Rep. Jerry Weiers (AZ): Genius Politician
By Wyatt Earp | January 28, 2009
Now, I realize that the term ‘genius politician” seems like an oxymoron, but bear with me. I truly think this man should run for president.
And the fact that he looks like Ulysses S. Grant only helps his cause. maybe we can put him on the $50 bill?
A state representative wants to dock lawmakers a day’s pay if an unexcused absence causes them to miss a vote on legislation that reaches the floor of the House or Senate.
Like I said: Friggin’. Brilliant!
“I think it’s just a matter of right and wrong,” Rep. Jerry Weiers, R-Glendale, said Tuesday before the House Government Committee. “If you’re working, you should get paid, and if you’re not working, you shouldn’t get paid.”
Saying he’s tired of seeing colleagues miss votes they consider unimportant, Weiers calls in HB 2127 for lawmakers to lose an amount not less than $175 for each day they miss a floor vote. Those lawmakers also would be listed on the Legislature’s Web site as failing to vote. (H/T - Code Monkey)
No matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on, can anyone truly say that this is not a great idea? We vote for (and pay the salaries of) these politicians with the expectation that they will be doing their jobs. Whether they like it or not, sometimes their jobs demand that they vote on seemingly meaningless legislation.
What do you think would happen if everyone in America played hooky from work every time they thought their day would be full of meaningless work?
Oh, and the funniest part of this story?
During the House Government Committee vote, Rep. Tom Chabin, D-Flagstaff, was absent! Your tax dollars at work, kids.
Topics: Politics |
January 28th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
They not only should not get paid but we also should have 8 year term limits on all politicians no exceptions if they can’t steal enough in 8 years they are idiots!
January 28th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I like this guy! Thanks for the head’s up!
January 28th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
He won’t last long thinking like this.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Too honest=voted out of office… sigh…
January 28th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
George - I agree. I wish I knew why there are term limits for POTUS but not for Congress.
Eric - You’re welcome. Sounds like a quality individual.
Admiral - Nope. Not at all.
Old NFO - Absolutely. Hopefully, common sense will prevail.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Decency will never last in politics. Heh.
I hope that idea takes hold, though. It’s great!
January 28th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I’ve heard someone who works in DC (in gov’t) say that if there were term limits in Congress, then the lobbyists really would run everything because they’d be the only people who were around for extended periods of time.
Being that I don’t work there, I don’t know if it’s true, but it did stick in my head.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Heh. I like Jerry. He’s a cool guy based on my experience with him.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Makes sense to me - although the people who freak over voter I.D. won’t like it.
Grant? I was thinking he looked more like pre-botox Kenny Rogers.
January 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
If you want to know what we think about our politicians try:
Guido Fawkes on http://www.order-order.com/
The Englishman on http://www.anenglishmanscastle.com/
Devil’s kitchen on http://devilskitchen.me.uk/
BEWARE Devil’s Kitchen is (probably) the original swear blogger and has been given the award for the blogger most likely to be suffering from Turette’s Syndrome.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
January 29th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
RT - Agreed. It’s a great idea that will probably never catch on anywhere else.
Code Monkey - And if there’s anything we need, it’s more powerful lobbbyists. /snark
Bitter - He certainly seems like a sharp guy. The people of AZ are lucky to have him.
Doghouse - Well, he does know when to hold ‘em . . .
Alan - I’ll check them out.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I agree, AZ is lucky to have this guy if he’s as stand-up as he appears to be.
I also support term limits for the ilk we have voted to send to Washington. I will go one further though and think they should have to resign prior to running for any other office. Look at this last Presidential election. We paid for Clinton, Obama and McCain to campaign for nearly TWO years. Just ridiculous. The retirement they get should be a thing of the past too…