Usdk wrote:
If the people in government really gave a shit about the government, they'd be voting in paycuts to themselves to prove how important this really is.
At LEAST as a goodwill gesture.
When you say "in government" who do you mean? Congressmen?
They already get paid almost nothing compared to almost anyone who's anyone in private industry - about 200k a year. CEOs/financiers/accountants/corporate attorneys get paid seven or eight-digit figures. Then you consider that congressmen have much less take-home pay because they have stronger conflict of interest laws requiring them to pay for much more out of pocket than those who work in private industry. For example, it's legal for someone in private industry to get bought lunch; for a congressman, it's a conflict of interest. Same for hotel rooms, housing, etc.
Some congressmen are personally wealthy; others are not. If Congress did what you said, it would slant government even more strongly in favor of the rich because they would be able to continue supporting themselves outside their government paycheck. Wealthy congressmen would be under no more pressure at all, while less wealthy ones - who are more likely to be well-intentioned individuals of humble background - would be the only ones pressured to reach a settlement. It would be a wholly unequal - and typically American - approach.
What you're describing is the kind of BS that sounds cool on headlines but in reality does nothing to change the situation. It wouldn't create a sense of urgency, it would only strengthen the hand of wealthy interests and encourage corruption.