Should we change how we compensate our elected officals?

I believe that this would hurt people. Here in Florida we've already been subjected to cuts in essential services due to state budget cuts and I'm certain the state will not show a profit. There were cuts to nursing homes, hospice care, schools and emergency road services. So, the elderly, the sick and our children pay the price...those with the smallest voices.

You know Mike Huckabee had a great plan regarding this. He said that we should end these annual raises congress gets and for each year that they fail to balance the budget they should get a 2% pay cut. I think you'd be amazed how quickly they'd balance the budget when it's THEM losing money. Funny how the media made a big deal about lavish retreats being taken by people who got the bailout yet ignored the lavish retreats taken by our own politicians a short while ago.

How about making it true government service. They get paid 2X the average wage as reported by the IRS. They get paid only for the days they are in the chamber or committee room, the start and end of the session would be set by law and per diem would be paid only for those days. They receive a per-diem of the cost of the Super 8 motel room in Washington DC and meals at Perkins. Any money made giving speeches would be turned over to the US Government. They would get mileage for one trip to Washington DC and one trip home at the current IRS rate. IF they travel overseas it is by Military transport, as our soldiers use, and they would stay in military housing in the area. There would be only Social Security for retirement. All committee assignments would be strictly random, you draw a committee and a name. Each committee elects its own chair. All campaign money would be used for campaigning and after the election any money left would be considered personal income and taxed as such the only exception would be if they turned the money into the government. Every bill introduced had to be voted on during that session. The budget had to be passed or they stayed in session until it was passed and any other bills introduced, but no extra per diem will be paid. The government would pay for two staffers, one in Washington, DC and one in their home state. Lets see how many make it a career to bean elected official and how many new laws get introduced every year. They get a bonus if they can keep spending to below 2% of the Gross National Product. Total Government service (elected and Government jobs) is limited to 20 years, except judges as allowed by the constitution.

What a great idea! I have my own business, if I don't produce, I don't get paid. I think this would be great and would create very efficient stewards of our money.

Yes it would be interesting if they were paid on performance like they were yelling at these CEOs for. granted many elected officials don't make a ton in salary, however it is all the perks, freebies, speaking engagements, book deals and everything else they get that really makes them the money. Most apparently don't know that they are suppose to pay taxes on this stuff by the way.

Interesting question. Since you're a commissioned salesperson, you only earn money when you produce. I absolutely agree with you. Perhaps a system based upon balancing a budget; creating solutions to problems and actually attending congressional sessions. Maybe a deduction for all of that "pork" that they manage to shove into every bill that they pass. If they're producing, I don't mind paying.