"It's not about a salary it's all about REALITY!"

[Go Getter]

Salary of retired U.S. presidents -- $180,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of House/Senate -- $174,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of Speaker of the House -- $223,500 FOR LIFE
Salary of majority/minority leaders -- $193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a teacher -- $40,065
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000


The reality is that our gov't is a bunch of crooks, the two party system doesn't work, and these guys are getting paid for life to do a *&^%$# up job.

We need to make some MAJOR changes quick...starting with a pay cut for these losers.

[BlueandGold]

did you just see zeitgeist or something?

[Go Getter]

did you just see zeitgeist or something?
No...my friend asked me to post this....I need to see that one though (or so I hear).


*Sorry for posting this in the wrong section mods*

[chains5000]

Salary of retired U.S. presidents -- $180,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of House/Senate -- $174,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of Speaker of the House -- $223,500 FOR LIFE
Salary of majority/minority leaders -- $193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a teacher -- $40,065
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000


The reality is that our gov't is a bunch of crooks, the two party system doesn't work, and these guys are getting paid for life to do a *&^%$# up job.

We need to make some MAJOR changes quick...starting with a pay cut for these losers.
The worst part of this is that it doesn't only happen in the USA, it's common for every country in the world.

[Go Getter]

The worst part of this is that it doesn't only happen in the USA, it's common for every country in the world.
I agree. What sickens me is that we continue to perpetuate this image that we are the best and everything is ok, "God bless America."

Damn all that we need to wake up quick and make some major changes starting with getting these crooks out of office.

Public service should not be done by millionaires and billionaires they don't have the proper perspective so it seems.

[Hater]

I agree. What sickens me is that we continue to perpetuate this image that we are the best and everything is ok, "God bless America."

Damn all that we need to wake up quick and make some major changes starting with getting these crooks out of office.

Public service should not be done by millionaires and billionaires they don't have the proper perspective so it seems.
Yeah, let's vote for Joe Schmoe with a GED and an associates degree in criminal justice from the local community college. Doesn't know a damn thing about economics or politics, but he sure is in touch with the common man!

[iamgine]

Salary of retired U.S. presidents -- $180,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of House/Senate -- $174,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of Speaker of the House -- $223,500 FOR LIFE
Salary of majority/minority leaders -- $193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a teacher -- $40,065
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000

# of teachers & soldiers = 500,000+ people

# of presidents & senate = <1000 people

[Go Getter]

Yeah, let's vote for Joe Schmoe with a GED and an associates degree in criminal justice from the local community college. Doesn't know a damn thing about economics or politics, but he sure is in touch with the common man!
Ask yourself. Did I say uneducated? Or did I say (in a roundabout way) that our gov't does not need rich people with ties to fortune 500 companies running our country because it's a conflict of interests that ends up hurting the majority of Americans (and has us where we are now).

Most people who graduate with degrees in economy, history, and/or sociology are not rich.

[Go Getter]

# of teachers & soldiers = 500,000+ people

# of presidents & senate = <1000 people
And what does that mean?

Why would America pay someone for LIFE that has done a terrible job and left the country WORSE than when they started?

No one should get paid for shoddy work and it is obvious that we need to pay teachers and soldiers more in comparison to other public servants like politicians...is it not?

[iamgine]

And what does that mean?

Why would America pay someone for LIFE that has done a terrible job and left the country WORSE than when they started?

No one should get paid for shoddy work and it is obvious that we need to pay teachers and soldiers more in comparison to other public servants like politicians...is it not?
Teachers and soldiers are paid a lot more overall.

500,000 * $40,000 = $20 Billion

1,000 x $200,000 = $200 million

[Real Men Wear Green]

"It's not about the NBA, it belongs in the OTC. (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=7)"

[Go Getter]

"It's not about the NBA, it belongs in the OTC. (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=7)"


If you scroll up I apologized to the mods for posting this in the wrong section smartass.

[Go Getter]

Teachers and soldiers are paid a lot more overall.

500,000 * $40,000 = $20 Billion

1,000 x $200,000 = $200 million

And teachers still need to be paid more. They NEED more money and our elite politicians do not....especially after they have over a period of years, jacked up are economy all to hell.

[D-Wade316]

Salary of retired U.S. presidents -- $180,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of House/Senate -- $174,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of Speaker of the House -- $223,500 FOR LIFE
Salary of majority/minority leaders -- $193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a teacher -- $40,065
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000


The reality is that our gov't is a bunch of crooks, the two party system doesn't work, and these guys are getting paid for life to do a *&^%$# up job.

We need to make some MAJOR changes quick...starting with a pay cut for these losers.
:applause:

[iamgine]

And teachers still need to be paid more. They NEED more money and our elite politicians do not....especially after they have over a period of years, jacked up are economy all to hell.
Why? Everybody can use more money.

