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1   Goran_K   2018 Apr 12, 8:19am  

Fuck Paul Ryan.
2   MisdemeanorRebel   2018 Apr 12, 8:26am  

And he's been in Congress since 1998.

Multimillionaire.

UpChuck has also been in Government since his 20s. He's never really had a job outside of politics.
3   WookieMan   2018 Apr 12, 8:32am  

From the OP article:

A Bloomberg analysis before that election showed that among directors who had previously served in Congress there were 31 Democrats and 33 Republicans, with the average pay more than $330,000.

Ryan will no longer be making his speaker’s salary of $223,500 (wookie here - GASP!), but he will be eligible for a pension in a few years, and has an estimated net worth of slightly more than $6 million (wookie here - LOL $6M at 48 being a politician), according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis of his 2016 financial filings. AshLee (wookie here - WTF is with the L) Strong, a Ryan spokeswoman, didn’t respond to an email seeking comment on her boss’ potential future employment.


These guys (and gals) get to set their own salary. They get to decide their health care. They get a pension. They can legally trade on basically insider trading info due to their positions and committees they might be on. We seriously need less government sooner then later.
4   HeadSet   2018 Apr 12, 9:05am  

These guys (and gals) get to set their own salary.

Since we are a Federal Republic, the members of Congress should be paid by the States that send them.. State legislators should decide on the pay/benefits of those sent to Washington, and pay out of State budget. That would remind them of who they work for.
5   mell   2018 Apr 12, 9:53am  

Goran_K says
Fuck Paul Ryan.

Agreed.
6   georgeliberte   2018 Apr 12, 9:59am  

UpChuck has also been in Government since his 20s. He's never really had a job outside of politics.
Yes, but he is firmly committed to the private sector and will tell you how he is a self-made man who never needed to rely on government handouts.
7   WookieMan   2018 Apr 12, 10:21am  

HeadSet says
These guys (and gals) get to set their own salary.

Since we are a Federal Republic, the members of Congress should be paid by the States that send them.. State legislators should decide on the pay/benefits of those sent to Washington, and pay out of State budget. That would remind them of who they work for.


Never even thought of that. I like that idea a lot, seriously.

Although IL would just pay them $500k in annual salary with the option to retire at 34 with 100% of last years pay being the pension and it can't be overturned without 98% of voters agreeing to a constitutional amendment, that before you vote on it, you're forced to get punched in the face with brass knuckles and have your dog killed. I think that sums up IL.
8   Heraclitusstudent   2018 Apr 12, 10:30am  

There are cops and firefighters that are millionaires.
There are homeowners that have achieved nothing in their lives that are millionaires.
There are actors and athletes that are multi-millionaires.
Some investors that haven't done squat outside buying and selling paper are billionaires.

Why wouldn't a national politician that has been in a key position of power for a long time not be multi-millionaire?
9   WookieMan   2018 Apr 12, 10:36am  

Heraclitusstudent says
Why wouldn't a national politician that has been in a key position of power for a long time not be multi-millionaire?


I don't disagree with this. Him being a multi-millionaire has zero element of surprise to me. I was being sarcastic in my first comment.

He just shouldn't be getting paid by the tax payers. It should be an elected position, but a volunteer position as well based on what we know the people do after their political careers. AND what they can still do while in government.

If you're on some defense committee and are making decisions about an upcoming weapons contract, you can trade the news before it's even news and make shit load of money and it's 100% legal. Give them a flat $25k/yr for travel and accommodations (I know this is low) and call it a day. Won't touch our debt/deficit issues, but I don't understand why they're paid as much as they are given the perks of essentially being able to insider trade.
10   mell   2018 Apr 12, 10:37am  

Heraclitusstudent says
There are cops and firefighters that are millionaires.
There are homeowners that have achieved nothing in their lives that are millionaires.
There are actors and athletes that are multi-millionaires.
Some investors that haven't done squat outside buying and selling paper are billionaires.

Why wouldn't a national politician that has been in a key position of power for a long time not be multi-millionaire?


