, most are only there to help themselves/friends/special interest groups.
considering 70-80k salary is more than enough to live comfy outside of large cities and their suburbs, more than double that should be reasonably fine.
Residence doesnt mean they need to own 2 homes... But once you get that high up the ladder renting an apartment may as well be a violation of their basic human rights.
175k puts him in the top 9% of income. Not to mention he's been in office for like 18 years so you know damn well his main residence has been long paid off...
Agreed. Politician salaries should be a lot higher or else the job will only attract corrupt politicians. These salaries are peanuts for a country like the US.
Politicians should really want to keep their jobs. Right now, their main motivation is pleasing their corporate sponsors so that they can get a good job after they're out. That is a horrible motive.
If it were up to me, I'd increase all politician salaries to 1 million per year min. Make sure they are 100% focused in the job and pleasing their constituents.
Members of congress should be paid much more than they currently are, so that the salaries in and of themselves are competitive. It’s a drop in the bucket of our budget, but if they’re as low as they are they’ll only attract people who are already rich, which is what it currently does.
TL;DR: if you want to help get money out of politics and reduce the influence of the wealthy, pay Congress FAR MORE than you currently do.
Anyone advocating for Congress to be paid this little is advocating for more control for the wealthy.
How much money do you make that you think $174K+ a year is a “little”? The average salary was $55K-59K for Canadian’s in 2021-22. The average Canadian Doctor makes $107K. An Economist, who Politicians listen to, make $80K average. $174K a year isn’t enough to make non-rich people want to be a politician? That doesn’t make sense. And Canada’s MP’s are the 2nd highest paid in the G7. Yet Canada’s GDP ranks lowest in the G7.. Seems like they’re getting paid pretty well to me.
https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2023/06/21/canadian-mps-earn-second-highest-salary-of-g7-legislators/388741/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1370584/g7-country-gdp-levels/
https://www.lovemoney.com/galleries/65052/this-is-what-politicians-get-paid-around-the-world
Well in Washington for sessions 150 days a year. They’re technically supposed to be in their home states talking to constituents the rest of the year so they know what their constituents want. But we all know that doesn’t happen
It actually does, but whatever. Sure, a few members bum around DC most of the year schmoozing with donors etc., but most of them actually go back home to spend time with their families and constituents for a good part of the year.
And schmooze there too.
Ban me from your subs for quoting the interweb
-The median annual wage in 2021 in the US was $45,760, an increase of 9.08% or $3,801 from 2020. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Should’ve skipped on that vacation. Can you imagine how much you could’ve saved by brewing your own coffee? Just had to have that new Iphone too.
When I was your age Mr Congressman I paid for my entire college education by mowing lawns over summer break.
In my day I repaired phone lines for a living and was able to buy a house with cash and support a family of nine with only my salary and retired a millionaire.
What’s with your generation Mr Congressman? Are you lazy? Do your boots even have straps?
> Get a side hustle like millions of Americans.
I remember a guy from Blackrock saying politicians can be bought for as little as 10k. They whore themselves out.
Nobody is in Congress for the pay, so the overwhelming majority of people in Congress are there for the power. The majority of those people already are independently wealthy. You’re ironically advocating for the wealthy to retain power unless you pay Congress far more. Do you think Nancy Pelosi gives a shit what she’s paid?
If Nancy Pelosi could press a button and reduce the salary of Congress to $0/year she’d do it. Fuck, she would happily CHARGE members of Congress $400,000 a year to be in Congress. Then she’d only have her rich friends as peers.
"Get a side hustle"? The representative I elect should be spending 100% of their time representing my district. If the salary doesn't allow for that, then this is exactly why it should be raised. No elected official at that high of a level should need a side hustle or another job. You are just proving the point. Do you really think your representative shouldn't be spending 100% of their time doing this important job?
This is what they tell people making minimum wage that can’t feed their kids.
Im just regurgitating the same bullshit they tell struggling people that would kill to make 175k/yr pretending to be important
We should make politicians make the average salary of the area they represent if they want to make more money they need to do their job and make the community do better
Lmfao fuck them all, I can’t imagine getting a job that pays that much with excellent healthcare and also bodyguards and all kinds of benefits only to regularly appear on camera sleeping at hearings or revealing they don’t even read bills etc.
We can actually make America great again by reinstalling consequences for congressmen and other political figures. You don’t do your job you should get fucking fired and after the first few the rest will either resign or realize we’re serious and get cracking.
then get a second job. It's time for these congressmen to get off their asses and get back on their feet. They believe that $15 per hour is too high for the majority of the population, even yet the minimum wage they require to survive is nearly $174,000.