[Go Getter]

Why? Everybody can use more money.

Because our kids are falling behind in key subjects.

Teaching is sometimes a thankless job but it is very important.

Giving teachers more respect (READ: money) will attract better teachers and help them sustain their calm in a sea of ignorant and annoying youth.

[iamgine]

Money = respect now?

[Go Getter]

Money = respect now?

When you're poor and struggling and underpaid (and asking for gov't to be involved)? Yes.


But as a general rule no, not really.

[InfiniteBaskets]

Money = respect now?
Money draws talent. It's the reason why the financial sector is able to attract kids from the ivy league schools while you'll rarely see a public school teacher with an ivy league education.

[iamgine]

$40,000 isn't really poor though.

[Go Getter]

$40,000 isn't really poor though.
$38,000 isn't cutting it these days esp for those with families.

[bagelred]

yo yo yo yo...........President FOR LIFE motherf-cker........east SIIIIIIIDE!!!!!

[chocolatethunder]

Salary of retired U.S. presidents -- $180,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of House/Senate -- $174,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of Speaker of the House -- $223,500 FOR LIFE
Salary of majority/minority leaders -- $193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a teacher -- $40,065
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000


The reality is that our gov't is a bunch of crooks, the two party system doesn't work, and these guys are getting paid for life to do a *&^%$# up job.

We need to make some MAJOR changes quick...starting with a pay cut for these losers.

While I do think that politicians are crooks, I think that some of what you say is simply not true and a commonly mistaken urban myth. While presidents do receive a salary for life, senators and representatives must earn a pension and you cannot and do not just serve one term and start collecting that money when your term is up. You can read about it here. http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/retirement_for_members.shtml

[iamgine]

$38,000 isn't cutting it these days esp for those with families.
But both parents can get $40,000 which = $80,000. Thats enough.

[twintowers]

I agree. What sickens me is that we continue to perpetuate this image that we are the best and everything is ok, "God bless America."

Damn all that we need to wake up quick and make some major changes starting with getting these crooks out of office.

Public service should not be done by millionaires and billionaires they don't have the proper perspective so it seems.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYIC0eZYEtI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXWzSwZ_wPs

[sundizz]

As a teacher I can say the salary is fine. It's the expectations that are exhausting. A teacher really works well beyond the hours you expect in terms of preparation, and dealing with bs. The teaching model is not conducive to helping students that need extra attention. There doesn't need to be more money paid to an individual teacher. There needs to be more money paid so that there can be assistants, more special help teachers, etc etc.

There is money to be made in the summer, etc. If you spend the time to get a MBA, and/or master's of education degree you can move into different and more profitable areas.

Teaching is a labor of love and the benefits you receive are of a different kind. There also are 'perks' such as free tuition for your child if you teach at a private school, triple AAA discounts, etc etc.

[RobertdeMeijer]

A good idea for paying teachers and soldiers would be to tax the heck out of all those people earning more than twohundred grand a year. At least, that's what they do in happy places like Finland and Holland, and the USA used to do.

[gotbacon23]

so the current US president makes $400k per year, and the other 4 current living presidents make (from the government) a combined $720k per year. that's $1.12 million per year for all living presidents (current/past). that's about the salary of the veteran minimum in the nba for all the presidents combined. doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me...

what salary do you feel a president deserves?

[rocfan1]

200k for a highly educated ivy league graduate lawyer thats a steal for us. Thats not alot at all your not living in reality if you think the president is overpaid considering his qualifications.

he could make 700k a year easily right now in private sector

[Kevin_Gamble]

so the current US president makes $400k per year, and the other 4 current living presidents make (from the government) a combined $720k per year. that's $1.12 million per year for all living presidents (current/past). that's about the salary of the veteran minimum in the nba for all the presidents combined. doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me...

what salary do you feel a president deserves?

At least the full MLE.

[Kobe Jnr]

Salary of retired U.S. presidents -- $180,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of House/Senate -- $174,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of Speaker of the House -- $223,500 FOR LIFE
Salary of majority/minority leaders -- $193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a teacher -- $40,065
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000


The reality is that our gov't is a bunch of crooks, the two party system doesn't work, and these guys are getting paid for life to do a *&^%$# up job.

We need to make some MAJOR changes quick...starting with a pay cut for these losers.

Why do presidents get 170k and Speaker of the house get 200k ?

[Kevin_Gamble]

Why do presidents get 170k and Speaker of the house get 200k ?

My guess would be because a president can serve maximum 8 years but to be a speaker of the House you pretty much have to have been there for decades.

[Go Getter]

But both parents can get $40,000 which = $80,000. Thats enough.
I can agree to that but my point remains.

[Stuckey]

until the teacher's union is banned, **** teachers

[iamgine]

I can agree to that but my point remains.
No your point is invalid.

