Want proof? Check out the front roll of tonight's (Saturday) World Series game. Who do you find -- you guested it, George W. Bush. Now most of the people in the front row probably paid several thousand dollars for their tickets -- want to guest what Bush paid for his. Nothing. When you're an ex-president you can score the best tickets for any event - World Series, Super Bowl, Final 4, Broadway Plays, you name it, and I guarantee you some one will comp you. Want to travel somewhere, no problem. Corporations will send you their private jet. You have the chance to live out your dreams for free.
To make things even better, they give you a small pension -- currently $191,300 and throw in $20,000 for your wife. You also get a generous expense account. Example, President Clinton's phone bill for 2008 was $79,000. When I am King, I am hoping my subjects will push through a plan for me. Nothing big, just a chance to play golf at Augusta National. I'll be happy.
I'm afraid I know the answer already, but that's not a one time sum is it? They get it every year? It just seems like a silly amount of money to me.
ReplyDeleteHow much to pay elected officials is a hard question. Not enough (such as nothing at all) and you run the risk that only the already wealthy will be able to run for office (though for federal level elections it seems to be pretty close to that anyway). Too much and you get people more interested in money and power than service. Well, that all assumes that we can find anyone that won't be after personal power when they volunteer for public office; I like to think we can and do.
$400,000 a year is not very much for that job even throwing in some great perks. And no, that is an annual sum.
ReplyDeleteHowever I believe George Bush was General Partner of the baseball team at one time, so he probably would have been comped anyway.
To bad he left it.
The above should have made clear that the $400k is while in office, the retirement continues for life. Think it started with Truman.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I know the answer already, but that's not a one time sum is it? They get it every year? It just seems like a silly amount of money to me.
ReplyDeleteHow much to pay elected officials is a hard question. Not enough (such as nothing at all) and you run the risk that only the already wealthy will be able to run for office (though for federal level elections it seems to be pretty close to that anyway). Too much and you get people more interested in money and power than service. Well, that all assumes that we can find anyone that won't be after personal power when they volunteer for public office; I like to think we can and do.
Thank you for shharing this
ReplyDelete