Congress divided about giving itself a pay raise

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

[SmoothTalker]

"In no other job can you give yourself a raise. "

Sure you can. It's like being on a board, or being the owner of a bussiness.

[Calpernia]

I sure would love to have these salary options available for voting by US since we pay them.

[Little Ray]

This is why Congresscritters and Senator should employeess of their state governments and have salaries and expenses paid by the same. Then they would not have a say in this matter (except to quit if they didn't like their pay!). As it is, they represent themselves to the Federal Government, not the States and the People.

[tumblindice]

"In no other job . . ."
There are plenty of jobs where the workers give themselves a raise. Usually they are small businesses, a sole proprietership. Difference there is, they own the business and can do what they please.
Here the congressmen work for us. Vote against any congressman voting him/herself a raise.

[Wolfie]

At $160,000, this moron makes a hell lot more than me.

With a pension and benefits that are unequaled in private industry. Send these assclowns home next election.

[Little Ray]

They shouldn't have a second residence in DC. Each state should maintain its own compound and their Senators and representatives should live there.

[reelfoot]

After spending our tax dollars at a greater clip than during the Lyndon Johnson administration, the only thing I see these guys deserving is a tar-and-feathering.

[Kokojmudd]

"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.

More future minority party talk from our wonderful republican leadership

[caver]

"With a pension and benefits that are unequaled in private industry. Send these assclowns home next election."

Oh yes, I forgot the pensions. The company I work for is eliminating pensions. I've been here for over 26 years and was told that I would have a pension whe I hired in. Not anymore.

[ops33]

I have never been able to figure out how these annual pay raises do not violate the 27th Ammendment to the Constitution.

[MurryMom]

I hope my congresscritter, Melissa Hart, votes herself a nice big fat pay raise.

[KarlInOhio]

the overwhelming Senate support for the pay freeze "is another indicator that we are getting serious about controlling federal spending."

My seriousness about dieting and weight loss is shown by ordering the large fries once a month instead of the super size ones I usually have.

If these cuts of $3,100 per year per Congressman is kept up for 132 years it would pay for Alaska's Bridge to Nowhere.

[Triggerhippie]

The pay raise, which automatically kicks in unless it is blocked...

What a great scheme/scam!

[Triggerhippie]

Business owners don't get raises, they have to EARN them.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Okay 1.9 percent is not that big a raise. I get a 3 to 5 percent myself but it is the principle of the thing.

I have not exactly been overwhelmed with their performance this year..or last year..or the year before that..

No raise for you!

[MadIvan]

They should be made to cut pork barrel spending in order to finance their pay rise.

Regards, Ivan

[Always Right]

Tie Congression pay to the Federal Deficit. The bigger tha deficit, the smaller their pay!

[metesky]

I bet these guys don't reach into their own pockets more than once a month, if that.

[mewzilla]

You can't use tact with a Congressman! A Congressman is a hog! You must take a stick and hit him on the snout!

Henry B. Adams

[Dan from Michigan]

Congress is spending more than it can afford. It doesn't deserve payraises.

And $160,000 isn't modest. I live off of a lot less.