[Lebowski]

But both parents can get $40,000 which = $80,000. Thats enough.

There are families with one parent, same amount of kids tho..

But I am not saying raise salary to 80k. However teachers in Sweden does not get a salary that matches what is asked of them in time and work. This has disastrous effect long term. What happens? Most talented people choose to study something else at university. That leads to the grade-limit to be lowered so much that really you only have to show up at high school and you can get into teachers program. Next we get teachers who did not pick their line of work because they really like to teach and help others learn, but because "its the only thing I could get into with my grades". And so the viscous cycle takes place.

Throwing huge sums of money is not the answer, but its one part of the problem. And salaries today are not balanced, the level of compensation, mainly in the financial sector is so far of most people are disgusted just thinking about it. We need good teachers, at least this country's future depends on it.

[Crown&Coke]

"It's not about a salary it's all about REALITY!"

I think thats from a Fort Minor song, I like it.

[Unstoppabull]

Sounds a lot like some verse from a song. Can't remember though

[BlueandGold]

Howard Hughes said it best "Money is only an issue when you don't have any"

This is essentially true for any common necessity for life. A starving man has food on his mind 24/7. Someone who hasn't had sex for a long time is going to think about sex a lot more than someone who has it all the time.

Some people say money isn't important, those same people most likely never had to really struggle in earning their income.

[AMISTILLILL]

It's not reality, it's actuality.
http://blog.ajchristian.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/trutv-logo.gif

This thread is dumb. Partially thought out, knee jerk reaction by a grossly misinformed OP.

Do you even know how getting hired on as a teacher works? "Respecting" teachers more isn't going to attract this apparently neglected pool of "better teachers" out lurking in the shadows somewhere. If you get your credentials you take a job where you can get it.

[Kombo]

Teachers make same or more per hour as some types of engineers, architects, programmers, police officers (about 25% more) and accountants. They make $3-5/hour less than lawyers, nuclear engineers, dentists.

The problem is they work 9 months a year, on average about 7 hours a day (<4 hours teaching). The complaints come from having to take a lot of work home. But so do so many other jobs.

Not to mention teaching is a very desirable career path. It has a high demand but a limited supply of positions. The wages should be lower if the schools are struggling with their budgets.

[get these NETS]

entered thinking it was a krs-one tribute thread

[Lebowski]

It's not reality, it's actuality.
http://blog.ajchristian.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/trutv-logo.gif

This thread is dumb. Partially thought out, knee jerk reaction by a grossly misinformed OP.

Do you even know how getting hired on as a teacher works? "Respecting" teachers more isn't going to attract this apparently neglected pool of "better teachers" out lurking in the shadows somewhere. If you get your credentials you take a job where you can get it.

In the states no, I dont know how it works.

Its not so much as "respecting teachers", altho in the classroom there is a lack of respect, its about making it a respectable job again. Its about getting people who want to teach to become teachers. Even if you feel like you really want to teach for a living, why would you sacrifice 5 years at the university, taking out a big loan and then work for a salary you can get without getting any higher education (in Sweden anyways)? Today money is everything, and if you want a family and all that comes with that, you might steer away from what you really want and do something else. There is a pressure in our society to own and to have.

Its not the end of the world, but we need good educators, education and science is a big part of what made this country and we cant afford to loose that.

[Lebowski]

Teachers make same or more per hour as some types of engineers, architects, programmers, police officers (about 25% more) and accountants. They make $3-5/hour less than lawyers, nuclear engineers, dentists.

The problem is they work 9 months a year, on average about 7 hours a day (<4 hours teaching). The complaints come from having to take a lot of work home. But so do so many other jobs.

Not to mention teaching is a very desirable career path. It has a high demand but a limited supply of positions. The wages should be lower if the schools are struggling with their budgets.

Bold part we share. Otherwise it is totaly different. What is a avg teacher salary in the US anyway?

[LJJ]

[
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000

Uhm, that's actually quite a high salary considering a deployed soldier has very low (if any) living expenses and that job requires pretty much no education and only very basic skills. And I imagine the benefits are quite good also. They don't have anything to complain about.

[Kevin_Gamble]

Bold part we share. Otherwise it is totaly different. What is a avg teacher salary in the US anyway?

It's like $55,000 per year. To put that in perspective, a step III biomedical engineer or a step III accountant makes around $65,000 per year, while working 11 months (assuming 4 weeks vacation by the time you make it to step III).

[paintingshade]

are you kidding me with these "cuts"? first ill only briefly mention the caliber of person it takes to become a senator (not to mention cost of education) vs the caliber it takes to be a soldier. you want to make "cuts" by lowering their salary? even a $100 million cut is just 0.0007% of our deficit. compare it to someone who makes around 20,000, spends 40,000 a year, and has 150,000 in debt. this "cut" would be the same as reducing the spending by $1. ONE DOLLAR.

and before you start thinking "i could do better", no, you can't. probably no one can. and no one will. it's far too big, and far too complex for anyone to truly comprehend. we have this weird thing with needing a "bad guy" for every crisis, so we don't feel responsible. don't get it twisted, everyone is the bad guy, we're all at fault, and no one "deserves" anything.

