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I remember someone explaining in the before times how this was a real fault line between the Conservatives and Labour in the UK. For most of the Conservatives,
by michael1999 3y ago
I remember someone explaining in the before times how this was a real fault line between the Conservatives and Labour in the UK. For most of the Conservatives, working as an MP was a cut in pay vs their opportunities; while for many members in Labour, MP was the best paid job and pension they'd had. While in government, the perqs of power and the chance at cabinet will be enough to balance, but once out of power, sitting in opposition had no appeal. As a result, the Cameron had a terrible time finding talent in his first term after 10 years of opposition had thinned the ranks.
The US Senate seems to always have been a playground for the rich, but the House shows a bit of this. AOC now has the best paid job of her life, and seems to thrive. While the Rs in the House are dominated by grievance (Boebert) and grift (Santos). The more stable Rs are busy making money and having happy lives.
- JumpCrisscross 3y ago> AOC now has the best paid job of her life, and seems to thrive. While the Rs in the House are dominated by grievance (Boebert) and grift (Santos) AOC and Taylor-Greene are living their best lives in Congress. (Unlike Boebert, they're popular with their voters.) Closer to the centre you find cross-sector competence that is better remunerated in the private sector.
- afavour 3y agoCan't remember where I saw this now but IIRC in an interview AOC said she doesn't really enjoy serving in Congress all that much and wasn't sure how long she'd be doing it for. Could always just be saying that for effect, of course, but I'd imagine both AOC and MTG could quit tomorrow, get jobs as on-air analysts on cable news networks and make significantly more money (and probably have a better quality of life).
- alephnerd 3y agoThe hours suck, there's a lot of politicking (unsurprising), and if you're a junior member in either party you gotta pay your dues which takes forever. And there's a bit of unofficial hazing (eg. the freshman get the crappy offices with no AC, which is hell in DC during summer) Those who stick around either really believe in their cause, have a strong following back home, and/or have invested heavily in living in DC by buying a house or have family ties (eg. Pelosi)
- JumpCrisscross 3y ago> I'd imagine both AOC and MTG could quit tomorrow, get jobs as on-air analysts on cable news networks and make significantly more money Fair enough, this is totally correct.