Non-politicians, how would you feel about limiting all members of congress to an hourly wage of $14.50 (double the federal minimum wage) and holding them accountable to a minimum of 40 hours of work per week?

We’d have to eliminate campaign funds, “soft” money, and lobbyists.

However if hypothetically this were to happen and that was all they could earn and they clocked in like everyone else we’d probably see a more realistic representation of Americans. The current politicians would leave for the private sector.

That could be a great thing, but could just as easily be a total failure. Id like to think if it more reflected our current electorate the laws would more positively reflect what we want and need as a country, but I’m an idealist.

sounds like a good way to ensure only very wealthy people run for seats.

While it’s an okay theory, it would fail in practice. Why would you work for $14.50 in a high-stress job with low job security and no chance of a raise when you could become a server or a bartender and make more without the stress? The only people who would go into politics would be the rich (who don’t care about the salary). Do you want a government made up of only the rich?

I feel like this would open up politicians to more bribery. The less money politicians make the more incentive for corruption.

I’m fine with what they make now, no need to lower their pay but they should be held to a minimum 40 hour work week. Using that time to thoroughly research the laws they intend to put in place and the impact they would have on their constituents. Also every vote should have a permanent record of who voted for what.