Congress Wants a Pay Raise
by Big Dog on Jun 28, 2007 at 21:33 Uncategorized
It should come as no surprise that members of Congress want a pay raise. After all, that is how Congress rewards itself for having a 14% approval rating and for forcing things on America that she clearly does not want. Members of Congress are seeking a 4% increase (just slightly lower than their approval) which will amount to a little over $4000. The Democrats stopped the pay raise last year by indicating that they would not accept one until the minimum wage was increased which explains why that was one of the first things on their agenda and why they attached it to a war funding bill. They are all greedy.
Members of Congress do not have to vote for pay raises because they are automatic unless they vote against them. This makes them automatic and keeps them out of the public’s eye. It also allows them to say that they did not vote for a Congressional pay raise. Since most people do not know how this whole thing works, they miss the deception of their elected leaders.
The folks in Congress give many reasons for needing a pay raise. First of all they gave up being paid for speeches so they need that annual increase. Most of them have to maintain two houses and that costs money. They also claim that paying them more money prevents rich people from running for and getting into office.
First of all, we are paying them to govern so they should not be running around making speeches for money. If that is what they want to do then they should leave office and do it, Bill Clinton seems to make an adequate living at it. Secondly, if they are having problems because they have two houses then they should leave office and go back home. There are many people in this country who do not have the luxury of one home much less two. But I am willing to have dormitory style barracks built for them. They can all live in the dorms at taxpayer expense or they can rent (or buy) outside at their own expense. In any event, taxpayers should not be buying them houses or paying their rent. Consider it a job expense for all the other perks.
As for the rich people in government argument, that is the most ridiculous. A great number of the members of Congress are rich. They pay more in taxes on their wealth than they earn in Congress so this argument does not wash. In 2005 (the latest list I could find and I am sure there is a newer list) there were at least 25 members of the House and 25 in the Senate that had anywhere from 9 to 284 million dollars. The idea that their pay keeps rich people from running the country is stupid at best.
That is not to say there are not poorer members. Russ Feingold has a small net worth and some members whose net worth is negative (which should not be surprising if they spend their money like they spend ours). However, that does not negate the idea that the statement was patently stupid.
Congress needs to earn its pay. If they want a pay raise then they should do something to earn it. They can secure the border, put a moratorium on immigration, prosecute employers who break the law, balance the budget, and put country before politics. Then, we might just agree that they need a raise.
Tags: Commentary
I agree with you BD. But… How do we get this turned around to where They have to ask Us for the raise.. I think if this were the way it worked , wed have lots of them finding other employment.
Im very serious about this.. They were pretty slick when they decided to vote themselves an automatic pay raise.. I think we should find a way to reverse this and have them ask us first. I can see this happening. bj1boo