AOC

[twocoach]

One could easily live in DC on 80K a year. How? You get a 1 bedroom apartment and don't live beyond your means.

Good grief. A US Rep cannot just live in whatever random apartment building they find that they like. There are massive security concerns with that.

Come on. I get the point you're trying to make but seriously....

[Geezer]

Just another subject that Illy knows little or nothing about.

[Deleted User 104]

DC is a dangerous city in most areas as it is. Perhaps the solution would be opening a dorm where we can provide housing to all the overpaid representatives. Keep them all in the same place and save resources.

[HouseDivided]

DC is a dangerous city in most areas as it is. Perhaps the solution would be opening a dorm where we can provide housing to all the overpaid representatives. Keep them all in the same place and save resources.

I agree. It would weed out the poseurs and those who are trying to benefit financially and bring in those who genuinely want to serve. Closer to the way the Founding Fathers did it.

[TDub]

DC is a really expensive environment, but I think their salary should be lowered to 80,000 per year. That would give them enough to survive and be comfortable.

Also, would AOC ever find a job in the free market that pays 174,000 per year? Not a chance.

Feral and 2coach beat me to it on the $80,000 thought.
My question is why do you feel there is no chance AOC could find a job making $174,000?
I disagree with that statement.
I'm not saying I feel it would be easy, what I am saying is I feel there is a chance she could.

The only people even worried about it are those inferring that she should just STFU and be grateful for the opportunity that she has right now.

Which is absurd.

Actually this wholly irrelevant discussion about her salary was started by your friend Seahawk.

[Deleted User 295]

One could easily live in DC on 80K a year. How? You get a 1 bedroom apartment and don't live beyond your means.

Good grief. A US Rep cannot just live in whatever random apartment building they find that they like. There are massive security concerns with that.

Come on. I get the point you're trying to make but seriously....

They're normal citizens. They're not a special class of individuals.

If they need housing provided for security then we should provide them housing...the fact we don't leads me to believe that their security isn't at risk depending on where they choose to live. As far as I know there aren't restrictions on where they are required to live, correct?

[Shirley]

Seahawk raised the subject in response to lobster and Psych posting this crap:

Funny

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: 'No One Ever Makes a Billion Dollars. You Take a Billion Dollars.'

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/aoc-b ... -interview

So young, so dumb, so obnoxious. Let’s put her in Congress!

Why do y'all keep insisting that she's not smart? How many of you got out of college, took some dumb job, worked for an old, decrepit guy's campaign and figured out that you could get yourself an elected office if you played along with this old coot to help create an image that he had this special appeal to youth? Then got his people to give you a well-paying job and suggested that you could be even more helpful if you were an actual congress critter.

So you found a district you once lived in, got the old coot's campaign to put up the money and staff to get you elected and Bingo Bango, you're in a job that pays you $174,000 a year plus benefits, you're in a safely blue district and you're ON TV! All the time!! At 29 years old.

Yeah, that is some dumb young woman.

[Deleted User 104]

One could easily live in DC on 80K a year. How? You get a 1 bedroom apartment and don't live beyond your means.

Good grief. A US Rep cannot just live in whatever random apartment building they find that they like. There are massive security concerns with that.

Come on. I get the point you're trying to make but seriously....

They're normal citizens. They're not a special class of individuals.

If they need housing provided for security then we should provide them housing...the fact we don't leads me to believe that their security isn't at risk depending on where they choose to live. As far as I know there aren't restrictions on where they are required to live, correct?

Well, I do agree with twocoach that there are increased dangers. It shouldn't be this way, but it is. That's why I suggested the dorm.

[Deleted User 295]

Good grief. A US Rep cannot just live in whatever random apartment building they find that they like. There are massive security concerns with that.

Come on. I get the point you're trying to make but seriously....

They're normal citizens. They're not a special class of individuals.

If they need housing provided for security then we should provide them housing...the fact we don't leads me to believe that their security isn't at risk depending on where they choose to live. As far as I know there aren't restrictions on where they are required to live, correct?

Well, I do agree with twocoach that there are increased dangers. It shouldn't be this way, but it is. That's why I suggested the dorm.

Increased dangers for sure. Comes with the job.

Never hear about cops needing to be over paid for security concerns that mean they need to live in expensive neighborhoods. Both public servants (in theory).

[Deleted User 289]

Gutter, it's funny you think I am interested in trying to convince you of anything.

Funny you think anyone takes you seriously half the time you post.