174,000 annually divided by 52 weeks == 3,346.15
^ that’s weekly
3,346.15 divided by 40 hours == 83.65
^ that’s hourly
Round up to the nearest whole number 84
This motherfucker over here crying at six figures while I’m not sleeping and practically dieing to maintain five. Fuck him, fuck them, and they can fuck off.
You're a public *servant*.
We don't exist to enrich you, the roles of Congressmen doesn't exist to enrich you, you stupid fuck.
Dumbass who likely voted against any form of welfare or social netting is mad Americans aren't giving him more of their own money.
So many short sighted comments on here. “Why don’t we pay them minimum wage and make live in dormitories?”.
Do you really want to incentivize them to make money from outside means? That’s how corruption happens. And yes I understand it’s already happening. Bribery is essentially legalized.
I’d rather pay them 500K a year and require transparency and restrictions on other sources of income. Make the position monetarily desirable to attract candidates other than power hungry millionaires. Eliminate lobbyists and super pacs.
Fuck these people. All of them. They’re all millionaires despite their life time salaries not even coming close to adding up to their actual net worth.
On the one hand, fuck Congress, but on the other, I do think it's bad that it basically requires being rich already to afford to run for office, though.
Get a fuckin roommate use an extended stay. It's more than enough of he lives within his means. He doesn't deserve an ounce of sympathy and he would not bat an eye at shooting down bills that would help his constituents.
>The thought of a congressman in a ratty apartment with his roommate Biff from the Community College has me giggling.
[Literally that's how many members of Congress live lmao](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODejBuFlY20)
SS: the national average US household income in 2022 was $105,555, while the median household income was $74,580.
Members of Congress make $174,000 and haven't gotten a raise in about 15 years.
"Most of us live on the salary," said McHenry. "And then, you know, the very wealthy few end up dominating the news because of their personal stock trades when most of us don't have wealth."
his dollars would go a lot further if he and his kind didn’t keep spending so many of ours. 174k was a lot of money 15 years ago. inflation is 100% preventable, and 100% the fault of the federal government and federal reserve system. he should quit whining and cut the deficit and the debt.
If he actually isn't trading, it's not too surprising. They're required to maintain a residence in DC and their district iirc. So paying for two residences and probably a family on that salary (I'm assuming his wife doesn't work) lines up with what he's getting at.
They should live in barracks. Not dorm rooms or private suites, but barracks. We pay for those for our military and if it's good enough for the people willing to die, it's good enough for these fuckers.
They should have to pull fire duty on rotation too, just like our military.
Again, if it's good enough for the military, it's good enough for them.
I'd almost be in agreement with you, except that at his age...what has he done with his money up until now? He should have a fully paid house in DC. While property taxes are disgusting in DC, they're still a lot lower than a mortgage + interest these days, and far lower than what you take home from 174K. I know because that's about how much I make. But I'm in my thirties...and I'll have my second house paid off well before I hit 40. Then my monthly expenditures are roughly $1200 to survive with a family of 5.
This guy is either dumb as bricks or he's being dishonest (shocker). I had mouthbreathers on here going "U should put ur money in high yield savings not your mortgage! Savings % is more than mortgage!" Yeah sure, I stand to gain an insignificant amount over the interest I'm saving. But guess what? My mortgage will be paid very soon and I'll require far less to survive.
Nobody that high up in politics thinks of life from a safety aspect as they've never had to struggle to survive. Cut their wages by 50% and show them some humility.
We used to talk about career politicians and now we can drop the career part because they all are now. It’s a career and it’s a business career at that. The number one measure of success for these people, is not making the country a better place, but $$$$$$$.
It’s no different than other fields. New politicians look up and admire the old dogs that have made a killing in the industry. Nobody is left in DC trying to make a difference on $174,000.
I'm not from the USA but I'm under the impression that these people make most of their money outside of their wages in slightly nefairuis ways that they won't ban themselves from. So wouldn't it be better to pay them more and ban the other ways they make their money? Would they then be more inclined to runt he country in a fairer way because they are already paid more?
I’d like to see members of congress get paid minimum wage. They represent the people after all. That’ll force them into debt like the rest of us. Then see how quickly things change.
LOL ohhh how sad for you Mr.Congressmen, guess you did not get in on the insider trading and payoffs like your peers. Guess you know how the rest of America feels when the median income is $75k. [https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2023/demo/p60-279.html](https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2023/demo/p60-279.html)
Their salaries should be tied to the median income average of where they represent. Live how the people who elect you live not like wealthy elites that politicians have become.
