Re:The mystery of India’s deadly exam scam
by astine on Friday December 18, 2015 @10:42AM
(#10758991)
McAuliffe was as DRC financier before he became a politician himself. He ran for governor for the prestige of the office rather than the money so it's not likely he'd risk the embarrassment a bribe could bring. Someone independently wealthy doesn't have much use for direct bribes (it still happens, but rarely).
Re:The mystery of India’s deadly exam scam
by seunosewa on Friday December 18, 2015 @10:59AM
(#10759079)
In a corrupt system, being independently wealthy just means you require larger bribes. Corrupt officials dont demand bribes corrupt because they absolutely need the money, but because they want it and can get away with it.
Re:The mystery of India’s deadly exam scam
by Shivetya on Friday December 18, 2015 @10:30AM
(#10758917)
Sorry, the idea of comparing their salaries to what they could supposedly earn outside of government is just wrong. First not all of may have had substantial jobs or education prior to running for office. Lastly, most of them become quite well off after leaving office from speaking fees if not retirement.
They are excessively paid relative to the average American and their salaries should be curtailed to that of average American's so there might be some incentive to improving that. People bemoan golden parachutes of some executives in the private world but would be aghast if they learned just how overpaid many state elected and appointed officials are and some even double dip.
Political office should be service, not a damn lottery winning
Re:The mystery of India’s deadly exam scam
by astine on Friday December 18, 2015 @10:48AM
(#10759020)
The practical outcome of that policy would be to lock out anyone below a certain income bracket from political office. Living as a politician can be expensive and lots of people will find it beyond their means. There is a reason it's forbidden for congressmen to forgo their salaries.
Re:The mystery of India’s deadly exam scam
by eitally on Friday December 18, 2015 @11:05AM
(#10759115)
At the congressional & gubernatorial level (and even the mayors of big metros), you're just wrong.
https://ballotpedia.org/Net_worth_of_United_States_Senators_...
Congressmen earn $174,000. That's not a huge amount for a group that largely consists of successful lawyers, with a smattering of doctors and other businessmen. Many of them are millionaires before they take office.
The governor of my state (Virginia) is paid $175,000. Again, pretty good money. But, the current governor, Terry McAuliffe, was a successful banker and real estate developer prior to entering politics.
And, as noted in a sibling comment, the real problem isn't corrupt politicians. Corrupt bureaucrats are a much worse problem for an average citizen's day to day life. And those bureaucrats are not paid anywhere near as well as the politicians.