What would it take to build a democracy that works for everyone? Communications strategist Sally Kohn and entrepreneur Jeff Maurer discuss the systems they think need rebuilding — and what people will
no, not necessarily. but they should be limited from profiting from their position. should also be prevented from insider trading and actually prosecuted. they should get nice salary and retirement benefits for public service. they shouldn't get donations, investments, under the table, envelopes, endorsements, any thing of the sort related to or influence from their position.
Compare pubic servants and volunteer firefighters.
One does literally nothing and the profits are virtually unlimited.
The other risks their lives for a payout at the end of the year.
This raw discussion deeply moved me, blending political urgency with unexpected warmth. It powerfully exposes how unchecked wealth erodes our trust, yet watching them dance in the streets restored my faith. It reminds us that empathy and shared hope are what truly keep society intact.
Politicians should be paid and given the same benefits as whoever are working minimum wage and should be majorly taxed on any amount beyond that including unrealized gain if they are allowed to keep trading stocks with the regulations they set in place.
Politicans should be rewarded a handsome bonus if certain measureable achievements are met 5 years and 10 after they worked. This should incentivize both cooperative handover to next party in charge + planning long term. The achievements to be measured should be varied and include health, happiness, environment, economic, crime, education, corruption and so on. But giving a big carrot for doing long term strategic politics seems reasonable. We as society keeps having the wrong incentives and almost always only thinking short term
What if you could have unlimited net work but only a certain power more net worth than bottom 10% of people? (Politician X can be unlimitedly rich but only a certain amount richer than the poorest person.) I’ve always wondered why we can make Porches on a massive scale but we as a society have decided that only a certain class of people have earned them, and being in that class isn’t necessarily merit based.
Interesting question. However I think it needs a much deeper talk about what being rich entails.
How value is both quantified and determined.
Money is the most rudimentary measuring device along with net worth.
What about a CEO that takes $1 income and instead gets paid in company shares? That's a thing or was a thing. Managers can get pieces of the company too.
Is that $10 million dollar property really worth that much?
And if you instead measure net worth, what about taking loans against your company stock so that you're technically not making money and have less value?
Is power and influence money? It can be.
And jumping over the hazy legal line.
What about every illegal gain?
Politician D says he'll make sure Politician R doesn't get elected if R doesn't do what D wants.
The law doesn't matter if nobody pursues it. And, is D richer than R?
No. Wealth limit is just a round-about way to stop corruption. Repeal Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that gives Corporation the "Freedom of Speech" through unlimited political donations. Implement ranked choice voting so our elected officials actually represent the people's interests. Stop politicians from adding special interest legislation to 'must pass' bills.
The idea that "polotician" is a career blows my mind. I was born here in the US, and it never made sense to me that politicians get to make the rules about sectors they have not a clue about. Health care, education, elderly care, child care, etc. policies should be made up by committees of at least 50 percent people who are actually currently working in the sectors. For example, a committee of 20 would have to have 10 teachers out of the 20 who propose the laws for education. Health care reforms should include input from actively practicing health care providers, etc.
"Politician" should not be a lucrative, paid position. Theyshould not be able to vote yes to their own raises, trade in the stock market, or be able to conduct any business that creates a conflict of interest. In fact, I would like to see this position take on a more volunteer-type role.
So yeah, politicians make too much money and are severely out of touch with the rest of America. There are not too many you will find that you can describe as "fair," or that have any morals. I am sure there are outliers, but for the most part, the corruption is rampant in the ranks.
We should be addressing how politicians get their riches first before we argue if they are too rich...
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One does literally nothing and the profits are virtually unlimited.
The other risks their lives for a payout at the end of the year.
How value is both quantified and determined.
Money is the most rudimentary measuring device along with net worth.
What about a CEO that takes $1 income and instead gets paid in company shares? That's a thing or was a thing. Managers can get pieces of the company too.
Is that $10 million dollar property really worth that much?
And if you instead measure net worth, what about taking loans against your company stock so that you're technically not making money and have less value?
Is power and influence money? It can be.
And jumping over the hazy legal line.
What about every illegal gain?
Politician D says he'll make sure Politician R doesn't get elected if R doesn't do what D wants.
The law doesn't matter if nobody pursues it. And, is D richer than R?
"Politician" should not be a lucrative, paid position. Theyshould not be able to vote yes to their own raises, trade in the stock market, or be able to conduct any business that creates a conflict of interest. In fact, I would like to see this position take on a more volunteer-type role.
So yeah, politicians make too much money and are severely out of touch with the rest of America. There are not too many you will find that you can describe as "fair," or that have any morals. I am sure there are outliers, but for the most part, the corruption is rampant in the ranks.