Trump supporters, how do you square this?

[CP87]

Hate to say this, folks, but as someone who's worked on the inside of state and federal politics, until we have public financing of campaigns, outlaw PACs, and have tight caps on individual and corporate donations, the entirety of this discussion is just pissin' in the wind.

If you put those proposals to the US populace, you would probably have 90% support. If you put those proposals to the politicans that make the rules, <1% support. So, how does that problem get fixed?

 

[Fryowa]

I like it, but I'd be okay with upping the salary. Even at the current salary levels, that is not enough money to attract greedy sorts.

As of today, the highest enlisted rank in the US Army is a staff sergeant (E6), and the active duty pay steps max out at 8 years. That salary right now is $51,030 per year and obviously includes housing.

If that's good enough for people getting deployed around the world and being away from family with no choice to still pay their bills, it's good enough for a pampered job with security details, playing dress up to go vote on bills.

 

[Fryowa]

I know someone who is a former state senator, and just recently retired from his regular job and now works as a lobbyist. Sounds like an interesting gig...

And his votes while in the state senate were 100% influenced by that lobby.

 

[Fryowa]

To play Devil's advocate, what about the notion that it takes several years to figure out how to DO the job? Part of the argument for career politicians is that they have the experience necessary to understand policy and get things done. That is a self-serving argument, but there has to be something to that, right? That sort of argument might push me more toward @#1DieHardHawk 's idea of slightly longer terms.

I would go for a longer term, but no second term. It seems messed up to have a public servant that spends the majority of their time trying to extend their job, not actually doing their job. Downside: if someone is really well liked and does a good job, the public cannot return them to office. But POLITICS SHOULDN'T BE A CAREER, I once heard someone pronouce. So, the popular official's party nominates someone else from their staff, and the popular person goes back to helping society as a citizen.

I'll compromise and say 4 years, no second term.

See how easy that was? We didn't even have to pay for TV slinging mud at each other.

 

[CP87]

And his votes while in the state senate were 100% influenced by that lobby.

I don't think so, in this case. My guess is this is more of an emergent lobby that did not have big influence when he served. Also, it is Iowa State senate, so he is not wielding the kind of power US senators wield. And as a personal acquaintance I know quite well, he seems like the epitome of the kind of person in it for the right reasons. But of course, I am biased.

 

[CP87]

I'll compromise and say 4 years, no second term.

See how easy that was? We didn't even have to pay for TV slinging mud at each other.

Now consent to my ranked-choice voting idea, and we have a plan!

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

I know someone who is a former state senator, and just recently retired from his regular job and now works as a lobbyist. Sounds like an interesting gig, and they can play a role in educating congress on things the legislators just don't know much about. But you are right, it is a system rife for corruption, and it furthers the whole oligarchy thing (you and I cannot afford lobbyists to represent our interests).

It seems like trying to outlaw lobbyists would be like trying to get money out of college sports...it sounds good, but it cannot actually be accomplished. If it was outlawed above board, it would just move below board.

Yeah, it's a bit of a pipe dream. The other problem is how do you define "lobbyist?" Joe Schmo, who works in some capacity for said industry, could present himself as just some guy who wants to be available to answer questions about a product. A lot of potential gray area there.

At the very least, regulations could be imposed on receiving direct or indirect items of monetary value from lobbyists. It's already been instituted in healthcare. Providers can no longer receive trips, hotel stays, etc., while attending meetings. Representatives aren't even allowed to drop off pens at offices anymore.