(06-23-2022 10:34 AM)bobdizole Wrote:  She actually makes a relatively valid point. The cost of living in DC combined with having to maintain your home residence has to be absurdly high. Combine that with campaigning, it's almost impossible for people other than the independently wealthy to get their foot in the door. That is what has driven us from a citizen legislature to being ruled by elitist.

But no, the answer is not to pay them more and cry me a river about not being able to have a baby while in Congress. It's not supposed to be a career you twit

That bolded part.

It's supposed to go like this:

1. Adult, with a career, contributing to society.
2. Part time politician, still managing your career.
3. Minimal time as politician, go back to career and contribution to society.

Somewhere along the line, all of this got F'd up, and now we have worthless PsOS like AOC writing the rules and making that career.

(06-23-2022 10:34 AM)bobdizole Wrote:  She actually makes a relatively valid point. The cost of living in DC combined with having to maintain your home residence has to be absurdly high. Combine that with campaigning, it's almost impossible for people other than the independently wealthy to get their foot in the door. That is what has driven us from a citizen legislature to being ruled by elitist.

But no, the answer is not to pay them more and cry me a river about not being able to have a baby while in Congress. It's not supposed to be a career you twit

True, it's not supposed to be a career. But it's also not supposed to be a pay cut for the average professional.

They earn $174,000. But they're expected to maintain two residences. The average rent in DC is $2,261 a month, and most of DC is pretty crappy and unsafe. So call it $2500/month.

Maintaining a house isn't cheap either. If you're in DC half the time, you can't be cutting your own grass or fixing the toilets. That's at least $2,000, minimum, just for a lawn service.

And you probably need a home security system in each residence because half the country hates you. That's another $1500/year.

And if you're comparing her to a desk jockey making $50k, a desk jockey isn't expected to dress in a full suit every day. That's probably another $5k for uncomfortable clothes.

Add that altogether, and multiply it by 2 because your $174k puts you in a high tax bracket: 32% federal tax, 6.2% social security tax, 1.45% Medicare payroll tax, 4% DC local tax (because that's where the money is earned), and 4-8% state income tax (because you must keep your primary residence inside your district). That's 50-54%.

So that's really more like a salary of $90,000. A good living in rural areas, but $90k doesn't go very far if you're living in DC or NYC.

And if you have kids or a spouse: flying them back-and-forth to DC with you ten times a year isn't reimbursable. You either live separate lives or have a drastically lower standard of living.

So for most professionals, it's a large pay cut. That means the only people who can afford to even consider it are the independently wealthy or people whose best alternative is working as a bartender. Is that really who we want running the country?

Come on AOC, you aren't supposed to ask to be paid more money, you are supposed to use your insider knowledge to make a fortune in the stock market and take legal bribes from whichever special interest group you most closely align with. That's the way this game is played!!!

(06-23-2022 02:28 PM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(06-23-2022 10:34 AM)bobdizole Wrote:  She actually makes a relatively valid point. The cost of living in DC combined with having to maintain your home residence has to be absurdly high. Combine that with campaigning, it's almost impossible for people other than the independently wealthy to get their foot in the door. That is what has driven us from a citizen legislature to being ruled by elitist.

But no, the answer is not to pay them more and cry me a river about not being able to have a baby while in Congress. It's not supposed to be a career you twit

True, it's not supposed to be a career. But it's also not supposed to be a pay cut for the average professional.

They earn $174,000. But they're expected to maintain two residences. The average rent in DC is $2,261 a month, and most of DC is pretty crappy and unsafe. So call it $2500/month.

Maintaining a house isn't cheap either. If you're in DC half the time, you can't be cutting your own grass or fixing the toilets. That's at least $2,000, minimum, just for a lawn service.

And you probably need a home security system in each residence because half the country hates you. That's another $1500/year.

And if you're comparing her to a desk jockey making $50k, a desk jockey isn't expected to dress in a full suit every day. That's probably another $5k for uncomfortable clothes.

Add that altogether, and multiply it by 2 because your $174k puts you in a high tax bracket: 32% federal tax, 6.2% social security tax, 1.45% Medicare payroll tax, 4% DC local tax (because that's where the money is earned), and 4-8% state income tax (because you must keep your primary residence inside your district). That's 50-54%.

So that's really more like a salary of $90,000. A good living in rural areas, but $90k doesn't go very far if you're living in DC or NYC.

And if you have kids or a spouse: flying them back-and-forth to DC with you ten times a year isn't reimbursable. You either live separate lives or have a drastically lower standard of living.

So for most professionals, it's a large pay cut. That means the only people who can afford to even consider it are the independently wealthy or people whose best alternative is working as a bartender. Is that really who we want running the country?

She could cut expenses.. She doesn't need a Tesla... Or to grocery shop at Whole Foods... or go to all these galas wearing expensive clothing...

This is just how it is, in the USA in 2022.

Come from upper-middle class family, go to an expensive college, achieve a high level of success at a very young age...and complain about how hard things are and how you are a victim.

It's not just her. Most people nowadays live better than 99% of all humans in the history of the world and yet walk around thinking you've got it bad and are mistreated.

(06-23-2022 10:16 AM)MAN4UAB Wrote:  She should find a job that meets her needs and let this one go.

give her a pole in her skivvies, and nuts zongo would contribute to that 'cause'...

disclaimer: muzzle req'd

(06-23-2022 11:47 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(06-23-2022 09:51 AM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  I've got a solution, you whiny child. Quit. Don't run for re-election.

The commie, who drives a Tesla is complaining again. Poor, poor me.....I only get paid over 6X as much as a normal working person and it is not enough. Boo hoo.....



Your colleagues are also corrupt. Paying them more won't change their character one bit.

While I do enjoy piling on AOC, I actually agree with her here. With the costs of running elections combined with the expenses she points out, why would anyone sign up? It kind of makes the graft, bribes, insider trading, and kickbacks a lot more attractive. Make the salary a lot higher and ban individual investing (outside of managed funds).

I've said XACLY! the same for too long ... I'd also add equitable funding to all nominees and implement term limits ... IMO, that would bring out a more qualified brain trust than what the current system generates...

I've heard proposals made to break up the government by moving different pieces to different states. That might solve a bunch of problems. It might also cause a few problems. Having it all concentrated in D.C. is not necessary, as technology has made it easy to work from anywhere.

Thoughts?

wait! is she saying she actually does know what a woman is?

Also, 10 is a rather high number. Anyone want to tell her how many MEN have given birth while serving in Congress? I mean, her and her Progressive kind believe that 'men' can give birth now, right??