Comments on: Should the President Be Paid? http://joekraynak.com/politics/should-the-president-be-paid.html Freelance Writer Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:54:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: STAN G http://joekraynak.com/politics/should-the-president-be-paid.html/comment-page-1#comment-2202 STAN G Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:28:27 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/?p=132#comment-2202 I BELIEVE THAT THE SALARY AND BENEFITS ARE JUST RIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT THE SALARY AND BENEFITS ARE JUST RIGHT.

]]> By: Nick http://joekraynak.com/politics/should-the-president-be-paid.html/comment-page-1#comment-2194 Nick Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:01:45 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/?p=132#comment-2194 If that "scoff" comment was directed towards me, let me make one thing clear. When it comes to payment for services or work done, I am about as communist as they come. I believe that nobody should want for anything and that the existence of a society where some make millions of dollars a year while others starve to death and can't afford healthcare is an atrocity. As an actor I have vowed that if and when I hit it big, I will keep only enough money to live comfortably, buy a modest house, some entertainment equipment, and a decent car, and the rest of my money is going towards charitable investments. Because you're right...it's ridiculous how much *some* entertainers are paid in this world. If that “scoff” comment was directed towards me, let me make one thing clear. When it comes to payment for services or work done, I am about as communist as they come. I believe that nobody should want for anything and that the existence of a society where some make millions of dollars a year while others starve to death and can’t afford healthcare is an atrocity. As an actor I have vowed that if and when I hit it big, I will keep only enough money to live comfortably, buy a modest house, some entertainment equipment, and a decent car, and the rest of my money is going towards charitable investments. Because you’re right…it’s ridiculous how much *some* entertainers are paid in this world.

]]> By: Mikal http://joekraynak.com/politics/should-the-president-be-paid.html/comment-page-1#comment-2193 Mikal Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:43:56 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/?p=132#comment-2193 With a strong caveat, yes, I feel the President of the United States should be paid a salary while in office. The caveat... 100% of the money should be returned / reimbursed by the President within 10 years of leaving office. The simple truth of the matter is that these days, a former President of the United States has the earning potential of a cobra at a mongoose convention. From book deals, speaking appearances, private functions, and consulting, a former President is likely to earn upwards of at least $100 million within five to ten years of leaving office. In return for that opportunity, the President should commit to refunding taxpayers the $400k + per year earned while in office. As everyone knows, while in office, a President wants for nothing... every expense imaginable is paid for, meaning its more than likely that the salary is being socked away during those four to eight years anyway. Allow the President to use those funds to get his new career started, then demand a reimbursement. In the case that the President dies before the reimbursement is made, collect the funds from his estate (upon his/her agreement to do so), to be paid for by future earnings from their name, likeness, book sales, etc. With a strong caveat, yes, I feel the President of the United States should be paid a salary while in office. The caveat… 100% of the money should be returned / reimbursed by the President within 10 years of leaving office.

The simple truth of the matter is that these days, a former President of the United States has the earning potential of a cobra at a mongoose convention. From book deals, speaking appearances, private functions, and consulting, a former President is likely to earn upwards of at least $100 million within five to ten years of leaving office. In return for that opportunity, the President should commit to refunding taxpayers the $400k + per year earned while in office. As everyone knows, while in office, a President wants for nothing… every expense imaginable is paid for, meaning its more than likely that the salary is being socked away during those four to eight years anyway. Allow the President to use those funds to get his new career started, then demand a reimbursement.

In the case that the President dies before the reimbursement is made, collect the funds from his estate (upon his/her agreement to do so), to be paid for by future earnings from their name, likeness, book sales, etc.

]]> By: Kathy http://joekraynak.com/politics/should-the-president-be-paid.html/comment-page-1#comment-2191 Kathy Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:54:03 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/?p=132#comment-2191 I have no problem paying a competent individual to run the country. But maybe there should be a clause that if he (or she) runs the country into the ground they (and their administration) should have to return their salaries. Not a realistic proposition I know, but something to think about. On a more serious level, it's hard to believe that someone would scoff at a $400,000.00 salary for someone who runs a country, while at the same time sports and movie stars are paid many times that amount of money for a job that is primarily for entertainment value. There are many other jobs that pay much higher wages with less responsibility and less personal sacrifices. I have no problem paying a competent individual to run the country. But maybe there should be a clause that if he (or she) runs the country into the ground they (and their administration) should have to return their salaries. Not a realistic proposition I know, but something to think about. On a more serious level, it’s hard to believe that someone would scoff at a $400,000.00 salary for someone who runs a country, while at the same time sports and movie stars are paid many times that amount of money for a job that is primarily for entertainment value. There are many other jobs that pay much higher wages with less responsibility and less personal sacrifices.

