Retiring House Republican says $174,000 isn't enough money for members of Congress: 'Most of us don't have wealth'

stopthatgirl7@kbin.social to politics @lemmy.world – 209 points –
Retiring House Republican says $174,000 isn't enough money for members of Congress: 'Most of us don't have wealth'
businessinsider.com

He's not alone: AOC and others have argued lawmakers should be paid more in order to protect against corruption and make the job more accessible.

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If someone did a study on whether raising the minimum wage impacts people's quality of life, raised it a penny, found that people were still in poverty, and said "we should give up on minimum wages," would that convince you? Your statement, that we've raised congressional wages and corruption is still present, is an equivalent argument. No one is arguing that giving politicians any raise will completely eliminate corruption. I would argue that we should give members of congress wages comparable to the amount of money they would get from taking bribes, and the result will be reduced, not eliminated, corruption.

If someone did a study on whether raising the minimum wage impacts people’s quality of life, raised it a penny, found that people were still in poverty, and said “we should give up on minimum wages,” would that convince you?

Comparing someone who makes 6 figures to someone who makes minimum wage is insulting to the latter.

Particularly since the former is responsible for keeping the latter's wages stagnant while whining about how he's not compensated enough for doing so.

You're right. The point I was making was that congressional members are like people with minimum wage. Your response is definitely not dodging my argument.

The point I was making was that congressional members are like people with minimum wage.

The point you were making is that congressturds aren't rich enough and that we should just spam money at them and that will magically make them less corrupt. Bringing up minimum wage workers who haven't seen a raise in decades in that context is utterly disgusting.