3 ms·
Just playing devil’s advocate: What if a fixed/low salary only attracts the already-rich whose interests will never be well aligned with the general public? I
by cobbzilla 8y ago
Just playing devil’s advocate:
What if a fixed/low salary only attracts the already-rich whose interests will never be well aligned with the general public?
If you want superstar government that is the very best at what it is supposed to do, you need a superstar salary structure, something more like professional athletics. Our president should be paid millions (with complex incentive structures for measurable achievements), but under “at will” employment terms and accountable to the people.
- freedomben 8y agoOur presidents are alreay paid millions, typically billions. They just don't get it until after they leave office. Just look at the Obama's net worth. And of course Bill & Hillary pulling down 6 figures for giving a speech (that somebody else writes for them). I'd say they are paid pretty well already
- cobbzilla 8y agoPay received after leaving office cannot by definition incentivize any behavior during the term.
- freedomben 8y agoNot sure what you mean. Politicians routinely do things while in office expecting a payoff later after leaving office. It's not always cash (in fact usually not), but certainly lucrative speaking engagements, often times board positions or "consultant" fees paid for very little work, professorships at prestigious universities (with 6 figure salaries despite teaching little or no courses), etc. The options are only limited by people's imagination.