SHOULD M Ps ( members of parliament)  GET PAID ? If they are realy concerned about this country?
601964
If MPs were not paid they would either need independent means or have second jobs.\n\nThose independent means could hardly be expected to represent the vast majority of UK citizens who have to work to live.\n\nThe second jobs would mean there was huge potential for conflict of interest. Companies like say the tobacco industry could employ MPs in the expectation they would be sympathetic to their needs.\n\nThere would an increased probability that MPs got into financial difficulties (remember you can't be bankrupt and an MP), so there is increased potential for bribery and blackmail.\n\nNo, it's best to pay MPs. Perhaps even pay them a bit more and bar them from holding any outside interest (eg company directorships, consultancy work etc.) while sitting as an MP.
512123
If you filled out an employment application with as many lies as the politicians tell while campaigning for office, you would either never be hired or you would be fired immediately after they do you background checks.  Secondly, look up the congressional record and see just how much time the politicians work.  It is horrendous how many never vote on legislation or seldom vote.  If you and I missed that amount of time from work. Again the hatchet would fall.  However, when you are paid wheather you come to work or not why work?  I think this is an example of "class welfare".  The reason I call it class welfare is that they have created a system where the politicians are in a class where they receive very high compensation for not working.  As far as them listening to the "people", they think they are the people.  When is the last time you heard one say, "I supported or did not support this legislation because due to the feelings of my constiuents"?  No it is "I" feel so on and so forth. "I" think, "My" opinion.  TERM LIMITS is the answer.  After all congress saw fit to limit the term of the presidency to two elected terms.  Why should congress be above the standards they set for the president.  At least we could get rid of Ted Kennedy, Old Byrd from West Virginia and the rest of that bag of professional politicians.  They are so quick to use the term "our founding fathers".  Well our founding fathers never invisioned a system of permanent/professional politicians.  Most of them were farmers and planters and did their "public service" between planting and harvesting times. And I might add,  with very little compensation for their efforts.  These Bas----- have a strangle hold on our society and we had better take it back or we are done as a free society.
959879
I applaud you.\n\nYou have just said exactly what I feel. We can't do anything about it because the people of this country would rather beleive the endless drivel of lies that comes out of a certain PM's mouth than look around, see with their own two eyes  and vote accordingly. The blatant waste of taxpayers money on perks for MPs alone could go a long way to combating true poverty for the poorest families in the u.k. In this day and age we should not have a single child in the U.K go hungry or without a roof over it's head before money is dished out to 'whereveristan' for whatever project the dictator of that country claims it needs the cash for....... it really makes my blood boil.
925225
Bad for our country.  They may earn $5 an hour, under the table, and suck thousands in welfare and free medical care.
977790
It should be above bare subsistence, and then indexed to inflation. Then politicians would not have to seek increases every few years, and it would not matter which party was in power; people in covered jobs would have a living wage.
1136655
only if they complain about their wages
1182430
I agree that it should be.\n\nBut the voters have to vote for the right candidates for this.\n\nThe last couple of years (and I don't mean just presidential elections) the people have been voting for candidates that are unconcerned about this issue.\n\nMake a difference by voting for a candidate that finds the significance in raising the minimum wage.
84932
Yes, I think you should be upset!\nIf someone is getting back more than they pay in... WE have to pay more than we should. \nThat certainly pi$$es me off!!! I'm not responsible for their 9 kids, or their low paying job, so why do I have to pay more??\nIt's just like illegal alliens collecting welfare....NOT RIGHT!
970019
LOL - if it's not, it d**n well should be:))\n\n20 years ago I would.ve suggested it applies only to a slither of Tory MP's, but nowadays I reckon it applies to ALL of 'em.\n\nThanks for that, much appreciated - and I too am gonna try and slip it in here and there.
182562
Absolutely not. We the American people are the ones that voted them in and we are the ones that should say how much they make and when or if they should ever have a pay raise. They are employed by us and in every other business the boss decides who gets a raise and who doesn't. Put the vote to the people and see how much money we could save on the incredible, ridiculous salaries and benefits these politicians get. I am a registered voter and I do exercise my right to vote each and every time an election comes around.
1126488
i wonder y do the govt. pays them that too! for 50 people job there r 200 ppl working. how can u imagine the govt paying them like pvt. sector!
832668
My answer is very simple.....\n\nWill the do-gooders in this country take a leaf out of decent people's book and go away politely.\n\nI am tried of criminals being paid compensation for things they were jailed for, whereas myself was stabbed by a drugged up prat who then stabbed with a syringe leaving on tender hooks for the next 10-12 weeks whilst tests are carried out..\n\nI can't get compensation, I can't get help to pay my medication, I couldn't even get a sick note of my doctor and now 4 weeks later, I am still suffering with the nightmares, sleeplessness and worry whether I have got HIV and Hep B.
13502
Its all about money; it seems to solve all the problems (and lets face it, it does). We'll have to attack the top layer itself, not just the lower levels. We have to reform the houses of the parliament if we want to set a precedent. How, i dont know. Will take some more thinking.
1051559
The Queen gives the benefit of her estate to the government of Britain which is far in excess of the Civil List which is the money she gets each year.\n\nWhilst there are problems with the monarchy such as the Queen managers to get an opt out of most law and therefore her staff are not protected to the same extent as the law provides for other people.  I also understand the wages paid are much lower than that paid to people in similar jobs elsewhere.\n\nBut and it is a big BUT, who or what would you replace the monarchy with.   There is hardly a politician out there who has not been tainted in some way.\n\nLook at the problems created with the American Presidency and Congress that actually prevents and severly delays needed legislation.   The bill to pay Government employees  has been delayed so severely a number of times in recent years that staff have been flown back to the States from American bases and embassies abroad.\n\nIt also seems significant that European countries that retain a monarchy appear much safer, laid back and sensible.\n\nI think there few people of any political persuasion that would fancy Tony Blair as a president or any other parties politicians so where does that leave this question?
25945
They need to get the job done.  On a holiday they may be getting paid quite a bit more and are voluntary.
298583
If it is applied fair and accross the board, however I feel the very rich would have loopholes and get out of paying their 10% just like they do now, The middle class would be the ones to shoulder the weight of supporting the country. I also feel the people working for minimum wage should have to pay little or nothing into this.
537679
They should dock their pay.