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The "elderly technophobes" gripe sounds like they're angling for Zoom rather than schlepping to Concord.There must be retired and people with flexible work schedules that can run, we just need to find them.
There must be retired and people with flexible work schedules that can run, we just need to find them.
The will bring up the weed issue too, the cry will be that the old people couldn't get it done.The "elderly technophobes" gripe sounds like they're angling for Zoom rather than schlepping to Concord.
The "elderly technophobes" gripe sounds like they're angling for Zoom rather than schlepping to Concord.
Interestingly, retiring is fairly common in other countries. Look at Merkel for instance, there's no term limits for German Chancellor, she could have kept going and going (elections aside), but stepped down now around our US retirement age. There's several world leaders under 40, like Marin in Finland (age 36).This is the exact demographic age wise that is pretty much universally hated. One of the things that is ubiquitous is people sick and tired of being lead by old people.
Retired? Go retire. Please. You're done. Go retire. Let people who still have a life ahead of them with modern understandings with plenty of years ahead of them run.
Enough of out of touch geezers running stuff.
That said my local rep is my age and a complete dumpster fire retard (R), but hey, at least he's not 80.
This is the exact demographic age wise that is pretty much universally hated. One of the things that is ubiquitous is people sick and tired of being lead by old people.
Retired? Go retire. Please. You're done. Go retire. Let people who still have a life ahead of them with modern understandings with plenty of years ahead of them run.
Enough of out of touch geezers running stuff.
That said my local rep is my age and a complete dumpster fire retard (R), but hey, at least he's not 80.
Interestingly, retiring is fairly common in other countries. Look at Merkel for instance, there's no term limits for German Chancellor, she could have kept going and going (elections aside), but stepped down now around our US retirement age. There's several world leaders under 40, like Marin in Finland (age 36).
Half of the Senate now, I believe, is 65+. And Congress is getting older, the average age is up something like four years since 2000.
Then you get the funny sound bites of Ted Stevens and his "my secretary sent me an internet the other day" and "series of tubes." Plus Blumenthal and his "commit to banning finsta" and so on.
We just incentivize politicians too much, so the urge to remain in power keeps going such that people want to die in office.
I 100% agree. it's a sad state of affairs.Yes, but unless you're independently wealthy, self employed with a flexible schedule, or receive tons of support from your employer, doing this as a wage slave isn't really possible.
The last thing we need are professional politicians.
Between a small pension and a 30 hour part-time hourly job, my gross last year was $53,000 or so. That's our only household income.Yes, but unless you're independently wealthy, self employed with a flexible schedule, or receive tons of support from your employer, doing this as a wage slave isn't really possible.
Forget wealth, you have a part time job with a flexible schedule, and a pension, and I assume no serious health issues. Now throw all that out and figure that you have to work over 40 hours a week with limited or no flexibility, no pension, your job is your sole income, and only a couple weeks PTO. Would it still be so easy? How are you going to work and attend sessions? Add in a health condition that requires several appointments each month and 3 hours every day, and has the side affect of leaving you exhausted. Doesn't sound so easy now does it.Between a small pension and a 30 hour part-time hourly job, my gross last year was $53,000 or so. That's our only household income.
My boss gives me flexibility in scheduling, but expects the same in return.
Keep in mind that I live two hours from Concord, so those back-to-back 12 hour days are killer. In four years, I only spent one night in Concord (gotta pay for your own room if you do).
So, yeah... not much sympathy here for the claim that you have to be wealthy. You should see some of the beaters in the parking garage.
Between a small pension and a 30 hour part-time hourly job, my gross last year was $53,000 or so. That's our only household income.
My boss gives me flexibility in scheduling, but expects the same in return.
Keep in mind that I live two hours from Concord, so those back-to-back 12 hour days are killer. In four years, I only spent one night in Concord (gotta pay for your own room if you do).
So, yeah... not much sympathy here for the claim that you have to be wealthy. You should see some of the beaters in the parking garage.
You moved the goalpost there quite a bit, but what the hell.Forget wealth, you have a part time job with a flexible schedule, and a pension, and I assume no serious health issues. Now throw all that out and figure that you have to work over 40 hours a week with limited or no flexibility, no pension, your job is your sole income, and only a couple weeks PTO. Would it still be so easy? How are you going to work and attend sessions? Add in a health condition that requires several appointments each month and 3 hours every day, and has the side affect of leaving you exhausted. Doesn't sound so easy now does it.
It's not about money, I get paid well, I could handle a 10K pay cut if it got me the ability to serve as a Rep, but the industry doesn't work that way. You have to be available. Hell I took a 15K cut to move to NH, sure I got it back in a couple years, but the point is I'll cut when given the option to get what I want.
I'm glad you can server, it's a good thing. But most people are not in a position with that much flexibility and few other time commitments. Your situation is NOT typical.
Mileage is paid from your home to the State House on days you actually attend (including committee meetings). It's paid at the IRS rate, which is set once a year (it went down slightly right before fuel prices shot up).but yeah, after watching that three day session last month, I was going to ask if the hotels were paid for. You answered that, do you get mileage for each day or only day 1 and day 3?
If they do pay mileage every day, it seems like a small fix IAW established per diem rates could be made for reps/sens whose district is X miles or hours away.
"You moved the goalpost there quite a bit, but what the hell." Didn't mean to, not really sure how you mean this, but not my intent.You moved the goalpost there quite a bit, but what the hell.
My own health is fair. No major issues. I'm not running again because of my wife's health. Two surgeries in 2021, two in 2022, diabetes, wound care appointments every two weeks... and they always seem to fall on Session Days. We only have one car, and she can't drive even if we had a second. That leaves her relying on local ride providers for cash.
Not everyone can juggle it, and I get that. I'm exhausted, which is why I'm taking a break.
State rep in NH is like coaching youth sports: everyone has to take a turn, whether they want to or not. The key is knowing how to give a, "Well, aren't you special?" smile to those in the stands screaming at how you're doing it all wrong.
Mileage is paid from your home to the State House on days you actually attend (including committee meetings). It's paid at the IRS rate, which is set once a year (it went down slightly right before fuel prices shot up).
Reps aren't supposed to claim mileage unless they travel from home. It's on the honor system. The one time I stayed in Concord, I gave up two legs of mileage (total $118.97), and paid the $140 hotel room out of pocket.
Why does Jeffery Toobin come to mind?They're angling for all of the above and then some.
Zoom is useful in some instances, but if you've watched the last couple Senate sessions with Zoom they can't even get it right among 24 people. Imagine 400.