]]> By: Joe http://joekraynak.com/politics/should-the-president-be-paid.html/comment-page-1#comment-2190 Joe Sat, 24 Jan 2009 11:18:32 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/?p=132#comment-2190 Yes, the president should be paid a salary. I think everyone should be paid for the work they do, and the president has what I think is the toughest job in the country - primarily due to the weight of the responsibility he carries. However, I also think everyone should have to pay their own rent, grocery bills, non-work-related travel expenses, and so on. This would give them a taste of what the average American is struggling with on a daily basis and how important it is to budget carefully... something they've apparently forgotten how to do in Washington. Citizens would see an immediate benefit at the movie theaters. The first time Obama had to pay $8 or more for a movie ticket, $7 for a large popcorn, and $5 for a fountain drink, he'd be signing an executive order to prohibit price gouging at the movie theaters. Yes, the president should be paid a salary. I think everyone should be paid for the work they do, and the president has what I think is the toughest job in the country – primarily due to the weight of the responsibility he carries.

However, I also think everyone should have to pay their own rent, grocery bills, non-work-related travel expenses, and so on. This would give them a taste of what the average American is struggling with on a daily basis and how important it is to budget carefully… something they’ve apparently forgotten how to do in Washington.

Citizens would see an immediate benefit at the movie theaters. The first time Obama had to pay $8 or more for a movie ticket, $7 for a large popcorn, and $5 for a fountain drink, he’d be signing an executive order to prohibit price gouging at the movie theaters.

]]> By: Nick http://joekraynak.com/politics/should-the-president-be-paid.html/comment-page-1#comment-2189 Nick Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:48:52 +0000 http://joekraynak.com/blog/?p=132#comment-2189 I believe that the president receives enough special treatment by living within the White House, which is a varitable 1-Family City, that he shouldn't NEED any compensation whatsoever. He has a barber, a tailor, a bowling alley, several cooks and chefs, and a movie theatre, just to name a few of the ammenities. On top of that the president recieves gifts from around the world from people who just want to tell him they think he's doing a good job. That all being said, however, I do believe that the president does DESERVE to be paid a salary, but I think that $400,000 is a little excessive considering everything that he gets for just being the president. I mean, let's think about this...he doesn't have to pay for ANYTHING that normal everyday citizens have to worry about. ALL TRANSPORTATION, limos, jets, helicopters, all free. HEALTHCARE, free. RENT? HA! FOOD, provided. I dunno about his kids' education...but the only thing I know of that Barack Obama is going to have to pay for during his time as president is if wants to have a PRIVATE party to entertain special guests...THAT'S IT. So yes, I believe a salary is necessary, deserved, and right....but not one as large as the president has received in the recent past. I believe that the president receives enough special treatment by living within the White House, which is a varitable 1-Family City, that he shouldn’t NEED any compensation whatsoever. He has a barber, a tailor, a bowling alley, several cooks and chefs, and a movie theatre, just to name a few of the ammenities. On top of that the president recieves gifts from around the world from people who just want to tell him they think he’s doing a good job.

That all being said, however, I do believe that the president does DESERVE to be paid a salary, but I think that $400,000 is a little excessive considering everything that he gets for just being the president. I mean, let’s think about this…he doesn’t have to pay for ANYTHING that normal everyday citizens have to worry about. ALL TRANSPORTATION, limos, jets, helicopters, all free. HEALTHCARE, free. RENT? HA! FOOD, provided. I dunno about his kids’ education…but the only thing I know of that Barack Obama is going to have to pay for during his time as president is if wants to have a PRIVATE party to entertain special guests…THAT’S IT.

So yes, I believe a salary is necessary, deserved, and right….but not one as large as the president has received in the recent past.

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