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While the presidential candidates are out on the campaign trail banging the drum they are also collecting salary and benefits for the job they were voted in to do. Yet theyre not there to do that job because theyre campaigning.

How does this sit with you ?

John McCain leads the pack with 261 votes missed. 55.7%

Barack Obama comes in next with 182 missed votes at 38.8%

Hillary Clinton absent for 127 votes for a 27.1 rating.



The only other candidate thats missed more votes than McCain is Tim Johnson (311-66.3%) a Democrat from South Dakota.

Hes MIA because he had a brain hemorrhage.

Emmm, well no, I think its kinda a tough job having to be a US primary candidate for either party and you might not even win after all that effort so you could be a bit understanding in those circumstances, no?

Galbally;783452 wrote: Emmm, well no, I think its kinda a tough job having to be a US primary candidate for either party and you might not even win after all that effort so you could be a bit understanding in those circumstances, no?


Personally I think salaries should be suspended if a candidate is unable to do the job they were hired to do, which is represent all the peoples of the state they represent.

They draw a nice salary and their attention should be focused.

If they have to do double duty to run for another office it should be on their own time.

If I were seeking another job Id be hard pressed to convince my employer to pay me while I run around town putting applications in.

Congressmen and Senators shouldnt be any different. Theyre not an elite breed. They should be tireless workhorses for this country considering most of the mess were in is because of them.

Nope, Im not understanding at all.

NOMAD for president:-6:-6

vote now.....he will be cheap to run:wah::wah:

Okay, so I didn't vote, but I do agree. They should do the job they're paid to do.

It's our system that's screwed up. They should have the primaries just a few months before the election... maybe set it up like the playoffs.

Before I cast my vote in this poll, I'd like to know how important these votes are... if they are votes on making may 5th national sautéed turnips day... i don't think i care quite as much as i might if it is a vote on a veggie i do care for...

do we know who showed up to vote to give me my tax rebate and who couldn't be bothered to help improve my economy?:sneaky:

Nomad

I'm so with you on this

Quite the system wouldn't you say. The Rich get RICHER...

Patsy

They are now embroiled in a popularity contest. The most popular gets to be our President. The participation in this contest surpasses the present responsibilties they have in our government. I agree they should not be paid while they are in this contest.

Nomad;783458 wrote: Personally I think salaries should be suspended if a candidate is unable to do the job they were hired to do, which is represent all the peoples of the state they represent.

They draw a nice salary and their attention should be focused.

If they have to do double duty to run for another office it should be on their own time.

If I were seeking another job Id be hard pressed to convince my employer to pay me while I run around town putting applications in.

Congressmen and Senators shouldnt be any different. Theyre not an elite breed. They should be tireless workhorses for this country considering most of the mess were in is because of them.

Nope, Im not understanding at all.


Given your position I presume that you advocate a pay per vote system where the representatives salaries depend only on the number of votes they've cast.

Given the system your country has chosen to use in selecting its leader they have little option in absenting themselves from Capitol Hill for the duration.

If you insist that they receive no pay during that period then I'm sure it is small fry compared to the cost of campaigning.

I think all of Congress should be required to run for President. There'd be at least one year out of four that they're not screwing things up. :guitarist

Here, here Nomie I don't get paid unless I show up why should it be any different for them. :-5



[QUOTE]Personally I think salaries should be suspended if a candidate is unable to do the job they were hired to do, which is represent all the peoples of the state they represent.

They draw a nice salary and their attention should be focused.

If they have to do double duty to run for another office it should be on their own time.

If I were seeking another job Id be hard pressed to convince my employer to pay me while I run around town putting applications in.

Congressmen and Senators shouldnt be any different. Theyre not an elite breed. They should be tireless workhorses for this country considering most of the mess were in is because of them.

Nope, Im not understanding at all.[/QUOTE]

Bryn Mawr;784213 wrote: Given your position I presume that you advocate a pay per vote system where the representatives salaries depend only on the number of votes they've cast.



Given the system your country has chosen to use in selecting its leader they have little option in absenting themselves from Capitol Hill for the duration.



If you insist that they receive no pay during that period then I'm sure it is small fry compared to the cost of campaigning.


I advocate showing up for the job they were elected to do.

The candidates have been on the campaign trail for a full year now with with another 9 months to go before election.

Both Clinton and Obama claim to be raising $1,000,000.00 a day through the internet so the cost of campaigning should be a non isuue, in fact the issues are quite seperate.

The ones that wish to occupy this office should be above reproach and if theyre not available for their duties their pay should be suspended until duties can be resumed.

Granted many of the votes are of no consequence but there have been critical votes McCain has missed concerning Iraq and Afghanistan.

The taxpayers should get full value for their dollar.

rjwould;785886 wrote: But again, it really only matters if the vote would make a difference and swing an issue.



The majority of votes in congress are "gotcha votes", and are useless anyway. It's a device to criticize an opponent during debates and elections...This is probably it for John McCain....If he loses the presidential election, he will probably retire when his current senate tenure expires...




Try telling your boss you wont be in for work because you have other things to do, but keep the checks coming.

Explain the difference please.

rjwould;785915 wrote: They are working...They are also available for whatever is needed in congress....These people are worn out from a political campaigns...



Look, you have a legitimate complaint, but the consequences of them being put on leave of absence could be far worse, besides, they would most likely get paid for the leave anyway if they had been smart enough to save the time...



The other point is, you cannot IMO fairly equate a blue collar job or even a corporate hack with a politically elected official...The responsibilities are far different...




The responsibilities are far too great to be shirked.

I rest my case.

Nomad;785875 wrote: I advocate showing up for the job they were elected to do.

The candidates have been on the campaign trail for a full year now with with another 9 months to go before election.

Both Clinton and Obama claim to be raising $1,000,000.00 a day through the internet so the cost of campaigning should be a non isuue, in fact the issues are quite seperate.

The ones that wish to occupy this office should be above reproach and if theyre not available for their duties their pay should be suspended until duties can be resumed.

Granted many of the votes are of no consequence but there have been critical votes McCain has missed concerning Iraq and Afghanistan.

The taxpayers should get full value for their dollar.


Don't get me wrong, I fully agree with you - if I were an American I would be calling for a change in the system too. As I see it, it is the system used to choose the President that is the root cause of the lack of dedication to the job and the incredible expense of the campaign.