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Moostache

(9,895 posts)
Thu Aug 22, 2019, 01:32 PM Aug 2019

How to "fix" America in one move...

I have thought about dozens of things that could make America functional again as a governing concept...things like term limits, public funding of elections, public funded healthcare options, etc....but one thing can make it all moot over night.

A requirement that the Congress - House AND Senate - operate under a wealth cap - similar to the idea of a salary cap in sports terms, but in this case an overall Congressional mandate to reflect the distribution of wealth in the country through the make up of the Congress.

The chances of this happening? Absolutely ZERO...the power structure of this country would NEVER allow themselves to be removed from power in such a drastic and immediate way...but if the required congress had only 5% or fewer millionaires, there would be a whole new outlook on EVREYTHING the next day...

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Meadowoak

(5,517 posts)
1. Yep, I agree 100 % those that represent us should not be worth
Thu Aug 22, 2019, 01:55 PM
Aug 2019

$1 more than the average for the district they represent. They need to live in the same world as their constituents and understand the problems we all face each day.

Amishman

(5,540 posts)
3. Would be even hard to enforce than a wealth tax
Thu Aug 22, 2019, 02:58 PM
Aug 2019

Far too easy to shield assets through trusts, overseas shell corporations, and a million other routes.

 

AncientGeezer

(2,146 posts)
5. The House has a payroll of about $75.6mil...For the elected members
Thu Aug 22, 2019, 06:19 PM
Aug 2019

The Senate..very close to the $174k/yr...x50....$8.7mil...total $84ish mil

The Red Sox annual salary for 31 rostered players...$236+mil....Yankees $203+Mil

No...we don't want that

Moostache

(9,895 posts)
6. I agree...which is why it would have to be based on net worth instead of pay...
Thu Aug 22, 2019, 08:51 PM
Aug 2019

The percentage of millionaires in Congress is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too high. It would be nigh impossible to implement, but getting the rich out of the Congress (or at least reapportioning them to match the populace) is a great start

 

AncientGeezer

(2,146 posts)
7. Speaker Pelosi is a multi millionaire
Thu Aug 22, 2019, 09:02 PM
Aug 2019

Sen. Sanders and Warren....not broke...millionaires.
How many Democratic members of Congress do you want excised?

Moostache

(9,895 posts)
8. It is an idea, not a purge...
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 09:30 AM
Aug 2019

The problem is even though you cite good examples of people with progressive values and empathetic hearts, they do NOT know the reality of people getting by on 3 temporary jobs or trying to raise a family on $10 an hour. If you play the 'what about this' game with ANY idea, you'll find reasons to stay in the status quo...that is NOT working for too many people to be the default position forever.

I don't have all the answers (or I would be 'the chosen one'), but I do know we are heading down a path that is taking away the rights of the people and giving them to the fascists at an alarming rate. SOMETHING has to change, and soon...

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