Politicians

The problem with Congress is that there are simply too many politicians in Politics.  In a representative form of Government, how can a population that is composed of people with such diverse careers as mechanics, waitresses, carpenters and electricians be truly represented by Lawyers and career politicians.  There are 435 members of the House and according to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service 168 of them have a law degree.  Would anything ever get accomplished if 39% of your co-workers were lawyers?  I would guess that most large law firms don't even have a percentage of attorneys that high. According to TIME magazine there is 1 lawyer for every 300 Americans or .3%.  That means that you are 120 times more likely to meet a lawyer in congress than in line at the grocery store.  Is that true representation?  I agree that we need lawyers to represent us in court, but contend that attorneys do not represent me in Congress. 

Why do lawyers get elected at such a disproportionate number compared to other professions? Could it be that they are smarter than the rest of us? I don't think that could be the answer or we would have more Doctors and physicist. Consider that only 3% of the members of MENSA are lawyers while 13% of mensans are self employed. Maybe it is because people who have an ambition of being in power know that the easiest way into politics is through law school.  I would remind you that the power bestowed upon a politician was given to them by you. 

What lures a person into politics?  Consider money. Do you realize that the pay for a congressperson is in excess of $170,000.00.  The argument is made that the job requires financial reward in order to encourage good people to seek office.  This argument simply does not hold water. I understand the argument that serving in Congress should not be financially devastating or only the rich would serve. 

Why can't we base congressional salary on prior earnings? Maybe an average of your earned income as reported on your tax return for the five years prior to your election plus 10% to help defray the additional cost associated with your new job. 

Some will say "What about the additional cost associated with maintaining two homes".  My response is that if barracks are good enough for the Marines they are good enough for a Congressman  

"One useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three is a Congress." -- John Adams

 

 "The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite." -- Thomas Jefferson