Current Events > Do you agree with AOC on this?

(+) Yeah! (+)

That congress members need to be paid more to keep them from taking bribes?
---

There are plenty of people who make similar money and don't take bribes. Maybe because they can't, but either way, I doubt people taking bribes would take less bribes if they had more money.
---

Yeah and my boss should pay me more or I'll be forced to steal video games.

*eyeroll*
---

I too think I should make more money

---

Evening_Dragon posted...

There are plenty of people who make similar money and don't take bribes. Maybe because they can't, but either way, I doubt people taking bribes would take less bribes if they had more money.

Infinite 2003 posted...

I too think I should make more money

---

Getting paid more money is going to make people with no ethics all of a sudden have ethics? What an amazingly stupid opinion.
---

I understand the logic of it
---

Do you have a source?

Also no, fuck them. They're paid plenty.

PositionSalary
Senators and House Representatives$174,000
Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico$174,000
President pro tempore of the Senate$193,400
Majority leader and minority leader of the Senate$193,400
---

Wow, that's really dumb >_>
---

There's a video. I'm pretty sure I linked it here a couple months ago when she said it.

This is like some suburban kid complaining his allowance is too low and that it's his parents' fault he has to go thru his Mom's purse for extra money.
---

Squall28 posted...

Do you have a source?

https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1138406249576521728
---

EndOfDiscOne posted...

Squall28 posted...

Do you have a source?

https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1138406249576521728

Cost of living increases are for people who are scraping by. Not people making 174K.
---

I understand the logic behind it but I think there's a better way to go at it which is to regulate lobbying/lobbyists and getting money out of politics.

No, they should be paid hourly and be legally obligated to be transparent in all revenue streams, all assets, and the means of which they pay for those assets. It might sound a little invasive but no one is forcing them to be in congress.

Bribes and corruption are real problems but giving them more money isnt a solution lmao

---

bribery of public officials would not be an issue if we just abolished the government
---

i see this mentality all the time from internet leftists, basically they roleplay like every single person is pretty much one step away from homelessness. yeah, im sure congress members are taking bribes because they desperately need the money to feed their children lol

---

They should execute them for taking bribes like they do in China, thats the only valid solution.
Rich people only get more corrupted and greedy if you give them more

vocedelmorte posted...

They should execute them for taking bribes like they do in China, thats the only valid solution.

yes that's clearly solved the corruption problem in China

Broseph_Stalin posted...

yes that's clearly solved the corruption problem in China

Im sure they would think twice if they know the possible outcome. As opposed to just give money to already corrupted, which will solve nothing

Why are there people ITT remotely entertaining the idea with "well I see the logic. It makes sense".

It's funny because those same people would be shitting all over this idea and the person proposing it if they were some right wing politician. They'd have a field day.

HerpToTheDerp posted...

Why are there people ITT remotely entertaining the idea with "well I see the logic. It makes sense".

It's funny because those same people would be shitting all over this idea and the person proposing it if they were some right wing politician. They'd have a field day.

Because lefties trip over themselves to defend horrendous shit if it's an idea presented by a Dem.
---

vocedelmorte posted...

Im sure they would think twice if they know the possible outcome. As opposed to just give money to already corrupted, which will solve nothing

you see, my example of something doing absolutely nothing to fight corruption is actually a great model for fighting corruption,

Broseph_Stalin posted...

vocedelmorte posted...

They should execute them for taking bribes like they do in China, thats the only valid solution.

yes that's clearly solved the corruption problem in China

corruption of means vs corruption of outcome
---

Won't change shit. Only way to stop the corruption at this point is revolution. Then hopefully the new government would actually go after corruption. Make corruption be under treason, then start giving these politicians what they deserve when caught.
---

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
Yep. Voting against cost of living increases for members of Congress may sound nice, but doing so only increases pressure on them to keep dark money loopholes open.

This makes campaign finance reform *harder.*

ALL workers deserve cost of living increases, incl min wage workers

This was her exact quote from a tweet.

Dunno if I agree with the first part, but I agree with the second. I feel like the type of people who take bribes are going to take them whether they're making 20k or 200k or 2 million. It might stop a few? I really don't know how prevalent bribery is in congress.
---

I think its pretty specious to separate out different kinds of raises (merit vs cola) especially for a role that doesn't have a productive output that you can measure even theoretically

I also don't think that members of congress are underpaid, or that they would be less likely to take bribes/reject dark money if they were paid more

---

Balrog0 posted...

