Politicians deserve to be rich

[Armistead]

Just reading a story on AOL about Gibb's leaving, pity his poor salary that put him in the top 8%. Some say he'll get big speaking fees, but sure looks like he's headed to be a lobbyist. Most that serve the President in non elected office go right to lobbying, after all their well connected..for many that is the plan, get connected, then go make the real money.

Compare that to politicians of old.

Harry Truman "traveled home from Washington unprotected by Secret Service agents ... He had come home without salary or pension. He had no income or support from the federal government other than his Army pension of $112.56 a month ... Truman had been forced to take out a loan at the National Bank in Washington in his last weeks as president to tide him over."

[the_tyrant]

WOW
I'm surprised that Truman wasn't rich after he stepped down

[Sailor Steve]

George Washington refused to take any salary. On the other hand he did send congress a pretty hefty bill for expenses.

[Castout]

Politicians don't deserve to be rich any more than any ordinary folks out there.

If the intention is to get rich then I must suggest NOT being a politician and head down to being an entrepreneur instead.

Usually those elected to office are more often than not already a well off people since campaigning and all really cost a lot and either you need your own money or are well connected and well connected people are usually already successful people(read well off) and there's nothing wrong with that if they wanted to serve in the public office for a change and to make a difference.

More often than not in developing countries(read third world, not matter what they claim otherwise), the political elites are acting no more than feudal lords which means they command excessive wealth wealth due to their position in government and mostly due to nepotism, cronyism and corruption(to the amount of many billions not to mention the state sovereign fund they control as a bargaining chip to exert influence and power). These people claim to govern a system of democracy while in fact it is no more than a dictatorship. Examples include Indonesian dictator Soeharto, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, Singapore Lee dynasty, etc. This is especially true in Asia and Africa.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

George Washington refused to take any salary. On the other hand he did send congress a pretty hefty bill for expenses.

That is one of my favourite Washington Presidency stories.

[Platapus]

I just can't see Gibbs getting all that many speaking engagements. He was a talking dog. He was told what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.

I always get a kick when reporters ask the Presidential Press Secretary to give their opinion/viewpoints. Press Secretaries are not allowed opinions and if there is a viewpoint to be told, they will be given it.

Quick poll: Who here would pay money to listen to Gibbs?

Not me, I would not listen to him for free.

[gimpy117]

to be honest...I think give them an average middle class wage, sure pay for travel...but make it illegal for lobbyists to give any gifts. Politics should be about the clout of your voice, not what you can give the politician in return for his bill.