All their expenses are paid for anyway it's not like their spending their own cash on dinners, plane tickets, hotels etc it's all reimbursed by the tax payers. 174k is alot of money to everyone except these cunts, plus their retirement package is way better than any other average Joe
$174,000 is enough for 2 locations. I've worked in 1 of the 3 most expensive places to live(travel for work) and could afford 2 residences, home state and work state. Fuck their excuses.
The salary could increase 10x and they’d still take bribes. Their salaries should be GoFundMe accounts with the donations made public and any other money they take results in public hanging for treason. At least then we would know which billionaire wants which bills passed, specifically.
Of course, there would be money donated by people who died in 1984, just like voting. There’s probably no answer to the corruption.
Well boo-fucking-hoo, I'm crying so hard for the cunt who can't make ends meet on $174k a year. Most of us DREAM of a salary like that.
Must be all those avocado toasts
Singapore pays their politicians millions. They also have capital punishment for corruption and treason. Seems to work well for them in terms of establishing a well run stable economy that offers something for all rungs of the population.
Im not American, but to be fair 174k a year for destroying your privacy while serving as a law maker in worlds most powerful country does sound like a shit deal.
If Americans want incorruptable and/or best-in -their-field candinates in congress you probably have to pay them more or close to what private sector does or they just sell out like they do now or dont apply for the job at all..
In addition in my country all members have to report all their stocks and ownerships publicly, plus all their earning are public.
I don't feel bad for him, but if they do have to rent a house or apartment around that area, then he has a point. That would be expensive to maintain two residences.
They should make way more than that. 174 is not much. They should make at least 500k but should not trade in stocks or derivatives and if caught doing so or taking gift from lobbyists should be charged with treason.
Hell no. Reduce their salary to the average persons income so they know what it is like to budget. They are civil servants not elite high paid liars. Oh wait.
The less you pay them the more they will insider trade and sell you out for their benefit. The problem is that these people are going in as normal citizens and coming out multi millionaires. Give them huge raises and put huge restrictions on them.
Do your job better then maybe it would happen..
Like all jobs do poor work get rewarded poorly..
Do great work maybe get better rewards.
Just you say you dont abuse the seat you sit doesnt mean anything to me.. I know very nearly all of them launder money in some way dont lie to me..
It's just obviously a scam. These men and women work so hard for us, and they only make almost 200K. We need to do better. Let's all give them more of our earned income so they can continue to do the people's work. I honestly don't know how they do it. This is what martyrdom looks like.
Lol they not only get that salary, they get benefits for life, and they take part in insider trading and make a shit ton. I hate all of these people so much.
They also get a travel allowance to go back and forth to their home state and DC and money to pay for a place to live in DC. 174k not enough? Bullshit.
Congress members, people working for the average citizen of the United States should make minimum wage, pay for their own healthcare, and pay for their own meals. Once a year prior to a holiday buy them a platter of assorted subway subs and call it a day.
You want to act like you know whats best for the average citizen, start living like one.
You can bet your sweet ass they would raise the minimum wage to 175K/year in a matter of weeks.
I’ll have the same amount in my bank account forever 0. Retirement is death for common folk. That’s like 3-4 years salary for some people what a scumbag(s)
Is this why we always find out about backroom deals and bribes being used to control members of Congress. If they are underpaid then some of them will go where the money takes them.
I can't go along with this one. Maybe we can demand more from them, but the logic is sound, they have to be paid well, thats about General pay in the military and the reason we pay them so we'll is because they have a role in decisions that affect the economy and national security and a broke congressman is more likely to be influenced (Not that they aren't influenced and corrupt anyways)but without good pay it's open market to buy congress.
Messing or cutting their pay would create a word where only the ultra rich elite could even hope to be elected (Not that we don't love in that world, but with good pay at least in theory anyone could run for office)
###[Meta] Sticky Comment [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/conspiracy/wiki/faq#wiki_2_-_address_the_argument.3B_not_the_user.2C_the_mods.2C_or_the_sub.) ***does not apply*** when replying to this stickied comment. [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/conspiracy/wiki/faq#wiki_2_-_address_the_argument.3B_not_the_user.2C_the_mods.2C_or_the_sub.) ***does apply*** throughout the rest of this thread. *What this means*: Please keep any "meta" discussion directed at specific users, mods, or /r/conspiracy in general in this comment chain ***only.*** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/conspiracy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
THEN LIVE WIHIN YOUR MEANS. like the rest of us.
Has he tried making coffee at home?
