We interrupt your regularly scheduled program...

[trof]

to bring you a RANT about Republicans in congress.

"Congress members in 2008 will receive salaries of $169,300, a boost of $4,100 over the salary they have had since January 2006."
In January of 2009 it goes to $174,000.
This includes all members of congress, senators and representatives.
Except 'leaders'.
Speaker of the House gets $217,400
Majority and minority leaders of both chambers and Senate president pro temporare each get $188,100
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-09-Raise-me_N.htm

Of course congress can't vote 'themselves' pay raises.
Oh no.
Any pay raises they vote on can't take effect until the NEXT session.
But, gee whiz, 95% of them get re-elected, year in and year out.
So there you go.
:eyes:

The repugs in congress could couldn't care less about the hundreds of thousands who will be out of work if they don't help the Big 3.
As usual, they've got theirs and to hell with the rest of us.

So I would propose that congressional salaries be tied to performance.
Some (very small) percentage combination of GDP increases, trade (Im)balance, inflation, the national debt, the current spending deficit, etc.

A bunch of economists can come up with a multiplier.
And it should reflect negative as well as positive numbers.

I figure that over the last 8 years they would owe us money.
A monthly check would be nice.
:-)

[trof]

1. How do you get 3 recs and no replies?

Ah.
<light bulb moment>
EVERYONE agrees!
No comments needed.
Yep.
That's it.
:-)

[Mnemosyne]

2. I heartily agree, trof! KnR. n/t

[onethatcares]

3. I believe that we have to vote "out".

Ny wife and I were having this same discussion on the way back from buying a pair of shoes this evening. We have a governor that wants to sell a political office, no more no less, a royalty class that serves only itself, father and son teams that never leave government while complaining government is the problem. A speaker of the house and her buddie that don't give a rats ass about the average working people unless it keeps them in a six figure salary and a great health care plan. I don't believe the founders thought it would be like this.

[trof]

5. Totally agree. The founding fathers would be very disappointed in 'us'.

[Greyhound]

4. You're right. Another of the endless outrages we no longer even want to hear about. K&R n/t

[trof]

6. Thank you.

[Greyhound]

8. Just in case some interested people missed it earlier.

:kick:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. All this and health care too.

And a pension.

Public servants my pasty white... eyebrows.

:grr: