Congress divided about giving itself a pay raise

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER ^ | 10-23-05 | Judy Holland

[Doogle]

....if I was as negligent as the US Congress, I would've been told to take a pay cut!!

Doogle

[wolfpat]

I would've been fired.
Oh wait. I was. Maybe we need to fire some of our congressmen, BEGINNING WITH MINE (Etheridge-D).

[Piquaboy]

You beat me to it. A pay cut is really what they deserve.

[cripplecreek]

I suspect that they won't be able to reach an agreement and will get a raise anyway.

[goldstategop]

Real smart. They complain its too costly to maintain two residences. Well isn't a public career a sacrifice? They think they should be rewarded with an awful lot of money for not doing nearly enough... they do get a lot of breaks. How hard can it be to sit on committee hearings, write bills and vote? They think the American people are ingrates for not approving of their desire for more pay.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")

[SMARTY]

"Most members of Congress probably have more debt after they've been in Congress for a few years then they had when they came to Congress," Blunt said, adding that keeping residences in two places is costly.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also backs the raise.

SPARE ME!!! These guys won't be happy till we are all begging in the streets!

[caver]

""Most of our members are not individuals of great resources, they're families trying to send kids to college," said House Republican Leader Roy Blunt, R-Mo., defending his support for a pay raise."

At $160,000, this moron makes a hell lot more than me. He needs a pay cut. If he's that worried about his salary, then he can find a job in the private sector. Some Republican.

[KOZ.]

Good. I think these guys deserve it. hell, give them double what they make now, or triple it even. what sacrafice, what fortitude, the best of the best and even when the.........BWAHAHAHAHAHA...sorry, couldnt keep a straight face :)

[Kimmers]

Maybe they could apply for FEMA housing....they are walking disasters anyway

[SmoothTalker]

How about we give them a pay raise when they cut enough spending to get our budget back in the black.

[SMARTY]

Do they make NO demands on themselves? Don't they know how to economize? All they have to do is talk to any TAXPAYER, and they will get all the information about economizing and retrenching they need.

[goldstategop]

The phrase, "productive politician" is an oxymoron.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")

[sergeantdave]

Hillary is worth $13 million?

Looks like investing in cattle and kissing terrorists pays good bucks. Or is it the other way around?

[tumblindice]

Most crows would blush under these circumstances but our congress-critters mull over when, rather than whether, they can `jack' their paychecks.
Nice work if you can get it: great benefits, but short for 'walkin' around' money? Well heck, just vote yourself a raise!
27th Amendment, US Constitution


While Hamilton (Fed. # 67) had their number way back when:
http://www.law.ou.edu/hist/federalist

[SmoothTalker]

""Most of our members are not individuals of great resources, they're families trying to send kids to college," said House Republican Leader Roy Blunt, R-Mo., defending his support for a pay raise.""

A). Most of them are very well off and Congress is filled with Kerry's, and Bill Frist's who are worth a fortune.
B). When was the last time you ever heard of someone who was poor being in congress?
C). 160k is an income most Americans can only dream of.

[Redleg Duke]

"Most of our members are not individuals of great resources, they're families trying to send kids to college,"

Well, shucky-darns, most of the constituents are the same. Why don't you ask us if we can afford to give you guys a pay raise?

[goldstategop]

I guess life in Washington is too hard. Whassa matter - they can't find good help on what they have? With what they're paid, they could save enough to send their kids to college. And don't forget - their pension plan puts private sector retirement plans to shame. They're well-provided for in office and when they decide its too boring to hang around the Capitol, they get 90% of their lifetime pay. Not a bad deal for a Congresscritter.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")

[Kimmers]

Do they also get paid for the speaking engagements?

[goldstategop]

In no other job can you give yourself a raise. That what makes people. Even union workers who get guaranteed contract pay hikes, have had to give a lot of it back to keep their jobs. This doesn't sit well with average folks who would love to be paid better and have to stretch every dollar they have to take care of their expenses and support their families. Our elite has no idea what life is like for most of their constituents.

("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")