It's a fair point. I don't like career politicians, setting their own salary. But specifically don't like Ryan ;)
11   HeadSet   2018 Apr 12, 10:43am  

Heraclitusstudent says
There are cops and firefighters that are millionaires.
There are homeowners that have achieved nothing in their lives that are millionaires.
There are actors and athletes that are multi-millionaires.
Some investors that haven't done squat outside buying and selling paper are billionaires.

Why wouldn't a national politician that has been in a key position of power for a long time not be multi-millionaire?


It is not that any profession should be prohibited from becoming millionaires. Anyone who can invest their salary wisely should reap the benefits. But if you are a politician who got rich with no such activity then your wealth came through laundered bribes. Having an entity buy your books or pamphlets in mass, along with high dollar speaking fees to small or no crowds, are forms of laundered bribes.
12   Heraclitusstudent   2018 Apr 12, 10:50am  

HeadSet says
Anyone who can invest their salary wisely should reap the benefits. But if you are a politician who got rich with no such activity then your wealth came through laundered bribes.


What bribes are you talking about?

The guy has been doing one of the most critical jobs in the country. (and this is not a question of agreeing with him)
I think he deserves a salary at least equivalent to a CEO of a fortune 500 company.
13   lostand confused   2018 Apr 12, 10:54am  

So how much in "speaking fee" is he going to charge? I hear you can book Hilary for 25k now !
14   MrMagic   2018 Apr 12, 11:08am  

WookieMan says
If you're on some defense committee and are making decisions about an upcoming weapons contract, you can trade the news before it's even news and make shit load of money and it's 100% legal.


This is how most politicians got to be Millionaires. For a long time, insider trading was all the rage. There was a reason a congressman making $150K a year was a millionaire after his first term. It wasn't from his salary.
15   mell   2018 Apr 12, 11:10am  

Sniper says
WookieMan says
If you're on some defense committee and are making decisions about an upcoming weapons contract, you can trade the news before it's even news and make shit load of money and it's 100% legal.


This is how most politicians got to be Millionaires. For a long time, insider trading was all the rage. There was a reason a congressman making $150K a year was a millionaire after his first term. It wasn't from his salary.


Pelosi made a fortune on illegal (illegal for everyone else) insider trading in health care. To me they are criminals if they use that loophole and should be prosecuted and put into jail.
17   Tenpoundbass   2018 Apr 12, 1:17pm  

How come when they decided in realtime that Congress inside trading was wrong from then on out. While pardoning past transgressions.
The Liberals want to make up adhoc laws in realtime and retrofit the crime to Trump while ignoring all of the other instances from the current and past Crooks.
18   MisdemeanorRebel   2018 Apr 12, 1:28pm  

Folks, the excuse that politicians should have an income 3-4x the median income was ALREADY justified by "Otherwise it will just be the rich, and if we pay them well they won't take bribes."

That's the reason they make 6 figures + all expense paid + cushy retirement.

They don't need more avenues to wealth, they need more control, like no IPOs and all elected officials must place their wealth under professional management at arm's length. Or simply be forbidden to buy individual stocks (ie Index funds, mutual Funds, Bond Funds, or ETFs only - no Amazon, or Facebook)
19   pkennedy   2018 Apr 12, 1:36pm  

I'm betting he isn't retiring, and that he simply doesn't want to be associated with the current round of trump politics. He wants to get out, and then come back as a presidential candidate that left because his party was going the wrong direction and he's there to fix it... Which everyone will eat up, and forget what he's done in the past and how he didn't actually do anything while in one of the most powerful positions.
20   FortWayne   2018 Apr 12, 1:46pm  

If a country was ran by some SJW on minimum wage, who spent all day blaming white people, demanding reparations, taking bribes, do you think that would be better?

I think Paul Ryan is fine.
21   Heraclitusstudent   2018 Apr 12, 1:48pm  

TwoScoopsPlissken says

That's the reason they make 6 figures + all expense paid + cushy retirement.

