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This one seems pretty obvious, but the founders believed that having good leaders would ensure the continuation of the republic. Go figure.
The founders had a lot to say about what constitutes a good leader however. Their idea of a leader was more of a public servant-type figure, sacrificing much of their own life in order to properly serve the public.
In fact, political positions were not meant to provide high salaries whatsoever. Their salaries were originally intended to pay a modest amount that covered the necessities, so as not to create a reason for seeking a political position other than to serve the public. It was an attempt to keep the public officials objective and focused on why they were there, which was simply to serve the people.
Things are a little different today than how they were meant to be, judging from this historical chart of congressional salaries below.
|
Speaker of the House, |
|
Years |
Salary |
Majority/Minority Leaders(1) |
1789-1815 |
6.00 per diem(2) |
|
1815-1817 |
1,500 per annum |
|
1817-1855 |
8.00 per diem |
|
1855-1865 |
$3,000 per annum |
|
1865-1871 |
$5,000 per annum |
|
1871-1873 |
$7,500 per annum |
|
1873-1907 |
$5,000 per annum |
|
1907-1925 |
$7,500 per annum |
|
1925-1932 |
$10,000 per annum |
|
1932-1933 |
$9,000 per annum |
|
1933-1935 |
$8,500 per annum |
|
1935-1947 |
$10,000 per annum |
|
1947-1955 |
$12,500 per annum |
|
1955-1965 |
$22,500 per annum |
|
1965-1969 |
$30,000 per annum |
$35,000 per annum |
1969-1975 |
$42,500 per annum |
$49,500 per annum |
1975-1977 |
$44,600 per annum |
$52,000 per annum |
1977-1978 |
$57,500 per annum |
$65,000 per annum |
1979-1983 |
$60,662.50 per annum(3) |
$68,575 per annum |
1983 |
$69,800 per annum |
|
1984 |
$72,600 per annum |
|
1985-1986 |
$75,100 per annum |
$85,000 per annum |
1987 (1/1-2/3) |
$77,400 per annum |
$87,600 per annum |
1987 (2/4) |
$89,500 per annum |
$99,500 per annum |
1990 (2/1) |
$98,400 per annum(4) |
$109,500 per annum |
1991 |
$101,900 per annum |
$113,400 per annum |
1991 (8/15) |
$125,100 per annum(5) |
$138,900 per annum |
1992 |
$129,500 per annum(6) |
$143,800 per annum |
1993 |
$133,600 per annum |
$148,400 per annum |
1994 |
$133,600 per annum(7) |
$148,400 per annum |
1995 |
$133,600 per annum(8) |
$148,400 per annum |
1996 |
$133,600 per annum(9) |
$148,400 per annum |
1997 |
$133,600 per annum |
$148,400 per annum |
1998 |
$136,673 per annum (10) |
$151,813 per annum |
2000 |
$141,300 per annum (11) |
$156,900 per annum for Leaders; $181,400 per annum for Speaker |
2002 |
$150,000 per annum |
$161,200 per annum for Leaders; $186,300 per annum for Speaker |
2003 |
$154,700 per annum |
$166,700 per annum for Leaders; |
2004 |
$158,100 per annum |
$175,700 per annum for Leaders; $203,000 per annum for Speaker |
2005 |
$162,100 per annum |
$180,100 per annum for Leaders; $208,100 per annum for Speaker |
2006 |
$165,200 per annum |
$183,500 per annum for Leaders; |
2007 |
$168,000 per annum |
$186,600 per annum for Leaders; $215,700 per annum for Speaker |
Obtained from http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_pay.htm
Source of Chart: Senate Historical Office and Senate Disbursing Office; Paul Dwyer, Salaries of Members of Congress, Report No. 95-898GOV, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, December 11, 1995. Information for 2002: http://usgovinfo.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm. A Congressional Research Service Report on congressional salaries is located at http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30014.pdf. See also http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/payandperqs.htm