You followed up the above post by saying,
"One could easily live in DC on 80K a year. How? You get a 1 bedroom apartment and don't live beyond your means".
BINGO! The key word being "ONE".
ONE person could probably get by nicely on $80,000 a year in DC but I'm going to ask you - How many Representatives have spouses AND children? Are the kids going to sleep in their bedroom with them?
Now back to ONE person living on an $80,000 a year salary.
What do you think your taxes would be on $80,000? About $18,000? Now you're down to $62,000.
I figure the average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in DC near Capitol Hill is around $2500 a month. That's $30,000 a year.
Food, clothing, necessities, etc. what's that going to cost you in DC for a year?
Are you going to travel for pleasure? Do you own a car? What other expenses do you have?
Again, $80,000 is a nice salary for a single person and yes, they can "get by nicely" in DC but I don't think it's as great as you make it seem to be.
As I stated, most Reps have a spouse and children. Often MAJOR costs involved - including college.
I don't think $80,000 is all that much for a CONGRESPERSON and their FAMILY to live on in DC when all is said and done.
That's just my opinion. Take it or leave it.

[Deleted User 295]

Can't their spouse work too?

[Deleted User 104]

There are thousands of people struggling to pay their bills in DC, including many families. I don't see anything wrong with having our reps go through the same struggles. 80K is actually a pretty damn good salary in DC. Most people are making half that and living with roommates. Another thing to know is that you do not need a car in DC. It's one of the best cities to live in if you don't own one. That will save you at least a thousand or more on insurance, plus car payment if you hadn't paid off your vehicle.

[HouseDivided]

There are thousands of people struggling to pay their bills in DC, including many families. I don't see anything wrong with having our reps go through the same struggles. 80K is actually a pretty damn good salary in DC. Most people are making half that and living with roommates. Another thing to know is that you do not need a car in DC. It's one of the best cities to live in if you don't own one. That will save you at least a thousand or more on insurance, plus car payment if you hadn't paid off your vehicle.

C'mon, Lobs, generational geniuses like The Waitress need to be properly compensated for sharing their rare gift with us common folk!

[zsn]

Well, I do agree with twocoach that there are increased dangers. It shouldn't be this way, but it is. That's why I suggested the dorm.

I don't remember all the details (and may be confusing some details with another scandal) but wasn't there some Church group or another "renting" rooms to GOP congressmen (yes, men only) for some insanely cheap amount - like $50/mo? This was the place where one Senator (I think Ensign from Nevada) was....er.....schtupping his campaign manager's wife and his "roommate" who was another GOP Senator from another state covered up for Ensign for a long time?

As I recall, neither the Church group nor this other Senator suffered any consequences. So, when you suggest dorms we should think of all the consequences. But I do like the idea of having tax-payer funded secure apartment buildings where congresspeople can "rent" places.

[Deleted User 289]

Can't their spouse work too?

Not sure what answer you’re looking for but my response is yes. Or maybe it should be no? You tell me.

[ousdahl]

why not make lawmakers live in DC’s basement?

[Deleted User 289]

There are thousands of people struggling to pay their bills in DC, including many families. I don't see anything wrong with having our reps go through the same struggles. 80K is actually a pretty damn good salary in DC. Most people are making half that and living with roommates. Another thing to know is that you do not need a car in DC. It's one of the best cities to live in if you don't own one. That will save you at least a thousand or more on insurance, plus car payment if you hadn't paid off your vehicle.

Please be honest, you really don’t have a fucking clue in regards to getting around the DC metro area with or without a car - do you?

[HouseDivided]

why not make lawmakers live in DC’s basement?

That settles it. You have my vote for POTUS.

[Deleted User 104]

There are thousands of people struggling to pay their bills in DC, including many families. I don't see anything wrong with having our reps go through the same struggles. 80K is actually a pretty damn good salary in DC. Most people are making half that and living with roommates. Another thing to know is that you do not need a car in DC. It's one of the best cities to live in if you don't own one. That will save you at least a thousand or more on insurance, plus car payment if you hadn't paid off your vehicle.

Please be honest, you really don’t have a fucking clue in regards to getting around the DC metro area with or without a car - do you?

I've lived in Nova and worked in DC. Have you?

[Deleted User 295]

Can't their spouse work too?

Not sure what answer you’re looking for but my response is yes. Or maybe it should be no? You tell me.

I just meant in the context of "they need enough to support a family", especially in somewhere like DC......

.....but at the same time, don't teachers need that to?...and they certainly don't earn enough to do that.

Just my thoughts. I think they both deserve a livable wage....I don't think 1 should earn enough to be in the top 8-10% of earners, while the other is significantly lower.