# Dear Mark Simmonds - Fuck Off **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 12, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370 "2014-08-12T14:47:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/1 "2014-08-12T14:47:57Z")
In the UK, Tory MP Mark Simmonds resigned this week, saying his income was not enough to pay for a suitable London family homeIn the UK. Brief details [here](http://www.theguardian.com/politics/shortcuts/2014/aug/12/mark-simmonds-why-salary-not-enough) and [here](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/africa-minister-mark-simmonds-resigns-citing-intolerable-parliamentary-allowances-9662722.html). This entitled wanker gets absolutely no sympathy from me. If he wants to quit, then he can fuck off and good riddance to him. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/2 "2014-08-12T14:51:46Z")
Eh, it beats a sex scandal. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/3 "2014-08-12T14:56:01Z")
Or not. At least with a sex scandal you knew someone was getting fucked other than the voters. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/4 "2014-08-12T15:01:39Z")
Devil’s advocate here: I would quit my job if the pay wasn’t enough and I could do better. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/5 "2014-08-12T15:03:58Z")
That’s the point though - the pay \*is \*enough. He’s just whining that it isn’t. What a clueless prick. Next he’ll be claiming disability allowance because his wallet is too heavy and giving him back problems. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/6 "2014-08-12T15:04:09Z")
Does Britain have Lobbyists? That’s a pretty lucrative option here for ex government officials. Of how about a FOX News clone? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/7 "2014-08-12T15:04:56Z")
I fail to see how the voters are getting fucked here. Simmonds evidently isn’t that attached to his civic duty, so what’s the harm in letting somebody else have the job? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/8 "2014-08-12T15:10:29Z")
Yeah, I could get the outrage if he were demanding more money, or, well, that’s all I can think of, but if he just says, “Eh, this isn’t paying me enough. I’ma going to go do something else,” then I don’t see the need for a response more strident than a shrug. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/9 "2014-08-12T15:13:02Z")
I dunno, it’s not like someone accidentally runs for office and wins and it’s not like the pay is secret. This excuse is contains a higher dose of douchebaggery than say, “I’m moving on to spend more time with my family”. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/10 "2014-08-12T15:16:41Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I fail to see how the voters are getting fucked here. Simmonds evidently isn’t that attached to his civic duty, so what’s the harm in letting somebody else have the job? No, there’s no harm in letting someone else have the job, but he certainly deserves the public scorn he’s attracted to himself for his attitude. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/11 "2014-08-12T15:20:49Z")
I think this is an issue in Washington, DC as that’s also an expensive city. I believe a couple of House members live in their offices, and a few others [shared a house](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/garden/18roomies.html). As was said, no one who is contemplating a run for Congress or Parliament is unaware of the costs involved. (Plus there is the opportunity to cash in big time after.) ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/12 "2014-08-12T15:21:42Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Yeah, I could get the outrage if he were demanding more money, or, well, that’s all I can think of, but if he just says, “Eh, this isn’t paying me enough. I’ma going to go do something else,” then I don’t see the need for a response more strident than a shrug. If he really felt he couldn’t cope on the money (hah!), then he could have simply resigned quietly and taken a better-paying job elsewhere instead of making a big fucking fanfare about it and painting himself as hewing to some sort of principle and taking some sort of moral stance. “Oh, the situation is just _intolerable_!” Fuck _OFF_ then, you toffee-nosed shitstain, and don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out! ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/13 "2014-08-12T15:23:46Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think this is an issue in Washington, DC as that’s also an expensive city. I believe a couple of House members live in their offices, and a few others [shared a house](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/garden/18roomies.html). As was said, no one who is contemplating a run for Congress or Parliament is unaware of the costs involved. (Plus there is the opportunity to cash in big time after.) A very good point. He knew the numbers before he took the job, and being an MP is supposed to be about being a public servant. This sort of attitude just reinforces the stereotype that MPs are out-of-touch elitist wankers. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/14 "2014-08-12T15:23:56Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > That’s the point though - the pay \*is \*enough. No, it’s not. Cite: he says it’s not enough. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/15 "2014-08-12T15:33:06Z")
Just because he says so, doesn’t make it true. Many of the newspapers have scrutinised his salary, his expense allowances, his profits and the salary of his wife, and they’ve shown how he could certainly afford a home in London that’s large enough for his family and still walking distance from his work in Westminster. When many people are struggling to make do on far, far less than what he earns, his attitude just comes across as one of entitlement. As I said, good riddance to him. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/16 "2014-08-12T15:39:35Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > That’s the point though - the pay \*is \*enough. You obviously have no idea how much stockings, suspenders, oranges and bin liners cost these days! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/17 "2014-08-12T15:41:18Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > Just because he says so, doesn’t make it true. Sure it does. Just like if you ask him if he likes waffles and he answers, truthfully, no, it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/18 "2014-08-12T15:41:45Z")
> [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](#): > > You obviously have no idea how much stockings, suspenders, oranges and bin liners cost these days! And Italian-leather riding crops 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/19 "2014-08-12T15:42:36Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I fail to see how the voters are getting fucked here. Simmonds evidently isn’t that attached to his civic duty, so what’s the harm in letting somebody else have the job? Like when Sarah what’s her name walked off her job in the Frozen North. SHe wanted it so bad she pleaded with people to contribute to her campaign, and then found it wasn’t worth it to follow thru. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370/20 "2014-08-12T15:44:14Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Sure it does. Just like if you ask him if he likes waffles and he answers, truthfully, no, it’s true. We’re not talking about personal taste in breakfasts here, we’re talking about cold, hard numbers which are readily quantifiable and comparable. If his salary is _X_ and a house costs _Y_, we can show that yes, he can actually fucking afford the house. Just not one with twenty servants and a solid-gold toilet. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-mark-simmonds-fuck-off/695370.md?page=2)