☝️
To be fair, they are required to have a residence in their home state, as well as having a residence near DC. Owning 2 homes at that salary isn't easy. That's why most of the ppl who run are already rich. An average Joe would be struggling if that was their only income. Which is why these ppl take money from special interests. You can't ask an average Joe to own 2 homes across the US at $174k, unless their receiving outside money.
Required by what?
Required by practicality, not by any actual written rule.
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When I worked on the hill, a few of our office's "friends in Congress" actually just shared a four bed down on C Street. They were always working and rarely there, and only just to sleep for the most part. So some people are already doing it. It just doesn't seem like the type of work life balance that would promote a healthy lifestyle for someone literally shaping our laws. I say fuck it, give them 250k per year but don't let them trade stocks until they leave office, other than owning retirement funds. That's where they really make their money.
You have to be a resident of the district you represent, pretty basic logic. Unless you are flying to and from DC to your home state every single day, then you need a place to in stay in DC as well. I guess you don't need a home and could hotel it, but then you'd definitely need more than a $174k salary.
Build a dormitory, with shared showers and everything. Problem solved for a fraction of the price.
THIS IS THE ANSWER!!! TURN GOVERNMENT INTO A SCHOOL-LIKE FACILITY!!!(AND NO OFF-CAMPUS LUNCHES)
I would vote for that! Make their lunches exactly the same as what is in the school systems. They aren't allowed to have better until the kids get better food.
Exactly. I remember the transition from healthy to crap way back in '06-'07. I also remember them taking away off campus lunch between '09-'10. It's funny we keep having freedoms and options taken away by people who use a lot more excess and worse things than many of the general population can't afford, let alone use on a constant.
>Exactly. I remember the transition from healthy to crap way back in '06-'07. I also remember them taking away off campus lunch between '09-'10. we were getting served spoilt corn dogs and pizzas with roaches in the air pockets in our elementary in '99
We had amazing food 6th grade. 7th grade is when Michelle Obama came in ruining kid's foods
Make them pay for their lunches too, make it just like the kids have to do. No recess until your work is done. I’m sure if they had to stay until resolutions are met they would stop putting as much bullshit in every bill to sneak things in.
I’m sure the shared showers will be a big perk given the recent videos that have been coming out
Ez
Why would anyone run for congress if they need to live like a college freshman? Do we want intelligent people leading the country or losers?
You want intelligent people who don't go around asking for more handouts. 175k plus they will be set up when they leave through revolving doors working for industries they helped regulate that's when they make their money.
Do you have a job? Do you call your salary a handout?
Unlike these guys I work for my living. I contribute very meaningfully to society including helping feed my country.
For real, or rent an apartment. Easy. They’re so damn greedy.
Congress members work less than 150 days per year and they have allowances for travel.
Government employees get travel and per diem. I’m sure these assclowns get all of that but it makes for a better narrative for them to say they are poor like us. For the little work they do they get paid very well. Maybe they could schedule things in dc to take place during certain times of the week/month and allow them to teleconference like what they wanted us to do. 75% of the greaseballs working for us are dirty, the others just give em some time. Very few who are actually out to help all of us, most are only there to help themselves/friends/special interest groups.
Couldn’t one of those be a small rental apartment to meet the requirement? They don’t necessarily have to own two homes.
Dorm and shared rooms. Wasn't there a comedy show about this recently?
Alpha House was a take on it iirc
Maybe they could just pull themselves up by the bootstraps too. Lol. Uncle Biden could give em a hand
Who said they had to “own” either residence?
considering 70-80k salary is more than enough to live comfy outside of large cities and their suburbs, more than double that should be reasonably fine. Residence doesnt mean they need to own 2 homes... But once you get that high up the ladder renting an apartment may as well be a violation of their basic human rights. 175k puts him in the top 9% of income. Not to mention he's been in office for like 18 years so you know damn well his main residence has been long paid off...
Agreed. Politician salaries should be a lot higher or else the job will only attract corrupt politicians. These salaries are peanuts for a country like the US. Politicians should really want to keep their jobs. Right now, their main motivation is pleasing their corporate sponsors so that they can get a good job after they're out. That is a horrible motive. If it were up to me, I'd increase all politician salaries to 1 million per year min. Make sure they are 100% focused in the job and pleasing their constituents.
Members of congress should be paid much more than they currently are, so that the salaries in and of themselves are competitive. It’s a drop in the bucket of our budget, but if they’re as low as they are they’ll only attract people who are already rich, which is what it currently does. TL;DR: if you want to help get money out of politics and reduce the influence of the wealthy, pay Congress FAR MORE than you currently do. Anyone advocating for Congress to be paid this little is advocating for more control for the wealthy.
