Are our elected officials worth the money we pay them? Yes or no?

[Philosoraptor]

Maybe they'd work harder for us if we gave them a nice raise or a big fat bonus?

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. News flash: YOU don't pay them.

Their taxpayer income is trivial compared to the income they get from other sources such as speaking fees.

They only pretend to be in your employ.

[Oregone]

2. Their pay is negligible.

They make money through books, stock & investment tips, speaking fees, favors, etc (job offers after work). You get a ton of lifetime perks being a member of Congress. Their actually pay is negligible. You can drop it to $0 and most of them would still do it (except those that actually depend on the money and may be there for the right reason).

Too bad we can't ban them completely from being a lobbyist for a decade after service, investing while serving, or other private earning opportunities while there. There is a massive conflict of interest having people earning money via private means who are supposed to be looking after the public's wellbeing

[rucky]

3. Agree w/ posts above. This is just a sideline for most of 'em.

[Cogito ergo doleo]

4. I read something recently where someone had the idea of

employing Michael Moore to be a lobbyist to represent us to the people we elect to represent us. They suggested that when Moore had enough money and consensus in the issues to be represented, he rent an armored truck filled with wheelbarrows and money. Cameras running, he'd fill up the wheelbarrows with money then start visiting congressional offices where he'd shovel money all over a representative's desk and person, saying, "The people want___________, and there's more where this came from." Wash, rinse, repeat with every office.

As the person said, they doubted representatives would be shamed, but maybe they'd actually take the money and do something for us. :D

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Politicians prove that P.T. Barnum was right.

Of course, if they were put where they belong, we'd still have to support them. Orange jumpsuits, meals, guards, accommodations, etc.

On the other hand, it would certainly cause prison reform to the extent that they'd soon have private swimming pools, bowling alleys, tennis courts, and personal trainers supplied by the lobbyists.

"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress." - Mark Twain