In times of a declared "emergency"-should the pay of elected officials be suspended? (unemployed, Putin)
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As most realize, there is a great deal of "disconnect" between those in elected positions making decisions, and those who are impacted by those decisions. We have 30 million people who are unemployed. Many others who have lost their income but can't get UE-small business owners, contractors. We have long lines at food banks throughout the country as people can't put food on the table or feed their families.
At the same time, we have legislators acting like petty little tyrants, enjoying their newfound power and authority. They have proven far too often to be trying to make this as painful as possible for their subjects-while still collecting an outsized paycheck every single day. Paychecks paid by the very people whose livelihood they have destroyed.
So, in times of a declared emergency-should the pain be shared? Should elected officials causing so many to suffer be made to do without an income as well? Governors, state and local legislators. Judges, who seem willing to let violent criminals, including child molesters out of prison for their "safety"-but are willing to arrest and lock up law abiding people trying to make a living. Sheriffs and police chiefs who order their troops to enforce these petty dictates (not just destroying incomes but shutting down beaches and enforcing bans on fishing!). School boards (and school officials-elected or not) while schools are shut down and they are not working-but still collecting a paycheck on the backs of taxpayers.
In short, should elected officials no longer be immune from suffering the pain from the laws and edicts they pass?
As most realize, there is a great deal of "disconnect" between those in elected positions making decisions, and those who are impacted by those decisions. We have 30 million people who are unemployed. Many others who have lost their income but can't get UE-small business owners, contractors. We have long lines at food banks throughout the country as people can't put food on the table or feed their families.
At the same time, we have legislators acting like petty little tyrants, enjoying their newfound power and authority. They have proven far too often to be trying to make this as painful as possible for their subjects-while still collecting an outsized paycheck every single day. Paychecks paid by the very people whose livelihood they have destroyed.
So, in times of a declared emergency-should the pain be shared? Should elected officials causing so many to suffer be made to do without an income as well? Governors, state and local legislators. Judges, who seem willing to let violent criminals, including child molesters out of prison for their "safety"-but are willing to arrest and lock up law abiding people trying to make a living. Sheriffs and police chiefs who order their troops to enforce these petty dictates (not just destroying incomes but shutting down beaches and enforcing bans on fishing!). School boards (and school officials-elected or not) while schools are shut down and they are not working-but still collecting a paycheck on the backs of taxpayers.
In short, should elected officials no longer be immune from suffering the pain from the laws and edicts they pass?
If the elected officials are continuing to work not oaying them would be a violation of wage-hour statutes.
If the elected officials are continuing to work not oaying them would be a violation of wage-hour statutes.
Most don't really...work. They are the definition of non-essential employees. And sheltering them from living under their own edicts means they never feel the impact of those decisions. Lack of any kind accountability.
I can see conservatives supporting this idea now when the actions taken to fight the coronavirus are so controversial, but what about next time when the conservatives are in power and doing something that conservatives think is great while the other party does not? Then their elected officials don't get paid.
Or what about Mitch McConnell and his do nothing republican senate? Moscow Mitch even boasts about the on-going gridlock in the senate and calls himself "the grim reaper." Congressional Republicans’ only significant achievement has been a massive tax cut for the wealthy and corporations. Despite all their claims, their tax cut has not spurred the growth it promised, it’s added to the national debt, business investment is contracting, manufacturing is shrinking, and wages are barely rising - and this was BEFORE the coronavirus hit.
No pay for Putin's Mitch and his merry gang of republican do-nothings? I'm all on board!
Politicians and BUREAUCRATS should have skin in the game and need to follow the same rules as everyone else. NO PAY if they don't allow others to work and get paid. For each person laid off in the private sector a government employee should lose their job.
I guarantee this unnecessary shutdown would never have occurred if that was in place.
I can see conservatives supporting this idea now when the actions taken to fight the coronavirus are so controversial, but what about next time when the conservatives are in power and doing something that conservatives think is great while the other party does not? Then their elected officials don't get paid.
Or what about Mitch McConnell and his do nothing republican senate? Moscow Mitch even boasts about the on-going gridlock in the senate and calls himself "the grim reaper." Congressional Republicans’ only significant achievement has been a massive tax cut for the wealthy and corporations. Despite all their claims, their tax cut has not spurred the growth it promised, it’s added to the national debt, business investment is contracting, manufacturing is shrinking, and wages are barely rising - and this was BEFORE the coronavirus hit.
No pay for Putin's Mitch and his merry gang of republican do-nothings? I'm all on board!
NOBODY in the house or senate should be getting paid while they are forcing Americans to shut down. This is particularly true for the house, where they are using this emergency as an extended vacation. I include my own pathetic GOP governor, who is collecting a paycheck while I have friends losing their businesses due to his edict.
I should have voted for "don't care" because I don't care. My bad. It's easy for people to tell others what to do when it doesn't affect them though. There tends to be too much partisanship to these decisions about who says open and who doesn't. For example the left for the longest time resisted closing public transit in many cities which was the most obvious way to spread the virus fast. People couldn't get a haircut but they could cram onto busses and subways before they realized hey, that's pretty dumb.
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