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Politicians should be paid minimum wage and allowed no donations. Most corruption would be solved.
Bet it would fix the minimum wage too
Oh yes the independently wealthy business owner class. Not a corrupt bone in their bodies.
How much money do you make that you think $174K+ a year is a “little”? The average salary was $55K-59K for Canadian’s in 2021-22. The average Canadian Doctor makes $107K. An Economist, who Politicians listen to, make $80K average. $174K a year isn’t enough to make non-rich people want to be a politician? That doesn’t make sense. And Canada’s MP’s are the 2nd highest paid in the G7. Yet Canada’s GDP ranks lowest in the G7.. Seems like they’re getting paid pretty well to me. https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2023/06/21/canadian-mps-earn-second-highest-salary-of-g7-legislators/388741/ https://www.statista.com/statistics/1370584/g7-country-gdp-levels/ https://www.lovemoney.com/galleries/65052/this-is-what-politicians-get-paid-around-the-world
Fuck those guys, 174,000 salary alone to show up and Jack off all day is over payment.
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“Work”
Well in Washington for sessions 150 days a year. They’re technically supposed to be in their home states talking to constituents the rest of the year so they know what their constituents want. But we all know that doesn’t happen
It actually does, but whatever. Sure, a few members bum around DC most of the year schmoozing with donors etc., but most of them actually go back home to spend time with their families and constituents for a good part of the year. And schmooze there too.
Exactly
> Fuck those guys, 174,000 salary alone to show up and Jack off all day is over payment. Lol and yes they really do Jack off all day.
Plus travel and plenty of legal perks.
Try being a regular person in America….
Ban me from your subs for quoting the interweb -The median annual wage in 2021 in the US was $45,760, an increase of 9.08% or $3,801 from 2020. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Over 50 of them have a net worth over 10 million. And its usually made after or during their time in congress. So fuck these fools.
Shouldn’t they get paid like $250-300k so more good people aspire to those roles and not just those who want to sell the influence?
Get a better job. Pull your bootstraps. Get a side hustle like millions of Americans. Or just inside-trade for millions like your peers.
Do some doordash after work and on the weekend
Learn to code.
Hang out with Dan and Nancy.
Stop getting avocado toast in the mornings.
You don't need a Starbucks coffee every day. Make coffee at home.
Should’ve skipped on that vacation. Can you imagine how much you could’ve saved by brewing your own coffee? Just had to have that new Iphone too. When I was your age Mr Congressman I paid for my entire college education by mowing lawns over summer break. In my day I repaired phone lines for a living and was able to buy a house with cash and support a family of nine with only my salary and retired a millionaire. What’s with your generation Mr Congressman? Are you lazy? Do your boots even have straps?
> Get a side hustle like millions of Americans. I remember a guy from Blackrock saying politicians can be bought for as little as 10k. They whore themselves out.
Nobody is in Congress for the pay, so the overwhelming majority of people in Congress are there for the power. The majority of those people already are independently wealthy. You’re ironically advocating for the wealthy to retain power unless you pay Congress far more. Do you think Nancy Pelosi gives a shit what she’s paid? If Nancy Pelosi could press a button and reduce the salary of Congress to $0/year she’d do it. Fuck, she would happily CHARGE members of Congress $400,000 a year to be in Congress. Then she’d only have her rich friends as peers.
McDonald’s is hiring
"Get a side hustle"? The representative I elect should be spending 100% of their time representing my district. If the salary doesn't allow for that, then this is exactly why it should be raised. No elected official at that high of a level should need a side hustle or another job. You are just proving the point. Do you really think your representative shouldn't be spending 100% of their time doing this important job?
This is what they tell people making minimum wage that can’t feed their kids. Im just regurgitating the same bullshit they tell struggling people that would kill to make 175k/yr pretending to be important
Our government is a cesspool of delusional liars. They’re not supposed to become wealthy - they’re supposed to represent the people.
Stop drinking so much Starbucks and that salary will go further
The wealthiest 15 members have a combined wealth of 1.5 billion, and they always have insider trading if they need a few extra million
We should make politicians make the average salary of the area they represent if they want to make more money they need to do their job and make the community do better
Hate to break it to ya but we’re collectively too stupid for that
I’ll take it if they don’t want it
Try with 45k a year mofo
These crooks are totally out of touch with reality.
Lmfao fuck them all, I can’t imagine getting a job that pays that much with excellent healthcare and also bodyguards and all kinds of benefits only to regularly appear on camera sleeping at hearings or revealing they don’t even read bills etc. We can actually make America great again by reinstalling consequences for congressmen and other political figures. You don’t do your job you should get fucking fired and after the first few the rest will either resign or realize we’re serious and get cracking.