[LBJFTW]

This country is all about entitlement and lack of education. Whatever happened to the concept of working hard and setting goals for yourself to achieve something in life?

"Obama gonna buy me a new car!"

Yes, people actually believed this.

[Lebowski]

It's like $55,000 per year. To put that in perspective, a step III biomedical engineer or a step III accountant makes around $65,000 per year, while working 11 months (assuming 4 weeks vacation by the time you make it to step III).

Avg here is about 44k. This and, to quote Kombo, "Not to mention teaching is a very desirable career path" is what truly differs I guess. But 55k is a good salary, of course it is relative to the costs, but here it is considered to be a very good salary. (Then many things are free or at a low-cost, like healthcare)

[Lebowski]

"Obama gonna buy me a new car!"

Yes, people actually believed this.

Sad and funny at the same time..

[Go Getter]

Uhm, that's actually quite a high salary considering a deployed soldier has very low (if any) living expenses and that job requires pretty much no education and only very basic skills. And I imagine the benefits are quite good also. They don't have anything to complain about.
I've been overseas in this war and yes they do have something to complain about.


My point is, again, that we should not pay every politician for life especially if they **** up....they have been ****ing up our economy for decades with no fear of performance based pay cuts or termination in some cases.

[Go Getter]

are you kidding me with these "cuts"? first ill only briefly mention the caliber of person it takes to become a senator (not to mention cost of education) vs the caliber it takes to be a soldier. you want to make "cuts" by lowering their salary? even a $100 million cut is just 0.0007% of our deficit. compare it to someone who makes around 20,000, spends 40,000 a year, and has 150,000 in debt. this "cut" would be the same as reducing the spending by $1. ONE DOLLAR.

and before you start thinking "i could do better", no, you can't. probably no one can. and no one will. it's far too big, and far too complex for anyone to truly comprehend. we have this weird thing with needing a "bad guy" for every crisis, so we don't feel responsible. don't get it twisted, everyone is the bad guy, we're all at fault, and no one "deserves" anything.
We can do better. The caliber of person in the upper echelon of govt is a greedy out of touch person with corporate connections....I don't think that's conducive to economic stability and transparency.

[Go Getter]

are you kidding me with these "cuts"? first ill only briefly mention the caliber of person it takes to become a senator (not to mention cost of education) vs the caliber it takes to be a soldier. you want to make "cuts" by lowering their salary? even a $100 million cut is just 0.0007% of our deficit. compare it to someone who makes around 20,000, spends 40,000 a year, and has 150,000 in debt. this "cut" would be the same as reducing the spending by $1. ONE DOLLAR.

and before you start thinking "i could do better", no, you can't. probably no one can. and no one will. it's far too big, and far too complex for anyone to truly comprehend. we have this weird thing with needing a "bad guy" for every crisis, so we don't feel responsible. don't get it twisted, everyone is the bad guy, we're all at fault, and no one "deserves" anything.
We can do better. The caliber of person in the upper echelon of govt is a greedy out of touch person with corporate connections....I don't think that's conducive to economic stability and transparency.

[N0Skillz]

Salary of retired U.S. presidents -- $180,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of House/Senate -- $174,000 FOR LIFE
Salary of Speaker of the House -- $223,500 FOR LIFE
Salary of majority/minority leaders -- $193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a teacher -- $40,065
.........Average salary of soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN -- $38,000


The reality is that our gov't is a bunch of crooks, the two party system doesn't work, and these guys are getting paid for life to do a *&^%$# up job.

We need to make some MAJOR changes quick...starting with a pay cut for these losers.


There are alot more Soldiers and Teachers then Presidents.....

According to the 2000 Census

According to the US Census Bureau 2000 census, the " Number of all teachers in the United States." is 6.2 million.

6.2 Million x 40,065 = 248 Billion Dollars a year
Presidents Currently Alive = 4
4 x 180,000 (Also Wrong Its Higher Now) = 720,000 Dollars a year

[N0Skillz]

are you kidding me with these "cuts"? first ill only briefly mention the caliber of person it takes to become a senator (not to mention cost of education) vs the caliber it takes to be a soldier. you want to make "cuts" by lowering their salary? even a $100 million cut is just 0.0007% of our deficit. compare it to someone who makes around 20,000, spends 40,000 a year, and has 150,000 in debt. this "cut" would be the same as reducing the spending by $1. ONE DOLLAR.

and before you start thinking "i could do better", no, you can't. probably no one can. and no one will. it's far too big, and far too complex for anyone to truly comprehend. we have this weird thing with needing a "bad guy" for every crisis, so we don't feel responsible. don't get it twisted, everyone is the bad guy, we're all at fault, and no one "deserves" anything.

