What do you think?

in Alabama for a while. She worked as a waitress. Where she worked, patrons would come in and put the tip out that they thought she would earn, before they even ordered. As the meal progressed, money would either be added or subtracted based on the patron's perceptions of how service was being rendered.

Congress and civil service should be treated in the same manner. There should be a very minimal stipend that MAY be supplemented IF the voters think it is warranted. Absolutely NO/NONE/NIL way that they could ever vote themselves a pay raise.

They's either work their tails off, efficiently or they'd be looking for the way home. Guarrantee there wouldn't be any career politicians left.

That's exactly my thoughts also. Get those career politicians out and keep the hard working ones in. I'd wonder if it be more of a motivational tool to add some creativity and common sense to our leaders. Thanks for your comment.

need to do something to earn a paycheck that is in line with what they actually DO. That means that most of them owe us hundreds of thousands of dollars they've gotten but certainly haven't "earned". Our representatives are way too big for their britches and we need to take them down a peg or two. Salaries are a good place to start.

Good thinking, Eric.

Yeah. It'd be easy to spend other people's money, and our current administration is very good at that. I wonder how much of the money that Obama used on his personal dates and "field" trips that could have been used in better places. Thanks for your comment.

I think in tough economic times, they should all have their salary cut to $1.00 and get rid of the perks and expense accounts.

It is hard to believe they actually make money. They don't read bills, they are not really doing anything, but living off our tax dollars.

In 2007, when Congress was falling. Thank you in part to Pelosi, our family went to the annual Christmas charity they we go to. The guest speaker was Loretta Sanchez. She came an hour late, which set everything back. Way to go Loretta. Then she gets up to the stage and says, "I know you people think we do nothing, but we are working so hard!" WTH! Now I am sure who picked this woman. Because there was a lot of old money in this room and they were not chanting democrat. Anyway, last year, we did not go, just donated the money.

She was out of line and made it into some political thing and it was not for her. Ugh!

Legislate the “career” out of career politician. And repeal the 17th amendment to give more power BACK to the states, where originally intended.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/0 2/20/AR2009022003034.html

Amazing when something good can be subjected to political agenda. They are certainly good at spending others money, while failing in the political department. If only we could reverse those trends.

Wow. I have not heard about that, but after reading the article George Will makes an extremely good point at the end. They do have much to apologize for. Thanks for the article.

I am down with this...lol...and Sue would you not expect a selfish pol to promote themselves at a charity..lol

It would be interesting, huh!

I don't think pols understand the backlash that is coming. There are real signs of change in the air and it's the kind of change you can really believe in. The questions is how much damage can be done in 2 years? We shall see.

As far as politicians go, I think we may have a "change" from those idiots that are currently elected, which I hope. Most of polls are something I ignore. Pray the Tea parties gave an awakening to the uninformed who won't vote the same idiots in power.

With secure communications available, the time has come to do away with DC as the center of government. This will cut the throat of lobbyists and make Elected Officials watch their P’s and Q’s as they WILL be scrutinized on a DAILY basis by their constituents. Also in this era of BIG STRIKE terrorism, it makes more sense to have our Elected Officials scattered. Rather than have them lined up like ducks in a shooting gallery.

Good points. With a weak leader at the helm, no doubt the terrorists want to capitalize on this and strike.

Well now that's an interesting idea. I would have never thought of commision pay. Can we do an inverse-pay scale? The more they spend the less they get!

Good post, Eric!

The thought just donned on me not to long ago. I like the inverse pay scale idea as well! If that were in effect they'd have less pay this year than most 16 year old grocery workers!

I think the middle is starting to wake up. Maybe the opposition can take over in 2010. It's up to us to see who that opposition is, and what they stand for.

If they got paid based on perfomance, who would they give ALL of their money to? They would be in debt for the rest of their lives...

I hope so. Let's hope they aren't liberal lites like McCain.

Good point. Maybe they'd spend it on mistresses and medicine, specifically Viagra.

Laundered? Haha! How about paying them a dollar a year? Work by video conference? Force them to submit expense reports like corporations do for travel. Better yet, why can`t we just govern ourselves? Great photo and another good post by you, Eric!

Thanks. We honestly could govern better than those on the hill!

Well done.

Just an idea!