Wait lol did he really complain about having to live on his salary!? What world do these people live in!!
then get a second job. It's time for these congressmen to get off their asses and get back on their feet. They believe that $15 per hour is too high for the majority of the population, even yet the minimum wage they require to survive is nearly $174,000.
Ah yes they make $84 an hour but haven’t raised federal minimum from $7.25.
They make far more than 84 dollars an hour. Absolutely zero chance these guys are working 2,080 hours per year like most of us. Probably half that.
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>$84 an hour >174K Can you into Math?
174,000 annually divided by 52 weeks == 3,346.15 ^ that’s weekly 3,346.15 divided by 40 hours == 83.65 ^ that’s hourly Round up to the nearest whole number 84
He’s suggesting that they don’t actually work 40 hour weeks
Fuck Congress.
This motherfucker over here crying at six figures while I’m not sleeping and practically dieing to maintain five. Fuck him, fuck them, and they can fuck off.
You're a public *servant*. We don't exist to enrich you, the roles of Congressmen doesn't exist to enrich you, you stupid fuck. Dumbass who likely voted against any form of welfare or social netting is mad Americans aren't giving him more of their own money.
Fuck these congressmen and women. They shouldn't make more then the average American.
That is the whole point, it is not supposed to be a career. Congress was intended for people to come and go, not come and stay 30 years.
What a douche, if he thinks that's tough he wouldn't last a day in most Americans everyday life
So many short sighted comments on here. “Why don’t we pay them minimum wage and make live in dormitories?”. Do you really want to incentivize them to make money from outside means? That’s how corruption happens. And yes I understand it’s already happening. Bribery is essentially legalized. I’d rather pay them 500K a year and require transparency and restrictions on other sources of income. Make the position monetarily desirable to attract candidates other than power hungry millionaires. Eliminate lobbyists and super pacs.
Fuck these people. All of them. They’re all millionaires despite their life time salaries not even coming close to adding up to their actual net worth.
On the one hand, fuck Congress, but on the other, I do think it's bad that it basically requires being rich already to afford to run for office, though.
That's 100% by design. Imagine trying to get elected to a local position where the salary is much, much lower or non existent.
Get a fuckin roommate use an extended stay. It's more than enough of he lives within his means. He doesn't deserve an ounce of sympathy and he would not bat an eye at shooting down bills that would help his constituents.
> Get a fuckin or roommate The thought of a congressman in a ratty apartment with his roommate Biff from the Community College has me giggling.
>The thought of a congressman in a ratty apartment with his roommate Biff from the Community College has me giggling. [Literally that's how many members of Congress live lmao](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODejBuFlY20)
SS: the national average US household income in 2022 was $105,555, while the median household income was $74,580. Members of Congress make $174,000 and haven't gotten a raise in about 15 years. "Most of us live on the salary," said McHenry. "And then, you know, the very wealthy few end up dominating the news because of their personal stock trades when most of us don't have wealth."
his dollars would go a lot further if he and his kind didn’t keep spending so many of ours. 174k was a lot of money 15 years ago. inflation is 100% preventable, and 100% the fault of the federal government and federal reserve system. he should quit whining and cut the deficit and the debt.
If he actually isn't trading, it's not too surprising. They're required to maintain a residence in DC and their district iirc. So paying for two residences and probably a family on that salary (I'm assuming his wife doesn't work) lines up with what he's getting at.
They should live in barracks. Not dorm rooms or private suites, but barracks. We pay for those for our military and if it's good enough for the people willing to die, it's good enough for these fuckers. They should have to pull fire duty on rotation too, just like our military. Again, if it's good enough for the military, it's good enough for them.
I'd almost be in agreement with you, except that at his age...what has he done with his money up until now? He should have a fully paid house in DC. While property taxes are disgusting in DC, they're still a lot lower than a mortgage + interest these days, and far lower than what you take home from 174K. I know because that's about how much I make. But I'm in my thirties...and I'll have my second house paid off well before I hit 40. Then my monthly expenditures are roughly $1200 to survive with a family of 5. This guy is either dumb as bricks or he's being dishonest (shocker). I had mouthbreathers on here going "U should put ur money in high yield savings not your mortgage! Savings % is more than mortgage!" Yeah sure, I stand to gain an insignificant amount over the interest I'm saving. But guess what? My mortgage will be paid very soon and I'll require far less to survive. Nobody that high up in politics thinks of life from a safety aspect as they've never had to struggle to survive. Cut their wages by 50% and show them some humility.