We owe about 10 Trillion Dollars To Ourselves you know?

only 2 trill to China

[magnax1]

So someone thinks that teachers deserve to be payed more then the president? Or am I just not getting the point? If anything, the presidents deserve more then that, though they do get a ton of money from other places and were previously wealthy anyway.
And why does the speaker of the house get more then the president? lol

[N0Skillz]

So someone thinks that teachers deserve to be payed more then the president? Or am I just not getting the point? If anything, the presidents deserve more then that, though they do get a ton of money from other places and were previously wealthy anyway.
And why does the speaker of the house get more then the president? lol


Presidents pay is actually around 400K and im pretty sure on that

[maxwellcu]

If you think the quality of politician is bad now -- and it is very bad -- I wonder how you would feel about the quality of leadership if they were all making $50k.

There is much wrong with our political system. Compensation is waaaay down the list, if it is a problem at all, and it could easily be argued that increasing their pay would have a much more positive effect than lowering it.

OP is relatively clueless. Many of the smartest people in politics are people who are already taking a significant paycut to be there. Do you think 200k is a lot of money for people with law degrees and MBAs from elite universities to be making mid-to-late career? It's a fraction of their earning potential in the private sector.

[N0Skillz]

more then half ofcongress is millionaires and 3/4ths are only 100k- away from it.

[Lucifer]

Teachers and soldiers are paid a lot more overall.

500,000 * $40,000 = $20 Billion

1,000 x $200,000 = $200 million


Stop trolling. how about they divided the salaries equally for everybody. then you're gonna call me a socialist right? you don't see anything wrong with teachers and soldiers getting paid mid-low class range with $hit pensions, while government officials get paid 6 figures FOR LIFE? I honestly don't know how to fix this issue, but at least i can acknowledge it's effed up. same as luke walton making 5 million a year riding the bench.

[Lucifer]

OP is relatively clueless. Many of the smartest people in politics are people who are already taking a significant paycut to be there. Do you think 200k is a lot of money for people with law degrees and MBAs from elite universities to be making mid-to-late career? It's a fraction of their earning potential in the private sector.


You're an idiot if you think these people's only source of income is their salary at work :lol

[N0Skillz]

Stop trolling. how about they divided the salaries equally for everybody. then you're gonna call me a socialist right? you don't see anything wrong with teachers and soldiers getting paid mid-low class range with $hit pensions, while government officials get paid 6 figures FOR LIFE? I honestly don't know how to fix this issue, but at least i can acknowledge it's effed up. same as luke walton making 5 million a year riding the bench.


There are 6.2 Million Teachers as of 2000. 6,200,000
There are an upward to a Million Soldiers. 1,000,000


4 Presidents Currently Alive.
535 Members In Congress.

We vote for our officials, we ELECT them. It's not like they are stealing money away from us, we chose to put them there.

[N0Skillz]

You're an idiot if you think these people's only source of income is their salary at work :lol


Would you rather they work a day job and also have to deal with the laws that cover 300 Million people?

[Lebowski]

We vote for our officials, we ELECT them. It's not like they are stealing money away from us, we chose to put them there.


This is where a good education comes in and play a huge roll.

[Stuckey]

Would you rather they work a day job and also have to deal with the laws that cover 300 Million people?

like not reading the Patriot Act and just signing off on it like it's no big deal

[Vien]

First of all, I am not an American.

But haven't you thought that those people earning that 6-figure salary put a lot into their education? Also, at least in theory, their job is basically to manage millions of people. That in itself is already a pretty hard job.

Soldiers in general do not require not much education, and I think living expenses overseas (in military bases) are pretty close to zero. Plus, they are probably doing their job because they like it (love for country or something).

And for Luke Walton, the guy is still probably one of the top 1000 basketball players today; he does deserve at least a million per year as a practice player, having a rather high IQ for the triangle (Laker fan here).

[Go Getter]

Stop trolling. how about they divided the salaries equally for everybody. then you're gonna call me a socialist right? you don't see anything wrong with teachers and soldiers getting paid mid-low class range with $hit pensions, while government officials get paid 6 figures FOR LIFE? I honestly don't know how to fix this issue, but at least i can acknowledge it's effed up. same as luke walton making 5 million a year riding the bench.
Thank you. Add that to the fact that some politicians are above the law and still get paid for life even when they don't perform well and I really think we need to scrap this system or revise it.

[N0Skillz]

Thank you. Add that to the fact that some politicians are above the law and still get paid for life even when they don't perform well and I really think we need to scrap this system or revise it.


