Former Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter's surprise resignation this month comes with an upside for whoever gets to legislate briefly in his spot. From MLive:
Anyone who serves just the two-month term won't qualify for health care coverage or a congressional pension. But that person would make good money — $29,000, one-sixth of the annual $174,000 salary — and get free parking in preferred lots at Washington National and Dulles International airports.
Other perks of being the ersatz McCotter include free parking at the Capitol and access to the House cloak room forever.
Michigan had hoped to get by without a special election to replace him, but the chance at well-compensated power, however temporary, attracted a wide field of contenders. The vote will cost taxpayers an estimated $650,000. Note that in one town, the expense is almost the same as the salary. Hometown Life reports that Garden City says it'll need to spend $22,000 finding a new McCotter. "We don't have the money," Councilwoman Joanne Dodge tells the paper.
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Solution--hang an empty suit in the cloak room and call it done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avgRRjEaSE4&feature=g-all-u
Other possible solutions (one that might have some unintended consequences): if you resign your position before your term is out, you are responsible for paying for the special election.
Or, why not have the governor appoint a replacement like they do for Senator in some states?
I'd run, but I don't have a cloak. Or spats.
- could I stable my coach and four at Dulles?
I hate to sound so dumb, but I honestly don't know why lifetime access to the cloak room is special. Could someone please explain?
Well, for one thing, you could have access to members of Congress, and that's very valuable in certain quarters, like the lobbying industry.
Also there is free food and stuff
I'd like to jam that American flag guitar up his cock. Just sayin'.
Why not poll his constituents? Most would probably say the guy wasn't doing anything, some won't even know who the guy is. They'd probably rather save the money and leave the seat vacant. Or, better yet, let a different constituent sit in his vacant seat each day with voting priviledges.