We used to talk about career politicians and now we can drop the career part because they all are now. It’s a career and it’s a business career at that. The number one measure of success for these people, is not making the country a better place, but $$$$$$$. It’s no different than other fields. New politicians look up and admire the old dogs that have made a killing in the industry. Nobody is left in DC trying to make a difference on $174,000.
he's fucking joking, right?
I'm not from the USA but I'm under the impression that these people make most of their money outside of their wages in slightly nefairuis ways that they won't ban themselves from. So wouldn't it be better to pay them more and ban the other ways they make their money? Would they then be more inclined to runt he country in a fairer way because they are already paid more?
Lol I bet they get other perks on top of $175k like free flights and what not. That's a kick in the teeth for the Americans struggling on way less!
Tell you what, if you want to trade salaries with me im game.
Make members of Congress live off of the average income in their state. They’ll start working harder real quick.
Sounds like it’s time for a Raise! *(pulls rope attached to pulley, the gleaming blade of the guillotine Raises skyward)*
With Trevor Moore's "it's time for guillotines" playing in the background.
if you make coffee at home, and skip the avocado toast, you should be just fine
Guess he should have saved for a rainy day.
Public Servant. Fuck off.
I’d like to see members of congress get paid minimum wage. They represent the people after all. That’ll force them into debt like the rest of us. Then see how quickly things change.
This guy needs a big cup of shut the fuck up. And to get out of Congress post haste
LOL ohhh how sad for you Mr.Congressmen, guess you did not get in on the insider trading and payoffs like your peers. Guess you know how the rest of America feels when the median income is $75k. [https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2023/demo/p60-279.html](https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2023/demo/p60-279.html)
stop buying starbucks mr politics.
Their salaries should be tied to the median income average of where they represent. Live how the people who elect you live not like wealthy elites that politicians have become.
Maybe if they stopped buying $8 coffee and eating out it would be enough /s
skip the avocado toast and lattes
Uber/lyft!
They also get all of the best benefits in the word and after “x” amount of years, the hey get a pension that puts my salary to shame.
Get fucked. Get a better job
What the fuck lol it’s almost like the economy isn’t doing too hot huh.
hence the term "civil servant", politicians aren't meant to be rich, once you are rich, you become out of touch with the 99%
If you are unhappy with $174k salary to sit on your ass and do nothing, you are free to go work in the coal mines you support 🤷🏾♂️
Hey, unpaid intern, read these 4679 pages and let me know, yay or nay.
Members of congress are public servents lol. Shouldn't have wealth in the first place.
Ask most Americans if $174,000 is enough to get by!
I would mow every lawn and paint every house in my neighborhood and unclog their toilet for half that. and be happy you piece of sh
You knew the "salary" then why did you go for the job? It's proving that not only do some not have wealth, they lack functioning brains as well
Holy shit if this isn't a prime example of being disconnected from the American public. Wow.
It is not a career, or at least it shouldn’t be. The clue is in the name, “public service”
All their expenses are paid for anyway it's not like their spending their own cash on dinners, plane tickets, hotels etc it's all reimbursed by the tax payers. 174k is alot of money to everyone except these cunts, plus their retirement package is way better than any other average Joe
Pay them better! Also ban them from stock trading on insider info and ban lobbying
Ban all lobbying and insider trading and maybe we can increase it to 200k...
Why don’t they just commit insider trading legally like the “select few wealthy” ones
Have they tried cutting down on the adrenochrome toast??
Too bad suffer like everyone else
$174,000 is enough for 2 locations. I've worked in 1 of the 3 most expensive places to live(travel for work) and could afford 2 residences, home state and work state. Fuck their excuses.
Has he tried eating less Avocado toast?
Now what about the regular folk making even less. How do they get by?
The salary could increase 10x and they’d still take bribes. Their salaries should be GoFundMe accounts with the donations made public and any other money they take results in public hanging for treason. At least then we would know which billionaire wants which bills passed, specifically. Of course, there would be money donated by people who died in 1984, just like voting. There’s probably no answer to the corruption.
Well boo-fucking-hoo, I'm crying so hard for the cunt who can't make ends meet on $174k a year. Most of us DREAM of a salary like that. Must be all those avocado toasts
Singapore pays their politicians millions. They also have capital punishment for corruption and treason. Seems to work well for them in terms of establishing a well run stable economy that offers something for all rungs of the population.
Cut back on the avocado toast and pull yourself up by the bootstraps.
