The European Union. Everyone keep calm. Be civil.

[Varalir]

It's still unfair.

 

[AreJohn]

Only when humanity hands its laws and legislation making over to our computer overlords, with their calculated descision making, will we have equality and fairness.

 

[Bromden]

It's still unfair.

I don't deny that.

As they are working for us, it should be the voters who decide their salaries. I wonder how many would still want to play the benevolent leader act for a minimum wage.

 

[Calradianın bilgesi]

tbf, their pay is comparable to mid-level consultant or mid-level banker. And the EU probably needs people with similar level of qualification.

 

[Bromden]

The real extra salary comes from the contacts and business opportunities they are exposed to in their position. Many don't hesitate to live with them. Some even, I dare to say, puts the importance of those business opportunities above their sworn duties for their respective countries and the vision of Grand Europe.

 

[Varalir]

Personally I think those who have strong ties to or own companies should be barred from politics.

 

[BenKenobi]

As they are working for us, it should be the voters who decide their salaries. I wonder how many would still want to play the benevolent leader act for a minimum wage.

No, because voters are stupid, don't understand things and create opinions after thinking about the issue for 3 seconds. High salaries for officials are not a priori a bad thing. If the state (or the EU) won't throw obscene amount of money on exceptionally capable people, the private sector will. I've a friend who was in some kind of a commission for the Irish government that was supposed to work out policies for the banking sector. He claimed that one of the biggest problems was that the banks could outmatch the government in offered money and thus considerably slow or hamper the work of this body by picking the key persons. Another illustration would be with the judges in the Czech republic - top people from law faculties will not choose this career (I'm not saying there are not exceptions, that it is not competitive and that becoming a judge is not a very difficult thing, though) simply because they have an opportunity to make more than four times more if they stay in private law firms. In the end, you have less capable people doing the job.

 

[Varalir]

But can't that be reduced by laws and punishments? Say if you take money from a third party while doing your job as a country official you get jailed? And the bribers punished as well?

 

[BenKenobi]

I am not sure I understand what you mean. Bribes are criminalised pretty much everywhere.

 

[Calradianın bilgesi]

But can't that be reduced by laws and punishments? Say if you take money from a third party while doing your job as a country official you get jailed? And the bribers punished as well?

'outmatch' in the sense of offering a better salary and getting all the qualified people. not offering bribe.
but it's also often argued that high salaries are a good way to reduce corruption.

 

[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry]

They shouldn't be millionaires or anything, but it's definitely of great value to pay them well. Ben has layed out some good reasons.

While the cynicism many people feel towards it is very understandable, especially if there are no obvious benefits or solutions being created by those high salaries, dismissing their value out of hand is too rash a step.

 

[Jhessail]

the general point is sympathetic enough.

no

very open minded

Why is there a reason to be "open-minded" about a completely retarded conspiracy theory? Hey Dystopian, the INTERNET was created by the lizard people to enslave you and suck your MAN JUICES from you. Better destroy your computer and hide in a little cave somewhere nobody can ever find you again. Because you're so ****ing retarded in your "we must hear both sides of the story" even when the other side is utterly ridiculous bull****, that I cannot fathom a method to save you.

 

[Lord Brutus]

Nice to see you so full of Christmas cheer. 

 

[Calradianın bilgesi]

 

[Jhessail]

I just wanted to give you a recent example of my rants, so you can better play me in the upcoming Taleworlds Musical "And they were all mentally damaged somehow", Brutus.

 

[Dystopian]

the general point is sympathetic enough.

no

very open minded

Why is there a reason to be "open-minded" about a completely retarded conspiracy theory? Hey Dystopian, the INTERNET was created by the lizard people to enslave you and suck your MAN JUICES from you. Better destroy your computer and hide in a little cave somewhere nobody can ever find you again. Because you're so **** retarded in your "we must hear both sides of the story" even when the other side is utterly ridiculous bull****, that I cannot fathom a method to save you.

Heyyyy your superiority complex is showing. You really take things way too seriously sometimes jess, lmao.

 

[Mad Vader]

But can't that be reduced by laws and punishments? Say if you take money from a third party while doing your job as a country official you get jailed? And the bribers punished as well?

'outmatch' in the sense of offering a better salary and getting all the qualified people. not offering bribe.
but it's also often argued that high salaries are a good way to reduce corruption.

Worked for the Byzantines and people haven't changed since then.
Every time I see people complaining about big salaries of other people that don't affect them in any way, it's the small man's envy and greed that's the problem.

 

[Bromden]

As they are working for us, it should be the voters who decide their salaries. I wonder how many would still want to play the benevolent leader act for a minimum wage.

No, because voters are stupid, don't understand things and create opinions after thinking about the issue for 3 seconds. High salaries for officials are not a priori a bad thing. If the state (or the EU) won't throw obscene amount of money on exceptionally capable people, the private sector will. I've a friend who was in some kind of a commission for the Irish government that was supposed to work out policies for the banking sector. He claimed that one of the biggest problems was that the banks could outmatch the government in offered money and thus considerably slow or hamper the work of this body by picking the key persons. Another illustration would be with the judges in the Czech republic - top people from law faculties will not choose this career (I'm not saying there are not exceptions, that it is not competitive and that becoming a judge is not a very difficult thing, though) simply because they have an opportunity to make more than four times more if they stay in private law firms. In the end, you have less capable people doing the job.

In my scenario there is a slight, hair-thin chance that the people are satisfied with their EU leaders' performance and they vote them a good salary.

 

[Lord Brutus]

I just wanted to give you a recent example of my rants, so you can better play me in the upcoming Taleworlds Musical "And they were all mentally damaged somehow", Brutus.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.    I'm not up for that role at the moment but I'll take your recommendation under advisement.

 

[Catholic]

Poland reportedly lending a hand to UK over Brexit due to its own spat with the EU.

There goes external EU unity. My disappointment is immeasurable.