Posted on 11/20/2011 3:17:23 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Lawmakers who've endorsed Rick Perry for president reacted warily to his plan for a part-time Congress and expressed concern about his proposal to cut their salaries in half.
In response to inquiries from The Hill, the lawmakers disagreed with some aspects of the plan but said they liked other parts, such as the idea of spending more time in their districts.
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) vowed to continue to stand by Perry, although he wasn’t necessarily on board with all of the Texas governor's plans.
“I don’t anticipate that I’m going to agree with everything he says,” Inhofe said.
At issue was halving lawmaker pay, which according to Inhofe, could lead to an independently wealthy Congress run by “Rockefellers and people like that, many of whom don’t really have the sensitivities to the real world.”
According to Perry supporter Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), we might already be there.
“With campaign finance reform laws being the way they are now, with McCain-Feingold, you’re almost moving to that anyway because it’s so hard to raise money that you almost have moved to a situation where there is a political class that runs,” he said....
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
The pay a Congress critter makes is not that important to them anyway.
That is not where the real perks come in.
They real deal comes from Insider trading, Lobbyists who give them free stuff under the table, trips around the world on our dime. Deals here and a gifts there.A staff of people to kiss their ass daily, free rides, the perks are amazing, they live like kings at our expense.
Some of the new members probably need the salary for a while , but for some reason those who have been there a while say 25 to 30 years appear to do very well with that salary.The salary and the treasure chest campaign slush funds they build up.
The fact that he talks about making congress do anything is unconstitutional at best.
That’s why getting them out of Washington and back to the people is so critical.
I think a worthy idea, if somebody could be so kind to forward it to Rick Perry is to have each congress person, when they vote, to have to vote in their district.
Kinda hard to vote to fill their purse strings when their vote are televised and watched by their constituents. Don’t allow them to vote when they are in Washington, when they have some amount of cover.
he is also saying everyone in WDC should be doing the same - I agree with him
Going part time and spending more time in their districts and not rooting themselves in DC is enticing however.
I question how much a POTUS can do to make it happen but it is a good idea IMO.
Staffers in Congress and in the Federal agencies flourish in the rat-holes of influence.
They are overpaid, stay too long - and by necessity are ‘big government’ advocates.
Job security!
Won’t be La Raza Rick, especially since he set himself up as Dictator-for-Life of Tejas.
What Perry WANTS is to get elected President. That’s it.
Ron Paul is the only one I've heard so far.
Cutting salaries exclusively of Congressmembers will only ensure that nothing but millionaires serve. Those folks of modest means (more likely OUR people) won’t be able to afford to do so. It’s the bureaucracy that needs to be cut down.
They all want to be elected president.
It is just a question of how much you believe they’ll attempt to follow through on their promises.
And Perry has a record of downloading responsibility unto the people and away from government.
Yup. And they’re like a cancer that keeps spreading, larger gubmint begatting larger gubmint until the costs bankrupt us, and we’ve reached critical mass. I’m in favor of getting rid of civil service... they are overrun by leftists permanently ensconced regardless of whom is in power in the Exec/Congress/SCOTUS. Let it go back to the 19th century standards of filling it with your people for 2/4/8 years and out you go for the next administration. At least we know who those hacks will be loyal to.
How so?
Coming from a man who is an opportunistic career politician who refuses to relinquish the Governorship after a reasonable period of time, his claims to support “limited Government” is highly laughable. Watch what politicians DO, not just what they say.
Because a president is only one branch of co equal branches of government. A president can’t dictate when the legislative branch works or how much they’re paid. He can only ask.
I’m not sure if, as long as he’s doing his job to the satisfaction of his constituents, if it’s necessary for him to resign his position.
Most people don’t resign their jobs, if they are applying for work elsewhere or preparing for new careers. You’d have to make the case to me the necessity of a politician resigning, if he’s still able to do his job in a responsible manner.
I didn't see anything in the article that indicates a "dictation" to Congress. I see a man with a "plan proposed" and seeking Congressional supporters. Has he mentioned in maybe other speeches about this topic of using an "Executive Order" to accomplish this? I am not aware of any but maybe you have. If so, could you direct me to that info?
If anything needs to be cut, it is their $multi-million in perks.
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