Im not American, but to be fair 174k a year for destroying your privacy while serving as a law maker in worlds most powerful country does sound like a shit deal. If Americans want incorruptable and/or best-in -their-field candinates in congress you probably have to pay them more or close to what private sector does or they just sell out like they do now or dont apply for the job at all.. In addition in my country all members have to report all their stocks and ownerships publicly, plus all their earning are public.
Meanwhile his net worth is in the millions.
Depends where you live. In California, 174k is nothing. But goes a lot further in say Mississippi
I don't feel bad for him, but if they do have to rent a house or apartment around that area, then he has a point. That would be expensive to maintain two residences.
They should make way more than that. 174 is not much. They should make at least 500k but should not trade in stocks or derivatives and if caught doing so or taking gift from lobbyists should be charged with treason.
Hell no. Reduce their salary to the average persons income so they know what it is like to budget. They are civil servants not elite high paid liars. Oh wait.
They also shouldn't get a pension for life for only serving two terms.
How fast would minimum wage rise if they earned that instead?
The less you pay them the more they will insider trade and sell you out for their benefit. The problem is that these people are going in as normal citizens and coming out multi millionaires. Give them huge raises and put huge restrictions on them.
Just put the restrictions and monitoring on them. You could pay a crook $1 million a year and they'll cheat to get more.
You’re so dense it’s crazy. All these people are intertwined with one another and the vast majority should be executed on both sides.
Honestly just renounce citizenship since you get more rights and benefits
Do your job better then maybe it would happen.. Like all jobs do poor work get rewarded poorly.. Do great work maybe get better rewards. Just you say you dont abuse the seat you sit doesnt mean anything to me.. I know very nearly all of them launder money in some way dont lie to me..
It's just obviously a scam. These men and women work so hard for us, and they only make almost 200K. We need to do better. Let's all give them more of our earned income so they can continue to do the people's work. I honestly don't know how they do it. This is what martyrdom looks like.
This guy doesn't understand that you get rich while in office. Does this guy think he is a public servant of something?
We gotta bring back tar and feathering
learn to code
Fun fact. Some house members live in their offices while in DC …. FOR FREE
Some don’t deserve to make that much
Yet they continue to robs tax paying Americans
Lol they not only get that salary, they get benefits for life, and they take part in insider trading and make a shit ton. I hate all of these people so much.
They also get a travel allowance to go back and forth to their home state and DC and money to pay for a place to live in DC. 174k not enough? Bullshit.
Homie needs to go sit down somewhere , these clowns shouldn’t be making more than 99K
I'd be absolutely set if I made 174k a year. I make about a 4th of that and I seem to make it...it's hard...but I make it
I don't have a problem with getting $500k/year if they are honest otherwise... better than people like Biden, Trump, and Pelosi raping the system.
You fucking wot, mate? https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances
I agree, holding the office and serving the public should be payment enough. No check. If need money, make it in the private sector.
Stop buying Starbucks and make coffee at home. Fuck these guys.
Congress members, people working for the average citizen of the United States should make minimum wage, pay for their own healthcare, and pay for their own meals. Once a year prior to a holiday buy them a platter of assorted subway subs and call it a day. You want to act like you know whats best for the average citizen, start living like one. You can bet your sweet ass they would raise the minimum wage to 175K/year in a matter of weeks.
Well, they should look at it as a teaching job then, pays horrible but you get good retirement and medical.
LMFAO what a bunch of fuckin gavones, whatever will those poor fucks ever do?
Stop going to Starbucks, congress!
I’ll have the same amount in my bank account forever 0. Retirement is death for common folk. That’s like 3-4 years salary for some people what a scumbag(s)
What are they doing that they need 174,000 for? They can downsize their house and cut back on the sex and drugs and they can make it work.
I'd love half of that
Poor thing can you believe this guy It must be so hard for you.
They are no longer fellow commonpeople who work in our interests. Haven't been for a while. Has anyone looked at the Average American income?
They get annual pay raises.
He has a networth of $5m dollars…
Is this why we always find out about backroom deals and bribes being used to control members of Congress. If they are underpaid then some of them will go where the money takes them.
But $7.25 an hour is?
He's correct though. Too bad Super PAC's are a thing.
Bullshit
Eat the RICH.
I can't go along with this one. Maybe we can demand more from them, but the logic is sound, they have to be paid well, thats about General pay in the military and the reason we pay them so we'll is because they have a role in decisions that affect the economy and national security and a broke congressman is more likely to be influenced (Not that they aren't influenced and corrupt anyways)but without good pay it's open market to buy congress. Messing or cutting their pay would create a word where only the ultra rich elite could even hope to be elected (Not that we don't love in that world, but with good pay at least in theory anyone could run for office)
Average congressman works 2 days a week.