If the job didn't pay a salary, the only people who could do the job would be the rich who don't need a salary, or those willing to accept bribes.

If you make the salary too low, it will discourage anybody who can make a better living doing something else. And, if the people doing it don't think they're being paid what they're really worth, they're more likely to take bribes or "donations" to boost their salary back up to what it should be.

Really, the salary should be high. It should be a job that people who are really qualified will want to do. It should be one where you have no need to take a bribe because you're already doing so well, and you'd be afraid of throwing away such a well compensated job.

Honestly, there’s a load of satisfied wealthy people - you just don’t hear about them because, well, there’s literally nothing to report about them.

I wouldn't say it's so that they can't be bought, so much as so they don't have to be bought. It's part of the reason they haven't voted for a pay raise and so long. Their owners don't want them to have other options.

They also carry a hell of a lot more responsibility than the average American worker. Is be in favor of a party raise along with restricting other income streams like stock investments.