Congress gives itself a "much deserved" raise

[atprm]

With economy in shambles, Congress gets a raise

By Jordy Yager
Posted: 12/17/08 05:41 PM [ET]

A crumbling economy, more than 2 million constituents who have lost their jobs this year, and congressional demands of CEOs to work for free did not convince lawmakers to freeze their own pay.

Instead, they will get a $4,700 pay increase, amounting to an additional $2.5 million that taxpayers will spend on congressional salaries, and watchdog groups are not happy about it.

“As lawmakers make a big show of forcing auto executives to accept just $1 a year in salary, they are quietly raiding the vault for their own personal gain,” said Daniel O’Connell, chairman of The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), a non-partisan group. “This money would be much better spent helping the millions of seniors who are living below the poverty line and struggling to keep their heat on this winter.”

However, at 2.8 percent, the automatic raise that lawmakers receive is only half as large as the 2009 cost of living adjustment of Social Security recipients.

Still, Steve Ellis, vice president of the budget watchdog Taxpayers for Common Sense, said Congress should have taken the rare step of freezing its pay, as lawmakers did in 2000.

“Look at the way the economy is and how most people aren’t counting on a holiday bonus or a pay raise — they’re just happy to have gainful employment,” said Ellis. “But you have the lawmakers who are set up and ready to get their next installment of a pay raise and go happily along their way.”

Member raises are often characterized as examples of wasteful spending, especially when many constituents and businesses in members’ districts are in financial despair.

Rep. Harry Mitchell, a first-term Democrat from Arizona, sponsored legislation earlier this year that would have prevented the automatic pay adjustments from kicking in for members next year. But the bill, which attracted 34 cosponsors, failed to make it out of committee.

“They don’t even go through the front door. They have it set up so that it’s wired so that you actually have to undo the pay raise rather than vote for a pay raise,” Ellis said.

Freezing congressional salaries is hardly a new idea on Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers have floated similar proposals in every year dating back to 1995, and long before that. Though the concept of forgoing a raise has attracted some support from more senior members, it is most popular with freshman lawmakers, who are often most vulnerable.

In 2006, after the Republican-led Senate rejected an increase to the minimum wage, Democrats, who had just come to power in the House with a slew of freshmen, vowed to block their own pay raise until the wage increase was passed. The minimum wage was eventually increased and lawmakers received their automatic pay hike.

In the beginning days of 1789, Congress was paid only $6 a day, which would be about $75 daily by modern standards. But by 1965 members were receiving $30,000 a year, which is the modern equivalent of about $195,000.

Currently the average lawmaker makes $169,300 a year, with leadership making slightly more. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) makes $217,400, while the minority and majority leaders in the House and Senate make $188,100.

Ellis said that while freezing the pay increase would be a step in the right direction, it would be better to have it set up so that members would have to take action, and vote, for a pay raise and deal with the consequences, rather than get one automatically.

“It is probably never going to be politically popular to raise Congress’s salary,” he said. “I don’t think you’re going to find taxpayers saying, ‘Yeah I think I should pay my congressman more’.”

[dv8grl]

Instead, they will get a $4,700 pay increase, amounting to an additional $2.5 million that taxpayers will spend on congressional salaries. Not a shock. Its almost awesome they way WE THE PEOPLE get treated by the people we put in power...

[gmyers]

They love us till they get elected and then the heck with you I'm in now. I'll do what I please. Politicians remind me of those men or women that go around conning people out of their money. They sweet talk you and then when they get what they want they drop you like a hot potato.

[ElleGee]

The only good thing is my dh gets a raise as well. He is topped out on his pay scale and cannot make as much as a congressman.

[whatever]

Yep sounds fair. The economy is in the schitter. So small businesses can't afford to give out raises (LIKE my dh's) but they deserve one because they have to make hard decisions on who needs to be bailout this week. LMAO.

[boopster]

Since they are now giving us all the finger, we must remember to give it back to them when they come around for re-election. Along with that since they have more money to put in their pockets, then it's about time they paid for their own benefits or just forgo them!

