State by state, we need referendums to eliminate the elected Reps healthcare and pensions

[Chasstev365]

I say state by state because I don't think it could be done on a federal level.

It should explain that these "entitlements" are just too much of a burden on the taxpayers it's "unsustainable."

Let's see how many of them support it?

[Phoenix61]

1. That is not a bad idea

The optics would be great! Lots of free publicity because you KNOW they wouldnt be able to not bitch about those crazy liberals.

[kimbutgar]

2. Why should elected politicians get tax paid healthcare when ordinary citizens can't get help?

Great selling point to the tea party types! The politicians get paid big money they can afford to pay for their own damn healthcare like the rest of us.

[pinboy3niner]

9. Members of Congress do not receive free healthcare and retirement

They pay into retirement plans and into health insurance on the exchanges.

[kimbutgar]

10. So by repealing ACA they will get rid of their own healthcare?

I like that unexpected consequence!

[Ninga]

3. Outstanding idea! I'm going to float it with my political peeps! Nt

[HassleCat]

4. Outstanding idea!

Some of them live and act like little tin gods, all the while bitching about welfare recipients.

[Marthe48]

5. Possible executive action?

In any case, this is absolutely a great idea. Strip the politicians of all the perks they get and see how they get along using their own money.

[Chasstev365]

6. BINGO!

And to see how these self-rightious, hipocrites will remain silent. Even Billy Bob will get that!

[Meldread]

7. This is a horrible idea, and here is why:

There is always this desire to punish elected officials either through how much they make in income from the job, or in this case going after their healthcare and pensions. In reality, what this does is two things. First, it means that normal people cannot occupy those offices. Only individuals who are already wealthy prior to running for office end up in those offices because they are unaffected by such measures. Second, it means that normal people who already occupy those offices are now incentivized to either leave and begin a lucrative job lobbying or become dirty and begin receiving kickbacks and other things under the table.

What we need instead is to take a page out of Singapore's book and actually pay highly competitive rates and benefits for people who work in government and public life. The goal for us would be to incentivize normal--average--people to consider a career in public service. When average people enter the office they better understand the problems experienced by other people like them--they know what it is like to struggle without healthcare, and thus it becomes a priority to fix such problems.

[bluecollar2]

11. I have to disagree

This is what is needed to bring our elected officials to account.

They need to be provided with the same opportunity to die on the basis of their financial status as the people they represent.

According to Republicans true Democracy is an exercise in economic and social Darwinism.

The OP is suggesting that elected Republicans should be given the opportunity to compete.

[Meldread]

12. You are highlighting the exact problem with it.

They need to be provided with the same opportunity to die on the basis of their financial status as the people they represent.

That's exactly the problem I am pointing out: they won't have the same opportunity. This only impacts those who are not wealthy, and politics already heavily favors those who are personally wealthy. This is why virtually all of the members of Congress are already personally rich. Taking away benefits does not hurt them because they did not need those benefits in the first place. It only harms people who are not wealthy and who are interested in becoming elected officials, meaning people who would be sympathetic to the very argument that you are making.

[bluecollar2]

14. Perhaps...

But if a significant number of them find themselves in a position where they and their families and dependents no longer have the built-in advantage I suspect the discussion might be different.

I have no issue with employers in private industry providing their employees with insurance...

But since my elected officials technically work for me and are compensated through my taxes it should be my decision as to what their compensation package should look like.

[Meldread]

16. Consider this...

...the average net worth of a member of the United States Congress is over 7 Million Dollars. This will not hurt the average member of Congress. However, take into consideration someone like Senator Bernie Sanders, whose personal net worth is around $160,000--who is going to be harmed by this policy? Someone like Representative Darrell Issa, whose personal net worth is nearly 255 million dollars, or Bernie Sanders?

This is the problem with this policy. It is simply lashing out at members of Congress, with no regard for the implications of such actions, and the consequences it may cause. Darrell Issa is not going to care that Bernie Sanders dies because he lacks health care--he is going to celebrate this fact, and remain very, very, rich while thanking everyone who helped him kill off a political enemy.

[bluecollar2]

17. The OP

Suggested this be accomplished on a state-by-state basis.

As a resident of Texas I considered the OP on that basis.

I'm fairly certain that the average net worth of Texas State Representatives is significantly lower than the wealth of the members of Congress from Texas.

Since we have recently developed a penchant for electing idiots, morons, theocrats, social and economic Darwinists, and as a result we are the State that somehow managed to bring you Pappy Bush, Dubya, Cheney, Rick Perry, Tom DeLay, Dick Armey, Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, Dan Patrick, Greg Abbot, Louis Goehmert. ...I am willing to entertain any proposal to upset the apple cart.

If Texas ever returns to an election system that guarantees fair elections to all of its residents in all of its precincts I'd be happy to reconsider.

Currently Texas is a major contributor to the problem.

We're doing the best we can but desperate times call for desperate neasures.

[DeminPennswoods]

8. Newly minted PA state senator ran and won on not taking a public pension

then signed up for it when it was offered to him.

[bucolic_frolic]

13. There are consequences

of making the profession less financially attractive

more people who could afford it would run for office,
wealthy entrepreneurs and the like. Congress might look more
like Trump than ever.

[Yo_Mama]

15. Unconstitutional. Article I, Section 6

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei#section6

Section 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

Does DU have a collective problem these days with a constitutional government?