They arn't elected for life, and if they don't do well they wont get reelected. It's our job to choose the best candidate available to represent us. Most Senators and Representatives have already made a name for themselves.

Also the OP mislead everyone about how the real pension plan actually looks like, I looked it up and here is what I found.

Salary and benefits

The annual salary of each senator, as of 2009, is $174,000;[27] the president pro tempore and party leaders receive $193,400.[28] In June 2003, at least 40 of the then-senators were millionaires.[29]

Along with earning salaries, senators receive retirement and health benefits that are identical to other federal employees, and are fully vested after five years of service.[28] Senators are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). As it is for federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Under FERS, senators contribute 1.3% of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2% of their salary in Social Security taxes. The amount of a senator's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of their salary. The starting amount of a senator's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of their final salary. In 2006, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives under CSRS was $60,972, while those who retired under FERS, or in combination with CSRS, was $35,952.[28]

[PowerGlove]

SMH @ this thread. People are actually trying to say that teachers arent underpaid?

[N0Skillz]

SMH @ this thread. People are actually trying to say that teachers arent underpaid?


I didn't see anyone say that -.- . I'm pretty sure everyone would agree with that.

[Lucifer]

I didn't see anyone say that -.- . I'm pretty sure everyone would agree with that.


Eff off. Theres people in this thread trying to justify it because there's SO many teachers out there hence the economy can't accomodate high salaries for all of them.


And back to your point on how WE the people elect these people and give them that salaries. What the hell does that have to do with anything. Sure we elect them, only because their running and we have to pick the options we're given, but I gurantee only a fraction of the voters actually know what their salaries are. idiots like you are okay with it, while others feel it's blasphemy compared to what troops are getting paid.

:facepalm

[IGOTGAME]

Why shouldn't they be paid this much? I'm confused.

Seems perfectly logical.

[Lucifer]

Why shouldn't they be paid this much? I'm confused.

Seems perfectly logical.

Why SHOULD they be paid that much in comparison to troops and teachers?

[N0Skillz]

Why SHOULD they be paid that much in comparison to troops and teachers?


WHY DoNT OUR TEACHERS AND SOLDIERS ALL BECOME PRESIDENTS SO THEY CAN MAKE THAT MUCH?

It's not like where putting a knife to their necks and telling them to become teachers.

Oh Yeah, cause being a president requires more knowledge and work then teaching the ABC's to 4 year olds..

[N0Skillz]

And back to your point on how WE the people elect these people and give them that salaries. What the hell does that have to do with anything. Sure we elect them, only because their running and we have to pick the options we're given, but I gurantee only a fraction of the voters actually know what their salaries are. idiots like you are okay with it, while others feel it's blasphemy compared to what troops are getting paid.

:facepalm


:roll: :roll: :roll:

Why don't you run for office and see if its that easy.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

from what I see you writing it seems as though its free money

Also you do know people that join the army know how much they are going to be paid right?

[Lover]

CEO's make millions on top of millions a year. The president of the entire freaking country makes 200k. These salaries are chump change for most of these guys. They were rich before taking office. You'll never see a poor guy up there because most smart, educated, motivated people get rich before they run for office. Go ahead and vote the crackhead on the corner for president if you want. The OP just wants someone that has his interests in mind just like the idiots that just voted for Obama because he was black and they thought he was gonna drive through Harlem passing out $100 bills. And now that he hasn't they're bashing him for it and calling him a sellout and whatnot. Uneducated urban citizens of this country think all this success is just handed to them on a silver platter. It takes a lot of work to be successful. Stop looking for handouts.

[Lucifer]

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/warner_brothers/batman/jack_nicholson/batmandvd1.jpg

[clayton]

Senators make much more than that. A great many of them have stocks in weapons, oil and other companies that contribute to the war machine; and this so called "war on terror" increases their incomes as well.

[PowerGlove]

CEO's make millions on top of millions a year. The president of the entire freaking country makes 200k. These salaries are chump change for most of these guys. They were rich before taking office. You'll never see a poor guy up there because most smart, educated, motivated people get rich before they run for office. Go ahead and vote the crackhead on the corner for president if you want. The OP just wants someone that has his interests in mind just like the idiots that just voted for Obama because he was black and they thought he was gonna drive through Harlem passing out $100 bills. And now that he hasn't they're bashing him for it and calling him a sellout and whatnot. Uneducated urban citizens of this country think all this success is just handed to them on a silver platter. It takes a lot of work to be successful. Stop looking for handouts.
This is exactly why life is so hard. The education system is f*cked up, Immigration is shit, the income gap is huge(we are a two tier society, middle class is shrinking super fast) and drowning in debt, yet we are run by "smart,educated people". IDGAF how educated they are, if they are just going to sit on their ass and be greedy what good are they? They are supposed to serve us. Yet people like you refuse to blame them. Are the people supposed to fix all of these problems?