[Bahet]

Everyone at my DH's company has agreed to work one day a month for free. So they all took a pay cut because of the economy. I guess the economic crisis doesn't affect Washington. Buttheads

[janelle]

It doesn't matter if we vote them out of office, once they get elected they have it made for life with their great retirement pakages. Even if they serve only one term they are paid a good amount each year for the rest of their life.

As far as I am concerned they could stop the retirement pay for those who have only served only one term or two. Make it like every other business and pensions.

[PrincessArky]

It doesn't matter if we vote them out of office, once they get elected they have it made for life with their great retirement pakages. Even if they serve only one term they are paid a good amount each year for the rest of their life.

As far as I am concerned they could stop the retirement pay for those who have only served only one term or two. Make it like every other business and pensions.

ITA

just as bad as the ones that work for the auto makers and got such sweet deals

[renaissanceman]

How about a little perspective?

These people who "serve" are getting lifetime medical care and other benefits.

Veterans, the people who have ACTUALLY served and sacrificed for their Country, have to have a Service Connected disability to receive unpaid medical care!!!!!!

WTFrench toast?

This is why I get SO angry about the idea of Universal Health care! NO one is entitled to anything just because they had the good fortune to be born "American".

In fact, those of us who were are SO far ahead of the game, we should count ourselves lucky and call it a day.

Yet we ALWAYS want something else.....We deserve it.

[PrincessArky]

How about a little perspective?

These people who "serve" are getting lifetime medical care and other benefits.

Veterans, the people who have ACTUALLY served and sacrificed for their Country, have to have a Service Connected disability to receive unpaid medical care!!!!!!

WTFrench toast?

This is why I get SO angry about the idea of Universal Health care! NO one is entitled to anything just because they had the good fortune to be born "American".

In fact, those of us who were are SO far ahead of the game, we should count ourselves lucky and call it a day.

Yet we ALWAYS want something else.....We deserve it.

wow I didnt know that about the vets I thought they all got to go the VA hospitals for free that really does sux if they don't

ITA about the universal healthcare as well........I am a sahm, I dont have insurance because we can't afford it and I dont believe anyone else should pay for it for me........I hope if they ever are dumb enough to do it they give me the option to opt out of it

[atprm]

wow I didnt know that about the vets I thought they all got to go the VA hospitals for free that really does sux if they don't

It's more complicated than that.

and No, not everyone needs a "service connected disability" to be treated at the VA.

It depends on time served.

Things also dependent on "time served" to get benefits:

VA loan (it's not a give-in ... you have to have served more than 4 years AND have an Honorable discharge -- RE1 or RE2 ONLY...if you have RE3 or RE3B forget it)

VA healthcare (it's not a give-in... you have to have served in Viet Nam, World War 1, World War 2 or Korean War for it to be automatic no matter the time served. Anything other than that == where there is no service disability == must have served no less than 15 years...or...retirement at 20 or 30 years)

VA Prescription (it's not a give-in ... you have to have served much the same as the VA hospital care posted above, but anything other than that, retirement ONLY)

[renaissanceman]

It's more complicated than that.

and No, not everyone needs a "service connected disability" to be treated at the VA.

It depends on time served.

Things also dependent on "time served" to get benefits:

VA loan (it's not a give-in ... you have to have served more than 4 years AND have an Honorable discharge -- RE1 or RE2 ONLY...if you have RE3 or RE3B forget it)

VA healthcare (it's not a give-in... you have to have served in Viet Nam, World War 1, World War 2 or Korean War for it to be automatic no matter the time served. Anything other than that == where there is no service disability == must have served no less than 15 years...or...retirement at 20 or 30 years)

VA Prescription (it's not a give-in ... you have to have served much the same as the VA hospital care posted above, but anything other than that, retirement ONLY)

I was simplifying. I spent 4 years in the Army, "lucky" for me, I got some lung damage from my time in the gulf or I would NOT be able to be seen without paying.

This is where the VAST majority of vets fit (people under 14 years).

WHY is it exactly that our politicians think they are so much more valuable than vets?

[atprm]

WHY is it exactly that our politicians think they are so much more valuable than vets?


the same reason that the UAW feels they are more just and more valuable than non-union employees.

[ssgjeg]

It's more complicated than that.

and No, not everyone needs a "service connected disability" to be treated at the VA.

