Dominican Senators make more than President of U.S.

[RHM]

In the Dominican Senate there are 32 senators who each collect RD$2,000,000 pesos per month or approximately US$60,000 (yes, that means that every one of them earns more than POTUS).

That's US$60,000 per month (out of the people’s coffers) while the average Dominican family takes home about US$240.

The sad part is that the average Dominican does not look at that scenario and hope to vote out the corrupt politicians. Instead, it motivates them to become corrupt politicians and the cycle continues.

Whenever I review this information I am less and less surprised with the rise in crime, especially robberies.

Strap yourselves in, with the price of crude going up daily things are going to get uglier.

RHM

[Chip]

Very good point. The problem is ignorance and apathy. This can change but it will require a movement with a strong honest leader and a big bankroll to get the message out. I forsee it happening it the next generation - heck I might just do it myself.

No seriously, it would only take a couple of million US to get things going via radio programs, tv interviews and a grass roots campaigning around the country. Obviously, a large amount of funds will be needed up front because the demographics that are targeted won't be able to donate anything substantial. IMO, this is just waiting to happen.

[laurapasinifan]

only in the DR can a senator make $60K a month and still feel the need to be corrupt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just amazing



bob

[cobraboy]

What specific office expenses does a Senator have to pay out of that?

Not defending them, just want to put it into proper perspective.

If you include ALL a US Senators expenses, it's a huge number.

[SKY]

Originally Posted by cobraboy

What specific office expenses does a Senator have to pay out of that?

Not defending them, just want to put it into proper perspective.

If you include ALL a US Senators expenses, it's a huge number.

He needs to pay out of his pocket for all Cabana use with his fleet of secretaries. This can get expensive.

[RHM]

Originally Posted by cobraboy

What specific office expenses does a Senator have to pay out of that?

Not defending them, just want to put it into proper perspective.

If you include ALL a US Senators expenses, it's a huge number.

Yes, US Senators receive monthly funds as well, but let's keep it in perspective.

The U.S. is the richest country in the world. The DR is among the poorest.

It's disgusting but, in short, the U.S. can afford it. The DR can't.

The entire congress (Diputados and Senadores) are higher paid than their Italian counterparts (see DR1 news from last year). Makes me ill.

RHM

[laurapasinifan]

a US senators pay is unrelated to his offices expenses. They have a budget for staff and travel ect that is in addition to their pay.

for $60K US a MONTH!!! they dont use cabanas, they buy a villa just for that......

that salary is insane.............you read the news about what the politicians allocate money to... and how much and what they give themselves in raises...

and you put that into perspective of the basic needs many people go with out in the DR...and it blows your mind.

just thinking health care....or care for the severly handicaped!!

it seems they get NOTHING....

bob

[ExtremeR]

Where did you get that amount??? Last I heard they maked like 200,000 pesos per month, not 2,000,000. Not even President Fernandez make that amount of money. Maybe with dieta and session payments it can reach 400,000 pesos but I have never heard of a 2,000,000 pesos salary of a DR Senator

[RHM]

Originally Posted by ExtremeR

Where did you get that amount??? Last I heard they maked like 200,000 pesos per month, not 2,000,000. Not even President Fernandez make that amount of money. Maybe with dieta and session payments it can reach 400,000 pesos but I have never heard of a 2,000,000 pesos salary of a DR Senator

"Hoy is reporting that each Dominican senator costs the state roughly RD$2 million per month, including expenses."

Reference follows:

DR1 Daily News -- Thursday, 24 January 2008

Senators just as big a burden
Following yesterday's revelation that Dominican deputies take home more than RD$350,000 each month and that their salaries have increased by 7,000% since 1990, Hoy is reporting that each Dominican senator costs the state roughly RD$2 million per month, including expenses. Hoy writes that without including the special "cofrecito," (petty cash box), that ranges from RD$400,000 to RD$265,000 depending on the size of the senator's provincial population, the senators receive RD$265,000 per month in monthly income. This is broken down into RD$125,000 for basic salary, RD$50,000 in representation costs, RD$25,000 in per-diems, RD$25,000 for housing allowance and RD$3,500 for additional expenses. The 32 Senate members, like their deputies, also receive two complete tax exemptions for importing a vehicle during their tenure. These are frequently cashed in through car dealerships. Including all costs and expenses, senators manage RD$19.2 million per month. Senate president Reinaldo Pared Perez, who is also the senator for the National District, receives the highest monthly salary followed by Cristina Lizardo (Santo Domingo province), Francisco Dominguez (Santiago), and Tommy Galan (San Cristobal). Hoy writes that these senators also have drivers, offices in their communities staffed by between 10 to 12 people, and two advisors with salaries of RD$20,000 per month, all paid for by Congress.

RHM

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Scandall

"Hoy is reporting that each Dominican senator costs the state roughly RD$2 million per month, including expenses."

Reference follows:

DR1 Daily News -- Thursday, 24 January 2008

Senators just as big a burden
Following yesterday's revelation that Dominican deputies take home more than RD$350,000 each month and that their salaries have increased by 7,000% since 1990, Hoy is reporting that each Dominican senator costs the state roughly RD$2 million per month, including expenses. Hoy writes that without including the special "cofrecito," (petty cash box), that ranges from RD$400,000 to RD$265,000 depending on the size of the senator's provincial population, the senators receive RD$265,000 per month in monthly income. This is broken down into RD$125,000 for basic salary, RD$50,000 in representation costs, RD$25,000 in per-diems, RD$25,000 for housing allowance and RD$3,500 for additional expenses. The 32 Senate members, like their deputies, also receive two complete tax exemptions for importing a vehicle during their tenure. These are frequently cashed in through car dealerships. Including all costs and expenses, senators manage RD$19.2 million per month. Senate president Reinaldo Pared Perez, who is also the senator for the National District, receives the highest monthly salary followed by Cristina Lizardo (Santo Domingo province), Francisco Dominguez (Santiago), and Tommy Galan (San Cristobal). Hoy writes that these senators also have drivers, offices in their communities staffed by between 10 to 12 people, and two advisors with salaries of RD$20,000 per month, all paid for by Congress.

RHM

Thanks. That makes more sense than an RD$2,000,000 salary.