[IGOTGAME]

Why SHOULD they be paid that much in comparison to troops and teachers?

You have to attract qualified people.

You have to make it less likely they will be influenced by lure of money through illegal means.

And per person they have a bigger impact on society.

Honestly, teachers don't have it that bad. If they don't like the pay then leave.

[Lover]

This is exactly why life is so hard. The education system is f*cked up, Immigration is shit, the income gap is huge(we are a two tier society, middle class is shrinking super fast) and drowning in debt, yet we are run by "smart,educated people". IDGAF how educated they are, if they are just going to sit on their ass and be greedy what good are they? They are supposed to serve us. Yet people like you refuse to blame them. Are the people supposed to fix all of these problems?
That has nothing to do with my post. Did you even read it?

[PowerGlove]

That has nothing to do with my post. Did you even read it?
Yes I read your snobby post. It has everything to do with your post.

Not only are you wrong, senators make way more than 200k. You have lobbyists in their pocket, contracts of all kind from construction to defense/military and they arent doing shit to earn it. Yet you look down on people who voted for them wanting a better life. No, not everyone is looking for a handout, but would a hand to help them up hurt?

How are people supposed to fix structural problems without help? Or is that another handout to you? Actually believing that a candidate will make things better doesnt mean that all people want are handouts.

[Rose]

Yes I read your snobby post. It has everything to do with your post.

Not only are you wrong, senators make way more than 200k. You have lobbyists in their pocket, contracts of all kind from construction to defense/military and they arent doing shit to earn it. Yet you look down on people who voted for them wanting a better life. No, not everyone is looking for a handout, but would a hand to help them up hurt?

How are people supposed to fix structural problems without help? Or is that another handout to you? Actually believing that a candidate will make things better doesnt mean that all people want are handouts.
:applause:

[Lover]

Yes I read your snobby post. It has everything to do with your post.

Not only are you wrong, senators make way more than 200k. You have lobbyists in their pocket, contracts of all kind from construction to defense/military and they arent doing shit to earn it. Yet you look down on people who voted for them wanting a better life. No, not everyone is looking for a handout, but would a hand to help them up hurt?

Without proof, that's nothing more than speculation from an uneducated member of society brainwashed by his equally uneducated parents. I'm not looking down on everyone. I'm just looking down on people that refused to read a book as a kid and refused to put full effort in school. Then they whine about their lives as an adult.



How are people supposed to fix structural problems without help? Or is that another handout to you? Actually believing that a candidate will make things better doesnt mean that all people want are handouts.
I supposed you just want Obama to rack up debt annually handing out stimulus packages? That's the problem with this country. They keep helping up people who aren't gonna be productive anyway. Let the law of the jungle take care of them. Axe these bullshit welfare programs. Stop with the stimulus packages.

[PowerGlove]

Without proof, that's nothing more than speculation from an uneducated member of society brainwashed by his equally uneducated parents. I'm not looking down on everyone. I'm just looking down on people that refused to read a book as a kid and refused to put full effort in school. Then they whine about their lives as an adult.

Without proof? You sound ignorant as hell.


I supposed you just want Obama to rack up debt annually handing out stimulus packages? That's the problem with this country. They keep helping up people who aren't gonna be productive anyway. Let the law of the jungle take care of them. Axe these bullshit welfare programs. Stop with the stimulus packages.

Obama was the only candidate elected to government? Senators arent elected now? Representatives? where did I say obama? I dont have such a simplistic view of the gov to just look at the figurehead and pin all my hopes on him.

You are just an idiot. I was a welfare baby, when my sister was born we used wic, these programs help people in need. Now my mother is project manager at home depot making six figures a year. Stop being stupid. If you never give people the chance to be successful you wont have a successful country. The law of the jungle will consume you dumbass.

[N0Skillz]

This is exactly why life is so hard. The education system is f*cked up, Immigration is shit, the income gap is huge(we are a two tier society, middle class is shrinking super fast) and drowning in debt, yet we are run by "smart,educated people". IDGAF how educated they are, if they are just going to sit on their ass and be greedy what good are they? They are supposed to serve us. Yet people like you refuse to blame them. Are the people supposed to fix all of these problems?


Should we elect stupid,uneducated people instead?

To the bolded lol? Who is supposed to fix these problems? God?

[PowerGlove]

Should we elect stupid,uneducated people instead?

To the bolded lol? Who is supposed to fix these problems? God?
america has most of the best universities in the world yet you are trying to say that the only alternative to the current crop of politicians are idiots like yourself?

SMH.

[N0Skillz]

america has most of the best universities in the world yet you are trying to say that the only alternative to the current crop of politicians are idiots like yourself?

SMH.


So you want to force others to running for elections?


You do know that everyone in office right now won with a majority right?

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

In America we have elections where people vote for who they want elected, and the person with the most votes represents us.