It depends on time served.

Things also dependent on "time served" to get benefits:

VA loan (it's not a give-in ... you have to have served more than 4 years AND have an Honorable discharge -- RE1 or RE2 ONLY...if you have RE3 or RE3B forget it)

VA healthcare (it's not a give-in... you have to have served in Viet Nam, World War 1, World War 2 or Korean War for it to be automatic no matter the time served. Anything other than that == where there is no service disability == must have served no less than 15 years...or...retirement at 20 or 30 years)

VA Prescription (it's not a give-in ... you have to have served much the same as the VA hospital care posted above, but anything other than that, retirement ONLY)

You might want to explain this to the VA then. Dh retired honorably after 20 yrs and served in Vietnam. He has no disability and when he called the Va a couple months ago they told him that unless he had a service related disability they could not see him.

We also have to pay partial medical. For him, me, and the kids. We get seen, then tricare gets billed and then the doctor bills the rest to us. We have no dental benefits unless we pay for the insurance, which is worthless. Which is funny because it was military dentists that messed up dh's teeth. We do at least have prescription insurance. $3 for most prescriptions.

Now, since lawmakers make so much money they should have to live with same benefits that we have to. Dh retired after 20 yrs. of service and gets around $15000/yr retirement and schitty benefits. They are elected to one term in office and never have to work another day in their lives if they don't want to. Everything is now paid for for them.

[atprm]

My brother served in Viet Nam, was in for 10 years, has no service disability, and he has medical care through the VA -- for free.

My Dad served in Korean War, was in for 8 years, has no service disability, and he has medical care throught the VA -- for free.

I was in for 20 years, honorable discharge, have VA as "kickback" (we have regular insurance through United Healthcare which we prefer to use). I have never had to utilize my "rights" at the VA...I am sure there will come a time, though, that I might have to.

[Char]

What a total crock of schitt ! I heard this on TV just a short while back (like Jay Leno), and thought it was a joke ! Unreal, just totally unreal... they're gonna make damn sure they get theirs !

[anothersta]

I've been looking for a vote tally to see who voted for this and who against. If anyone comes up with that, please let me know. I've not been able to find it so far.

[tsquared]

What a total crock of schitt ! I heard this on TV just a short while back (like Jay Leno), and thought it was a joke ! Unreal, just totally unreal... they're gonna make damn sure they get theirs !

And why would you think this version of the MOB would be any different than any others?

[meltodd69]

Why am I not shocked?
If they weren't going to take thier much deserved raises it would have been all over the news. From the moment they thought it would happen. Patting themselves on the back.
Do as we say not as we do!

[renaissanceman]

This is just ONE more indication of how we can NOT trust these people.

ALL of our government is pretty much controlled by Dems right now....You know, the party that is supposed to care for the average joe.

Yet they repeatedly piss on average American's!! These people do NOT care about most American's, they care about CONTROL.

Don't get me wrong, the Republicans aren't much better.

It amazes me though, just how many people felt our country was "headed in the wrong direction". Do we REALLY think that making abortion for teens without parental consent legal, mollycoddling our enemies and handwringing when things go wrong, giving people MORE welfare encouraging people to stay in their place. Letting felons earn a path to vote again, giving away visas and greencards at a break neck pace while jobs dry up here for current American's.......


UGGGH! I could go on all day. Let's just see where we are as a nation in about 3 years. I can guarantee that we won't be better off. Of course everyone who makes under the poverty line might think things are better.....

Thats what it is all about after all. Make people think that things are just fine where they are. Don't encourage them to change their lives and make a better one for themselves.

Don't get me started on the dems and their Gun Control agenda! Everyone whines over Bush's abuses of the Constitution!!!

Name me ONE single way that anything the Bush administration has done, has made you noticeably LESS free?

You can't. While warrantless wire tapping IS horrible, in point of fact, it will never change anything for law abiding citizens.

Gun control? THAT changes everything and DOES make us less free.

When the government tells us what weapons we can and can't own, how many we can own, what types of ammo we can buy etc etc. We have started to lose our freedoms. That is a slippery slope that can easily lead to a facist state. Of course, that could never happen right?

Only Republicans would abuse their authority?