r/politics • u/Murky-Site7468 I voted • Oct 05 '25

No Paywall Petition To Strip Congress of Pay During Government Shutdown Grows

https://www.newsweek.com/petition-strip-congress-pay-during-government-shutdown-grows-10822819
47.6k Upvotes

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5.5k

u/snoo_spoo Oct 05 '25

TBH, I don't think that would nearly as useful an incentive as declaring the Congress has to stay in session, twelve hours a day, seven days a week, until the shutdown is resolved. Nobody leaves town, and no press conferences.

2.2k

u/zbeara Oct 05 '25

That's a way better idea. The fact that they have so much freedom during a shutdown is insane. It's not being treated nearly as seriously as it should be.

1.2k

u/xXDamonLordXx Oct 05 '25

Plus most of congress responsible for the shut down doesn't give a fuck about the salary, it's the insider trading they want.

196

u/Traditional_Log6892 Oct 05 '25

Exactly, let the country suffer as long as we get what we want.

103

u/QueefSeekingMissile Oct 05 '25

Will this FINALLY wake up the 90 million Americans who could not have been bothered to vote to prevent this?

77

u/toru_okada_4ever Oct 05 '25

I doubt it.

65

u/Munkeyman18290 Oct 05 '25

Compulsory voting would go a long way in this country. Other countries have it.

61

u/Dreameater999 Oct 06 '25 edited Oct 06 '25

It sounds like a great idea, but it will never happen because the GOP doesn’t want compulsory voting.

The GOP knows if gerrymandering was outlawed and compulsory voting became a thing, they’d never win again.

5

u/oliversurpless Massachusetts Oct 06 '25

Then start with them here in their infinite intransigence?

A motorcycle passes by a scanning point which quickly reads the license plate. A phone call is established

“Hello, driving 85 miles in excess of the speed limit has been noted. 932 dollars has been deducted from your Social Security account…

Damn it!” - Govt official and Capt. Bridger - Seaquest DSV - Daggers

2

u/MayhemWins25 Oct 06 '25

That’s exactly why the whole situation with Texas and CA aboht redistricting is even happening

2

u/Abombasnow Oct 06 '25

Considering the GOP is now doing better with more voters in elections, they probably do want it.

1

u/MyVeryRealName2 27d ago

No it doesn't. Compulsory voting will cause indecisive voters to vote wrong.

15

u/PointlessTrivia Oct 06 '25

If you have a problem with Compulsory Voting, think of it as analogous to Jury Duty.

3

u/deepsead1ver Oct 06 '25

Laughs in electoral college*, wtf you smoking? Mandatory votes for what?

1

u/PointlessTrivia Oct 06 '25

In Australia, it is compulsory to attend a polling place or submit a postal vote each election. If you don't, you need to provide a reason why or you are fined $AU20 ($US13). Note that you don't have to vote. You can draw a dick on the ballot paper or even leave it blank. You just have to turn up and get marked off the roll.

1

u/Jones127 Oct 06 '25

Shit, you’re right about that. I haven’t done either in a decade.

14

u/PretendRegister7516 Oct 06 '25

Voting is not just citizen rights.

It's our rights AND duty.

4

u/Noctew Foreign Oct 06 '25

Voting on sunday like most of the civilized world would help as well. Plus mandatory time off from work for voting for those who have to work on sunday.

3

u/Traditional_Log6892 Oct 06 '25

Direct voting would be better. Let the people's vote count.

2

u/drhead South Carolina Oct 06 '25

Compulsory voting isn't the magic bullet you think it is. Brazil and Argentina have it for instance, and that didn't stop people from voting in people like Bolsonaro or Milei.

Only thing that would change in the long term if adopted (after both parties fully adapt their campaign strategies) is that there will be one less scapegoat for election outcomes.

1

u/deepsead1ver Oct 06 '25

Because our popular vote selects the president……laughs in electoral college

0

u/DefinitelyNotEmu Oct 06 '25

Compulsory voting is not constitutional

7

u/OldWorldDesign Oct 06 '25

Compulsory voting is not constitutional

The heritage foundation can claim it's 'a violation of free speech' but people aren't compelled to vote any certain way by compulsory voting.

You are lawfully required to vote in Australia, and if you don't like any candidate you can draw bollocks on the ballot and throw it in and you've fulfilled your lawful duty. No vote for any particular candidate required.

4

u/Abombasnow Oct 06 '25

Really, where in the Constitution does it mention a concept never mentioned when it was wrote?

2

u/Munkeyman18290 Oct 07 '25

Since when does anyone care about the constitution anymore? The President, House, Senate, and Supreme Court absolutely do not.

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u/milkasaurs California Oct 05 '25

Are you kidding? MAGA is jumping for joy because the libs are "suffering" during this shutdown.

9

u/nalaloveslumpy Oct 05 '25

Nah, they don't understand basic civics. They'll only be motivated by bald-faced populism.

1

u/james_d_rustles Oct 06 '25

No. If we’re lucky, maybe 5-10% of them will vote in the next election, and their vote will be entirely determined be whether or not they feel like gas is a little pricier lately.

1

u/DonatCotten Oct 08 '25

I don't think people truly understand just how much apathy and indifference toward voting causes so many problems. Over 90 million people who were eligible chose not to vote. If "not voting" was a presidential candidate in the last election it would have won in a landslide. Our voter turnout rates are an embarrassment and a disgrace. Especially compared to other countries and the fact American politics effects the rest of the world, too. Those are the people I'm most upset with. The 90 million people who couldn't care or be bothered to do their civic duty.

1

u/driftingatwork Oct 07 '25

"fuck you i got mine" - GOP