One of the reasons a lot of government positions track if you have debts is that propensity to financial burdens make politicians more suceptible to corruption.

If you pay them less, they are actually going to be more easily bribed.

I’d agree with you except we see politicians selling out for even tiny amounts while having tens of millions in the bank. If you’re willing to sell the food out of the mouths of the poor for $2,500 and you’ve got 12 mil in the bank your inherently corrupt and having a big paycheck won’t change that. They have billionaire brain rot, number go up syndrome, as long as number goes up that’s all that matters no matter how much they are given or have.

It's also actually a means to prevent corruption unfortunately. Less likely to take ridiculous sums if you're financially solid

Live in Missouri. Our state legislature liked to for years vote down a pay raise for themselves. They made sure to stand up and wave "Look at how good we're doing."

If I wanted to run for legislature, I would have had to taken a cut in pay and I am definitely not on the top 50% of the state, much less the country.

I think it is much more important what they are using that skill for.