Now, I've heard good reasons for and against this (even from people on this sub), but there's a real issue to becoming a politician - a real barrier to entry that makes it so that only someone already really wealthy can do it (or someone corrupt enough to become wealthy by selling their power and influence), and typically, the higher the position, the more wealth you need. For instance: where I live, I want to run for the house, and gradually work my way up. This position, to do it well and properly represent the people, is a full time job. In my state, this pays $100/year. Yes, $100/year; not even $2/week. So, someone like myself can absolutely not run for office, even though I'd likely do a decent job, and at least have my state and this country's interest as a first priority. As a result, only the wealthy can run and hold office here. I wouldn't need much, but if the state can afford the average $40k or so per year to house an inmate at the state penitentiary, they can at least offer a similar stipend for politicians serving the people and state

The other argument is that you want someone with a proven track record who is already wealthy and successful, which I get, but I think there's something to be said about the barrier that prevents an average person like me from ever running.

Now, I've heard good reasons for and against this (even from people on this sub), but there's a real issue to becoming a politician - a real barrier to entry that makes it so that only someone already really wealthy can do it, and typically, the higher the position, the more wealth you need. For instance: where I live, I want to run for the house, and gradually work my way up. This position, to do it well and properly represent the people, is a full time job. In my state, this pays $100/year. Yes, $100/year; not even $2/week. So, someone like myself can absolutely not run for office, even though I'd likely do a decent job, and at least have my state and this country's interest as a first priority. As a result, only the wealthy can run and hold office here. I wouldn't need much, but if the state can afford the average $40k or so per year to house an inmate at the state penitentiary, they can at least offer a similar stipend for politicians serving the people and state

The other argument is that you want someone with a proven track record who is already wealthy and successful, which I get, but I think there's something to be said about the barrier that prevents an average person like me from ever running.

Now, I've heard good reasons for and against this (even from people on this sub), but there's a real issue to becoming a politician - a real barrier to entry that makes it so that only someone already really wealthy can do it, and typically, the higher the position, the more wealth you need. For instance: where I live, I want to run for the house, and gradually work my way up. This position, to do it well and properly represent the people, is a full time job. In my state, this pays $100/year. Yes, $100/year; not even $2/week. So, someone like myself can absolutely not run for office, even though I'd likely do a decent job, and at least have my state and this country's interest as a first priority. As a result, only the wealthy can run and hold office here.

The other argument is that you want someone with a proven track record who is already wealthy and successful, which I get, but I think there's something to be said about the barrier that prevents an average person like me from ever running.