“If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other benefits from the treasury, democracy is done for.”
When legislators view themselves as beneficiaries rather than stewards of public funds, they betray the principle of representing citizens, undermining democratic legitimacy.
In simple terms: Self‑interest erodes representation.
Democracy fails if leaders prioritize personal gain.
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Some argue that personal compensation is necessary to attract qualified officials, not a betrayal of duty.
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