They don't need more avenues to wealth, they need more control, like no IPOs and all elected officials must place their wealth under professional management at arm's length.


I agree with that. I just object to some people here wanting politicians to get low salaries just because this is "taxpayers money".

The same people see no problem when the CEO of their companies gets a $50 millions package for a few years of work - eating up their own bonuses, as well as shareholders returns - in a wink wink agreement with the board. But they scream because a guy like Ryan ends up a "multi-millionaire" after an entire career.

All part of the cliche that gov sucks - always - but corporations rule.
22   pkennedy   2018 Apr 12, 2:00pm  

Heraclitusstudent says
TwoScoopsPlissken says

That's the reason they make 6 figures + all expense paid + cushy retirement.

They don't need more avenues to wealth, they need more control, like no IPOs and all elected officials must place their wealth under professional management at arm's length.


I agree with that. I just object to some people here wanting politicians to get low salaries just because this is "taxpayers money".

They see no problem when the CEO of their companies gets a $50 millions package for a few years of work - eating up their own bonuses, as well as shareholders returns - in a wink wink agreement with the board. But should they scream because a guy like Ryan ends up a "multi-millionaire" for an entire career.


It's more like people don't like it when politicians are paid $200K and walk away with millions a few years later. That math doesn't work out, unless they've been skimming the cheating the system and the people they're working for. That is what irks people.
23   Heraclitusstudent   2018 Apr 12, 2:51pm  

pkennedy says
It's more like people don't like it when politicians are paid $200K and walk away with millions a few years later. That math doesn't work out, unless they've been skimming the cheating the system and the people they're working for. That is what irks people.


I get that, but what is legal (or at least moral) is ultimately what we agree is fair. So when a CEO skims $50 millions from shareholders in spite of fiduciary duty, is that legal? moral?
How does a national leader getting a million here and there rate in comparison?
24   MrMagic   2018 Apr 12, 2:59pm  

Heraclitusstudent says
The same people see no problem when the CEO of their companies gets a $50 millions package for a few years of work - eating up their own bonuses, as well as shareholders returns - in a wink wink agreement with the board. But they scream because a guy like Ryan ends up a "multi-millionaire" after an entire career.

All part of the cliche that gov sucks - always - but corporations rule.


Except, CEOs can get fired and let go for poor performance.

Politicians who have poor performance get re-elected, over and over and over.......
25   Y   2018 Apr 12, 3:14pm  

So you are saying Trump is a winner!
Welcome Onboard Mr Hey You!!

HEYYOU says
How many Republicans are not millionaires? Just the Losers!
26   mell   2018 Apr 12, 3:25pm  

pkennedy says
I'm betting he isn't retiring, and that he simply doesn't want to be associated with the current round of trump politics. He wants to get out, and then come back as a presidential candidate that left because his party was going the wrong direction and he's there to fix it... Which everyone will eat up, and forget what he's done in the past and how he didn't actually do anything while in one of the most powerful positions.


I don't think this will work out since Trumps presidency so far has been relatively successful and his approval rating is rising. The dissatisfaction was more with mainstream Republicans and Democrats.
27   Heraclitusstudent   2018 Apr 12, 4:39pm  

mell says
I don't think this will work out since Trumps presidency so far has been relatively successful and his approval rating is rising. The dissatisfaction was more with mainstream Republicans and Democrats.

Very few people who have tasted power just give it up and leave.
He surely has a plan to come back and there aren't many position higher up than speaker.
Probably betting dems will win mid terms and Trump will be impeached and thrown in a mental hospital or something.
28   mell   2018 Apr 12, 4:40pm  

Heraclitusstudent says
mell says
I don't think this will work out since Trumps presidency so far has been relatively successful and his approval rating is rising. The dissatisfaction was more with mainstream Republicans and Democrats.

Very few people who have tasted power just give it up and leave.
He surely has a plan to come back. Probably betting dems will win mid terms and Trump will be impeached and thrown in a mental hospital.


Agreed but I think that plan will fail miserably.

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