Well, it really depends on one thing; I'm talking about their reason for becoming a congressman. If I were to become a congressman, my reason would be to help Californians express their opinions better. However this is my reason. Different people have millions of other reasons. I think there are three major reasons for becoming a congressman: represent his/her state, power, or money. I don't believe that most people get into Congress for the money.
I believe most people that become congressmen want their state to be heard, and they want to improve it. However not everybody is so good some people are in it purely for power, usually power means money. I do not believe their salaries should be lowered, because if they feel they don't get what they deserve, they might not do their best in the office, they might abuse their privileges, etc. If they don't get paid enough they become more susceptible to taking bribes; this is the first sign of corruption. This might explain the paying less part, however it doesn't say much about raising their salary. I've considered the idea of raising their salary, however after a careful examination of facts, I didn't think raising it would improve much.
As I have mentioned before, people (the Congressmen) don't do it for the money. Basically money isn't their primary concern. What would happen if you say doubled their salaries? People are not perfect, nobody is...
if you pay them a lot more, chances are they might become greedy; when the only thing a person cares about is money, nothing ever gets accomplished. Greed is a terrible "sickness," even though you have a lot of something, in this case money, you want more, and more, and more, this craving never stops. The last thing you'd want is a greedy congressman. It is very likely that a greedy congressman would take bribes, and use his office to make even more profits, any way possible.
A greedy congressman would probably forget his responsibilities, and duties as a congressman; this would only make it worse for that particular state.
What motivates members of Congress to act the way they do? Mayhew would argue in Congress: The Electoral Connection that members of Congress are ‘’single-minded re-election seekers’’ and that re-election is their one and only goal. Whilst the assumption that all members of Congress are ‘‘single-minded re-election seekers’’ does go some distance in analysing the motives behind members of Congress, the reading fails to take into account the other key goals of members of Congress. Other goals include good policy and future career positions. It is important to remember that the achievement of both re-election and other goals are not exclusive, members of Congress often are motivated by more than one goal.
Members of congress have three specific goals. The one that seems to be the most important
Power, Money, Political Party, and Career are four principle factors that influence the way Congress votes. These factors can weigh heavy upon a congress man or woman when choosing what they believe is the right vote. Whether the vote benefits who they are voting on for or if selfish reasons are jeopardizing their vote which has been criticized by many taxing paying citizen who want the money to go into programs, services, and projects to improve the nation. Congress votes should always benefit the country as a whole, not certain people.
Building good will with the people must be accomplished by making the members work with the voters. Congressmen will claim credit for good deeds done in certain districts so that the electors will honor the incumbent’s achievements by reelecting them for office. Mayhew states that the claims must be credible in order for the voters to believe them. Incumbents also take part in casework, such as bringing a “supplier of goods to the home district,” that way more trust is instilled within the congress members. Claims made can be perceived as either trustworthy or not, ultimately it beyond the voters discretion to decide
First of all, the Senate costs lots of money. In general, a senator has a salary of $132,300 per year as well as a Senate expense. The Senate expense can reach $300,000 in maximum but citizens are not allowed to know their expenses as well as spending limits and regulations. The Senators can spend huge amount of money on whatever they want without letting citizens know the products they bought. The Senators receive more money from the average salary by holding different positions. Since there is 105
Giving each voter a specific representative is extremely important. Doing so helps to encourage constituency service by providing voters with an easily identifiable “ombudsman.” Voters feel like they are well represented and can go to their congressman (or whoever their representative may be) with questions and requests, and their representative will understand them because he or she is “one of them.” Having a specific representative also helps people to avoid the worry that they don’t have any say in who governs them. Likewise, more individuals will tend to vote because people are voting for an actual person rather than a group or a party.
There are currently 15 states that have term limits in place for legislators, and among those states, there are seven different versions of term limits (National Conference for State Legislatures, 2009). The differences include the length of time for the limits and whether they are lifetime limits or just consecutive term limits. The difference in the parameters, and the fact that there has been no national reform passed, impacts the effectiveness of the restrictions. For example, consider the fact that congressional privilege and power is often based on seniority. States with current term limits have placed themselves in a weaker position when it comes to power within the legislature...
While Voting Rights legislation had a great impact on changing the composition of Congress, other factors exist as barriers to minority representation in Congress. One of these is the use of single-member districts. Of great debate as to whether it is helping or hindering minority candidates is the establishment of minority districting and the use of racial gerrymandering. The question of constitutionality and these dist...
There have been many perspectives of the Congress, especially whether members of congress should have term limits or not. This issue has been controversial and has been wanted since a very long time, but why? Well to start off the Congress, which is the legislative branch of the federal government, represents the American people and makes the nation's laws. While it only has the only 1/3 the power of the federal government Congress under Article I of the constitution Congress has the power to: make laws, declare war, raise and provide public, impeach and try federal officers, approve presidential appointments, approve treaties negotiated by the executive branch, and oversight investigations. Reasonably the citizens of America would elect members of congress who would do their best to support the needs of America citizens while keeping the country in a stable condition, but Americans trust in Congress has diminished and has brought up the issue of whether Congressmen should have term limits.
I think one of the main reasons why Congress has a poor public image is because its members often times criticize it. Many congressional candidates run on the idea that they are going to get into congress, fix it, and make it work. How is the public supposed to be satisfied with an institution that isn’t even accepted by its own members? I don’t blame the public for having a bad image of the Congress. Most citizens only pay attention to politics with the minimum effort; what they see on TV or what they read on the front page of the paper. Congressmen don’t usually go around praising Congress and even if they did, the media doesn’t find that interesting and will ignore it. Therefore, the people only believe what they are presented.
If you leave one person in congress for too long then they will never change their views and nothing new will ever get done. If there was a three of four term limit then people would work harder to get things done faster and pass bills that benefit the people because they know that they will only get reelected now because of that. With term limits in place, Congress will be more responsible toward their constituents because they will soon be constituents themselves. They...
Congress could raise minimum wages if our economic growth was better. Congress just cannot change minimum wage overnight. This take time and also studies to make sure the United State business can afford to pay more. But also now that minimum wages is only $7.25. Now, somehow the President and Congress think that a low-income family can live off less than $15,080 a year in 2012, according to David and Doug. Minimum wages did not fall pass the poverty line till about 1980. But also the value of a dollar was worth way more back then. During are economic growth has expanded, in which it means more people, and not enough job...
In conclusion, Congressional representatives should be limited to serving two terms. Limiting the terms of career politicians will promote fresh ideas and reduce the possibility of decisions being made for self-interest. It is in our Country’s best interest that our legislator’s decisions are equitable and that compromises are not made to ensure their own or their parties stay in office.
representatives will do what we want, and if they don't give us a couple of
...r salaries are too high to compare. They do entertain the public, but the expense for the entertainment is too steep. Athletes should make a decent salary, but they should have control over their limits. They deserve a salary that would compare to other officials who are more important to the people and that have a role which effects the people as a whole. Something must be done before a drastic change occurs.