To what extent do politicians in America truly represent the people they claim to? A man's viral video has stirred up online debates about the matter, using salary figures to support his claim that politicians do not represent the people at all.

In a now-viral video, TikToker Alex Pearlman shares why he thinks all politicians who sit in a room and don’t do “sh..t” should live like regular people and earn similar wages to truly represent them. 

“Every politician in our country should be paid their state minimum wage, not a penny more,” he starts the video by stating. 

“Every year they’re there they should get a 1.25% raise, let him get sit there and be told they did a really great job, and then go get 30 cents more.” 

Alex's suggestion is that politicians can only represent the people if they undergo the same living conditions. “You want to represent us?” “Live like us,” he says. 

According to him, Marjorie Taylor Greene has been complaining that the congressional salary isn't enough to live on. The thing is, it's actually $174,000 a year, and every member of Congress gets paid that much.

He goes on to explain that during her first two years in Congress, she got kicked off all her committees and just spent her time traveling around the country, talking “sh..t” and trying to raise money, all while pulling down a $174,000 salary.

Alex argues that as you sit down to do your taxes and examine your W-2 forms, you should ask yourself: did I make $174,000 last year? Because that's what every member of Congress earns.

He strongly believes that politicians who get paid $174,000 annually, receive a per diem, and have their travel expenses covered, cannot truly represent Americans.

“Open up your W-2 right now, did you make $174,000 a year? Then why we have people out here claiming they represent us when they don’t live like us?” 

Alex also asks viewers if they’re getting paid $174,000 per year or if their job also covers their travel expenses. He confidently states that he knows the answer is no.

According to him, politicians not only do they get paid $174,000 a year for doing next to nothing, but they also receive the best healthcare in the country. Even some people like George Santos, who he claims scammed his way into Congress, simply wanted access to healthcare and a pension. 

He strongly believes that politicians will prioritize raising their own salaries before even considering raising the federal minimum wage, which remains at only $7.25 an hour in places like Pennsylvania. 

Ending the video, Alex acknowledges that some people can find higher-paying jobs, but the existence of such a low minimum wage serves as a ceiling for all other wages.

@pearlmania500 Let them eat chef-boyardee. #rant #pearlmania500 #congress #georgesantos #marjorietaylorgreene #senate #politics #money #taxes #lifehack ♬ original sound - Alex Pearlman

Alex’s video has garnered thousands of comments from viewers, with many adding their own suggestions to make politicians better understand the struggles of the average American.

“no. raise. they have to ask for it and be told that it's not in the budget. but they appreciate it,” one user wrote. 

“They also should get in trouble if they go over 40 hrs a week,” a second suggested.

“1.25% is being generous tbh,” a third commented. 

“I got 5 chocolate covered pretzels for selling cards at my job,” a fourth shared. 

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