Amazing right? and guess what EVERYONE can vote.

OMG

and a little secret, the only requirements to run are

at least 25 years of age.

a citizen of the United States for at least seven years prior to election.

a resident of the state he or she is chosen to represent.

[Lebowski]

Axe these bullshit welfare programs.

Are you for or against raising taxes for the wealthy?



Amazing right? and guess what EVERYONE can vote. AND Should we elect stupid,uneducated people instead?

This is how its supposed to be of course, however, lack of education re-elected a man who would not be able to run McDonalds on Times Square successfully..

I'm just pushing really hard for the teachers sry ;-)

[N0Skillz]

Are you for or against raising taxes for the wealthy?




This is how its supposed to be of course, however, lack of education re-elected a man who would not be able to run McDonalds on Times Square successfully..

I'm just pushing really hard for the teachers sry ;-)


lack of education can not elect a man.

Bush Had 62,040,610
Kerry Had 59,028,444

Bush won because he got the evangelical vote.


I hope Kerry runs again -.- , Know thats a good candidate.

He's also worth 245+ Million Dollars.

I agree teachers should be paid more, but I think before we start paying teachers more we should put more funding into schools.

[Lebowski]

lack of education can not elect a man.

IMO it can elect the wrong man tho.. Bad leaders get too many votes from population that lacks a good education. There are many examples, Italy is one. Silvio Berlusconi might be worse then GWB, mainly got his votes from people who lacks a higher, and some times any, education at all. Of course he rose to power with the help of anti-immigrant parties (I think). To me, racism is largely due to a, again, lack of education.

I must add, Kerry might have been as bad and then of course it makes it really though. But what just befuddles me is that GWB got in again!


we should put more funding into schools.

I agree 100%! Even in a "socialist" country like Sweden, we need more funding's into the school system, where salaries are just one part. We need more teachers, we need to raise the bar/level at our University's, and we need to focus more on pedagogy and special ed.

[N0Skillz]

I agree 100%! Even in a "socialist" country like Sweden, we need more funding's into the school system, where salaries are just one part. We need more teachers, we need to raise the bar/level at our University's, and we need to focus more on pedagogy and special ed.

Lol Ask those people what socialist means because I bet they don't know lols.

AMERICA decided


Everyone should be protected from fires and made the fire department
The Fire Department Is Socialism

Everyone should have roads and sidewalks so it is easier to travel.
Construction of Roads,sidewalks,and other structures is Socialism

That we should spend TAX DOLLARS on space exploration
NASA is socialism

That we should spend Tax Dollars supporting Museums
Museums are Socialism (Smithsonian)

What about public education?
PUBLIC EDUCATION is socialism

What about the building of prisions?
PRISONS ARE SOCIALISM

The Postal Service?
YES ITS SOCIALISM

Like Parks?
SOCIALISTIC

[N0Skillz]

So tell anyone that tells you they don't want to be a socialist country that we already are and if they don't want to be anymore ask them to think about America without Social Security,Parks, Museums,Fire Department,Roads and tell them to shove it.

[magnax1]

The original definition of socialism was actually meant to represent one of the steps to communism, and encompasses a pretty large group. You could call everyone from the USSR to the United States socialist, though there definitely isn't very much of it in the US.

[N0Skillz]

The original definition of socialism was actually meant to represent one of the steps to communism, and encompasses a pretty large group. You could call everyone from the USSR to the United States socialist, though there definitely isn't very much of it in the US.


I disagree

[magnax1]

I disagree
Compared to most Western countries?

[N0Skillz]

Compared to most Western countries?

We still have so many things that make us socialistic.

[SunsCaptain]

People complain about what politicians make but look at professional athletes...... Making millions each year to play a game :lol

[Lebowski]

We still have so many things that make us socialistic.

You are right of course. That was a nice.. colorful poem too!

I don't know why I used that term, I guess in my mind that is who we are looked upon by many US citizens when compared to you. Still I think we are miles apart and I think you agree.

[N0Skillz]

You are right of course. That was a nice.. colorful poem too!

I don't know why I used that term, I guess in my mind that is who we are looked upon by many US citizens when compared to you. Still I think we are miles apart and I think you agree.


didn't understand this part 0.o

[Lebowski]

didn't understand this part 0.o

It is my poor English.

What I mean is, imo, many Americans would describe Sweden as a socialist country and would say that US and Sweden are not the same. Something like that, nothing relevant to our prior discussion really.

[N0Skillz]

It is my poor English.

What I mean is, imo, many Americans would describe Sweden as a socialist country and would say that US and Sweden are not the same. Something like that, nothing relevant to our prior discussion really.


America is a 'mixed economy' which means that it's part socialist and part capitalist. Without government intervention, this country would have crashed and burned a long time ago.

So yeah.......