I don’t necessarily like cutting politician wages to the bone because it makes it so people who aren’t of independent means can’t afford to take the job. Of course, pay should be watched, and the President’s salary is probably too high, but he is supposed to pay for his and his families meals, clothing, school, medical insurance etc. out of that. They are supposed to have to pay for meals unless it’s business.
What??
To sit at a desk, talk on the phone and look at paper work? How is it possible people can work 40 hours a week at a 9 or 12 dollar an hour jobs, but can't be politicians because the can't afford it? How are they doing it now?
The more well off can still run for office, but should be paid close to minimum wage for the privilege of serving the people. Ya got a problem with that?
Re cutting the president’s wages — I strongly suspect that the $39K will simply all that Ron Paul will take as President, just as Arnold Schwarzenegger only took a symbolic $1 a year as California’s governor. That doesn’t mean that the salary of the President would be cut, but rather that this is the amount that HE would accept as President.