I also don't think that members of congress are underpaid, or that they would be less likely to take bribes/reject dark money if they were paid more

pretty much, they're just disproportionately self-interested psychopaths

it's a feature
---

HerpToTheDerp posted...

Why are there people ITT remotely entertaining the idea with "well I see the logic. It makes sense".

It's funny because those same people would be shitting all over this idea and the person proposing it if they were some right wing politician. They'd have a field day.

The only people ITT that said "they see the logic" are @Doom_Art and myself, but neither of us stated we support it. So...nice try?

I see the logic too it's just stupid to apply to people who are making like 2x+ the area median household income in DC or more like 3-4x the median household income nationally


---

The one thing is it might make people less eager to leave to become lobbyists in the private sector.
---

CommonStar posted...

HerpToTheDerp posted...

Why are there people ITT remotely entertaining the idea with "well I see the logic. It makes sense".

It's funny because those same people would be shitting all over this idea and the person proposing it if they were some right wing politician. They'd have a field day.

The only people ITT that said "they see the logic" are @Doom_Art and myself, but neither of us stated we support it. So...nice try?

But would either of you be saying you "see the logic" if a Republican said it
---

CommonStar posted...

HerpToTheDerp posted...

Why are there people ITT remotely entertaining the idea with "well I see the logic. It makes sense".

It's funny because those same people would be shitting all over this idea and the person proposing it if they were some right wing politician. They'd have a field day.

The only people ITT that said "they see the logic" are @Doom_Art and myself, but neither of us stated we support it. So...nice try?

Does that make my statement any less true. The two of you together are both people no? And you're both remotely entertaining the idea correct? And while you haven't done it itt, I can guarantee you'd both be quick to shoot it down with no hesitation had it came from someone you disliked

Really though I wonder what the magic number is where they'll promise not to break the law, since twice the DC median isn't enough I guess

Every socialist movement inevitably devolves into some cartoonish animal farm serious of events

Antifar posted...

The one thing is it might make people less eager to leave to become lobbyists in the private sector.

How is that useful? Instead of carrying water for whatever industry by being a lobbyist, they can make enough money to keep doing it while they're still an elected official?

---

bad take but at first I thought you meant she said rent should be free which I do agree with
---

EndOfDiscOne posted...

CommonStar posted...

HerpToTheDerp posted...

Why are there people ITT remotely entertaining the idea with "well I see the logic. It makes sense".

It's funny because those same people would be shitting all over this idea and the person proposing it if they were some right wing politician. They'd have a field day.

The only people ITT that said "they see the logic" are @Doom_Art and myself, but neither of us stated we support it. So...nice try?

But would either of you be saying you "see the logic" if a Republican said it

I can't speak for Doom, but I would say the same thing if a Republican said it.

Yeah I'd be seeing the same thing. I don't agree with it but I can see and understand the thought process

---

Well I apologize for being so quick to judge. I'll keep that in mind next time I wander into topics with some inane right wing policies

Assuming the quote is accurate, that's really really really really dumb.

Having money doesn't make you immune to bribes. In fact having lots of money makes you less likely to spend it and more likely to seek out more money.

Anyone who would accept a bribe is not going to go "Well I already have a nice nest egg so naaaaah"

Not to mention a bribe can many more things than just money
---

Nah I'd rather rich people pay them more than me paying them more.
---

Pay them more to be ineffective legislators? Riiiiight.
---

On paper, their salary should be enough for what they do. Having to pay for their home in their home district on top of living arrangements in DC can understandably stretch that, which is why I think the government should provide reasonable living accommodations to them in DC. I think that would be fair.
---

Are Congress people taking bribes because they're struggling to pay their bills, cause I doubt it.

---

tullock posted...

On paper, their salary should be enough for what they do. Having to pay for their home in their home district on top of living arrangements in DC can understandably stretch that, which is why I think the government should provide reasonable living accommodations to them in DC. I think that would be fair.

Nah they should just pay for themselves like everyone else who moves when they get a new job.
---

So she is basically announcing to all the companies out there she will be entertaining offers to buy her vote.
---

BilalPowell posted...

tullock posted...

On paper, their salary should be enough for what they do. Having to pay for their home in their home district on top of living arrangements in DC can understandably stretch that, which is why I think the government should provide reasonable living accommodations to them in DC. I think that would be fair.

Nah they should just pay for themselves like everyone else who moves when they get a new job.

His point is that members of Congress have to maintain homes in DC and in their home districts.
---

That is incredibly stupid

---