2 millionaire senators introduce plan to make sure Congress is only for the rich

[applegrove]

2 millionaire senators introduce plan to make sure Congress is only for the rich

Well, that's one way to deal with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

IAN MILLHISER at Think Progress

https://thinkprogress.org/rick-scott-seeks-to-make-senate-a-plutocrat-playground-46be0dcd38ed/

"SNIP.....

Let’s start this column off with a bold assertion. Paying lawmakers good salaries is one of our country’s most important progressive reforms because it means that they don’t have to be wealthy to serve. High congressional pay is a safeguard against corruption, not a sign of it.

Bear this assertion in mind as you consider this proposal.

Rick Scott

✔@SenRickScott

This morning I co-sponsored a bill to end congressional pensions with @SenatorBraun.

Americans shouldn't have to foot the bill for generous salaries and pensions for members of Congress, and I’m proud to be working on common sense solutions to make DC work for all families.

The Washington Times

✔@WashTimes

GOP senators Scott, Braun introduce bill to end congressional pensions https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/12/rick-scott-mike-braun-bill-end-congress-pensions/ …

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Scott’s net worth was $232.6 million at the end of 2017 — not bad for a man who led a company that paid $1.7 billion in fines for widespread Medicare and Medicaid fraud. His co-sponsor, Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), is worth between $35 million and $96 million, according to his campaign disclosure forms. So Scott and Braun can afford to forego their pensions — or their entire salary, if they choose.


.....SNIP"

[Wounded Bear]

1. Sounds like a huge red herring to me...

Propose something that sounds progressive, but actually benefits the wealthy and has no chance of passing any way.

I'm all for rolling back how generous congressional pensions are, but let's have a rational discussion, not some Repub stunt.

[malaise]

2. Get your money via fraud then head to the Senate

OK then

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. Divide and conquer. Play to the stupidity of joe the plumber who thinks

politicians are getting rich.

Some are, but doing this will only ASSURE rich people in office.

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. I'm sure the thought of ending salaries for those with a net worth north of $20 mil....

never entered into it.

Here's where I would place the threshold;

If your net worth was converted into 30 year Treasuries, and the annual interest income from those bonds would exceed the current salary for being a Senator, you don't get paid to be one.

Right now that Net Worth level is $5,800,000 based on a 3% coupon.

$5.8 million worth of bonds paying 3% will generate $174,000 a year.

So....Senator Scott (As a Floridian, I am really sorry he is up there now) you get fucking diddly.

AOC and everyone else like her however, gets her full salary and the normal pension just like your predecessors voted for, you slimy, criminal dickhead.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

11. write that up and send it in

I would add in a salary cap: Elected officials may not be paid any more than the median income + benefits of their constituents.

[Pepsidog]

14. Good thought.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. I just don't see this getting traction

Members of Congress get the same penions, based on income and years of employment, that all federal employees get. Yes, the pension of someone with over 30 years is substantial, but that could be said of any pension for a person with a high salary and many years of experience. They have to contribute to BOTH Social Security and FERS.

[Silver Swan]

10. I agree

If our representatives want to avoid high pensions, they should stop running for re-election.

[LAS14]

6. Boy, we all do have to be ever vigilant!!!!! This sort of thing might have...

.. curbside appeal for many people, but the OP is right!!! Then only the rich could serve in congress.

[lpbk2713]

7. Scott became a multi-millionaire by stealing from Medicare & Medicaid.

He's a weasel of the first order and this doesn't surprise me at all.

[brooklynite]

8. It ties back to their "Congress shouldn't be a career" message in support of term limits

[ooky]

9. How about that they work free and no pension if they have over

35 million already?

[cloudbase]

12. I'd go with a number somewhat lower than $35 million,

but a means test might not be a bad idea.

[George II]

13. Unfortunately I think there are only one or two Senators who aren't millionaires - Chris Murphy...

...is the only one who comes to mind.

[cstanleytech]

15. You know what I would not oppose limits on their salary either however I also think to keep things

from getting to out of hand that all income that comes from other than their government wage should be set at the tax rate of 70% and that includes income for a spouse thats over that amount that they get paid.

[Ilsa]

16. If only we still had pensions throughout the private sector. nt

[dhol82]

17. I think members of Congress should just be in social security rather than a pension system

Let them live like the rest of us peons.

[Hekate]

18. My old boss in Public Works told me about the low low county salaries in the South. He said ...

...it was a complete set-up for corruption, because employees were expected to make up the difference in gratuities and contacts -- aka graft, bribes, and croneyism.

Our department was doing some hiring at the time, and this was apropos of what some people complained of as overly-generous salaries.

It was a point well-taken for all public servant type jobs, including elected officials.