An Idea To Save Us Some Tax Money
By mfpsassy
@mfpsassy (2827)
United States
June 12, 2008 8:40am CST
Why are we paying our elected officials so much money? Why are the living in mansions built with our tax money?
I think since they already have more than enough money from their business dealings they should be paid minimum wage and only for the hours that they are actually working. They can either buy or rent a place just like anyone else who has to move when they transfer jobs. They need to either use their own or public transportation including flying. If they want a pay raise we the public should vote on it not the politicians voting raises for themselves
I think we should turn all these "goverment mansions" into homeless shelters or low income housing
And guess what it's a lot easier to do than most people think. Just get the petitions going and get the inititave on your states ballot.
So what do you think and what can you add to this idea?
2 people like this
5 responses
How do you intend to make this work? 
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Hi Peavey
Thanks
I know we would have to write up the iniative on the state level and start circulating petitions at least that is how it works in Washington People would have to check in there own states As for the federal level that will take some research but I am game for it
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Jun 08
Hi mf I totally agree with you and I have been saying that for years, they are going on about cutting People down on driving their Cars but they are the worse for it with the big Posh Cars they get driven around it
They can afford to carry on living the High Life while People like us have to cut back more and more
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Morning Gabs
I would like to see them live on our budgets for awhile and see how well they can manage. Over here they tax the rich less and less They don't charge people who make over $92,000 a year social security tax on any thing over the $92,000 WT? like they can't afford it and our goverment wonders why there isn't enough money in that fund
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I think these people should have to live just like we do also. they should have to go by the same rules and regulations that we do also. I don't think it is right for them to live better than we do and let some of our people go homeless and starve. I think we should all be equal. they should have to work for their living just like we do.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I don't think anyone is living in a mansion on their government salary. The member of Congress that have the fancy homes most likely have a lot of money from other sources. Now, to me the salaries they get is pretty darn good but if you ask any Republican they'll tell you it's not good money at all, they'd make much more in the private sector. Actually, for the politicians who are attorneys that's certainly true., they would earn more in a private law practice or with a well-known firm than they earn as a member of Congress. I'm not in favor of them voting raises for themselves or of their huge expense accounts, etc. but I do think if we don't pay our lawmakers a decent salary we'd be stuck with nothing but independently wealthy, totally out of touch elitists running the country. We've got enough of them now but that would make it pretty much unanimous. I think they do use their own transportation when they're not traveling on official business. They can hardly fly "coach" to Iraq, now can they?
Annie
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Good idea. However, if being an elected official only paid minimum wage and for hours actually served, I'm afraid there would be a VERY short list of qualified people wanting the jobs! We'd be bringing in illegal aliens to take those "undesirable" jobs no one else wants.
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Hi Clrumfelt
Sometimes (well most of the time) I wonder How long they actually work. At least we would know who is only in it for monitary gains right now. As for the illegal aliens the are already working for some of our goverment officials The Mayor of New York is working for free. Free sounds good to me
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Good for him. He is a true public servant.
1 person likes this
