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$4,700 raise for memebers of Congress.

Oftencold

DP Veteran
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
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Location
A small village in Alaska
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Very Conservative
In the musical 1776, John Addams, near to despair
over Congress' inaction on declaring Independence,
Sings out to God:

I do believe you've laid a curse on North America
A curse that we now here rehearse in Philadelphia
A second flood, a simple famine
Plagues of locusts everywhere
Or a cataclysmic earthquake
I'd accept with some despair
But, no, you sent us Congress.
Good God, sir, was that fair?

Tonight. I feel close to John.

Just take a moment to relish the thought. The Congress with the lowest approval rating in history, the one that has abrogated most of its authority to the President, the one that has decided to give away money in amounts that probably can't be entered into a standard calculator, have given themselves a $4,700 a year raise.

Savor this thought when you begin work on your income tax returns next month.

Hopefully you an take some satisfaction that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are receiving this increased compensation while so many Americans try to decide whether to by gasoline or home heating fuel during a global financial crisis largely created by Congressional action.


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Congressional pay will not be based on public approval. Congressional pay is meant to keep up with wages and inflation. This is not ridiculous.

I believe we should move to our original pay plan. Congressional pay was determined on how many days they were is congress($6.00 a day back then).
 

You are correct, however, the same increase percent should be also given to every worker and retired who's pay is also "meant to keep up with wages and inflation."
 
Public servants should work for minimum wage.
 
Kernel Sanders said:
Would you really support cutting Congress' salary to minimum wage?
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Why not? I'm a volunteer EMT, on call 24/7. I get a stipend of $5 per run. I fill the role because my little village has the need, and I wish to serve.

Imagine if your government were populated by people with similar motivation.
 
Middleground said:
As if there isn't enough corruption now. How would this work, IT, and who the hell would want the job?
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While you have somewhat of a point, these clowns aren't in it for the money to begin with. They could bull**** their way to much more money in the corporate world. Most of these clowns are wealthy as well. It would actually give them incentives to limit their terms. If they made a million dollars a year they would still be corrupt. Look at Enron. I mean seriously, how can you run an energy company into the ground? Being greedy and taking stupid risks ethically and finacially is how.

People who want power and connections seek elected office. It isn't about the money. The corruption isn't about not making enough money either.
 

Yeah, but how did these clowns become wealthy? I wonder. Bottom line, you're right about the corruption. The question is, how to stop it? I don't think cutting salaries is the answer, but I doubt there's anything that is sure fire. I think getting rid of lobbyist is a good start, though.
 

Yes, lobbyists are a problem. Unless we let robots represent us, we will always have corruption.
 
Congressional pay will not be based on public approval.
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How ironic. The one thing our Congress will not expose to popular opinion is their salaries.

Congressional pay is meant to keep up with wages and inflation. This is not ridiculous.
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And convenient too! Every time one of their senseless economic policies causes inflation they can simply compensate themselves at our expense.
 
Ethereal said:
How ironic. The one thing our Congress will not expose to popular opinion is their salaries.



And convenient too! Every time one of their senseless economic policies causes inflation they can simply compensate themselves at our expense.
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I always wonder if they will take a pay cut during periods of deflation. :mrgreen:
 
independent_thinker2002 said:
I always wonder if they will take a pay cut during periods of deflation. :mrgreen:
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Amazingly, in some third world countries the president, the congress and members of the parliament in general took a pay cut (from their miserable salaries) to demonstrate that they are making a sacrifice for their country in times of inflation...however, they do not have the same pay cut from the "cuts" their receive from private companies...

Let me try again...

...

...just forget it...
 
independent_thinker2002 said:
Yes, lobbyists are a problem. Unless we let robots represent us, we will always have corruption.
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I think Lobbyists in general get a bum rap. They are in principle anyone who goes to Washington to present a petition, position or proposition to our elected representatives. While there have obliviously been "bad apples," I think it's just a little too convenient for lazy journalists or sleazy politicians to say the lobbyists are to blame.
 

Yes, there are good lobbyists. They aren't all bad. But the corruption does involve plenty of them.
 
americanwoman said:


Are you saying we don't have people, who are really robots to their parties, represent us? I'm confused cause there is no way in hell this... thing.... is a real person.

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That's an exception to the rule. :mrgreen:
 
Wouldn't that ensure that only rich, corrupt douchebags run for office, because only they could afford to take minimum wage for their time in Congress?
 
Pinu7 said:
Well then how will they provide for their families? Accepting the difference in lobbying donations. Unless they were to all make best selling books.
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You may have missed the part were they are wealthy. They aren't in session year round. Instead of panhandling for campaign contributions, they raise money for their family. Spouses often work too.
 
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