what would happen if you limited government representatives wages to...

[notig]

to being no more than the average workers salary in the area that they reside.

would this lower pay give us lower quality politicians?

[CoinCube]

You would see an increase in bribes and corruption.

Government representatives control vast sums of money. If they struggle to
survive the temptation to misuse that power in exchange for a financial kickback goes way up.

[notig]

I think there is already plenty of corruption to go around.... and I don't buy that a lower wage would increase corruption . But maybe it would... that's why I have a next question though. My next question is what if you make the financial privacy of public servants 0. If you feel you have a sense of duty enough to be a public servant then wouldn't you be willing to still serve despite this

[hilariousandco]

to being no more than the average workers salary in the area that they reside.

would this lower pay give us lower quality politicians?

No, probably better ones, but 'big' politicians vary rarely get most of their money solely from their government wage. They have other business/corporate interests etc. I'm sure there's some nice bribes too.

[Chef Ramsay]

You'd get a part time legislature. New Hampshire state reps make $100 per year plus mileage and that state govt probably spends less than any other and has less taxes per capita than all but Alaska that doles out oil receipts.

[Spendulus]

You'd get a part time legislature. New Hampshire state reps make $100 per year plus mileage and that state govt probably spends less than any other and has less taxes per capita than all but Alaska that doles out oil receipts.

part time --> less time to dream up schemes of oppression

[mackler]

My next question is what if you make the financial privacy of public servants 0. If you feel you have a sense of duty enough to be a public servant then wouldn't you be willing to still serve despite this

Maybe not? Especially depending on what that means. Every time I buy a coffee I have to report it? Definitely don't want to do it. Think of how many more fat Chris Christie jokes there would be if you got to see his meal by meal break down. It would also mean I could know where he was, track him and kill him if I wanted to and had the resources.