Lawmaker calls Congress 'underpaid', objects to salary freeze

[Jhhnn]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-rt-us-usa-congress-salary-20140404,0,7747191.story

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers have quietly gone along with an annual salary freeze since 2010, but a Virginia Democrat has had enough and said members of Congress are underpaid.

Representative Jim Moran, who is not seeking re-election in November, has objected to fiscal 2015 spending legislation that calls for another pay freeze for Congress, keeping lawmakers' salaries at $174,000 a year.



Is he fucking nuts? 174k is underpaid?

Blowin' the ol' dog whistle, I see. Yep, you set 'em to salivating & howling at the moon.

Good job!

 

[Jhhnn]

It should be a part time job with pay commensurate. In other words far, far less than they're getting now. Their jobs need to be restored to ones of public service. No more career politicians that glean pensions and benefits for an extremely minimal amount of time on the job. The whole fucking system has been bastardized beyond recognition of the original intent.

Remember that any "solution" presented by the very people that are the problem is no solution at all. A fix to the problem of our elected representatives must come from outside of their circle. It will without a doubt have to be forced down their throats.

Make it one of those deals where they serve for free. That way, only the wealthy will be able to do it.

Or figure out what pay level it takes to attract talent, put the same COLA provisions with it as for SS.

 

[HomerJS]

It is, when you consider all the kickbacks and perks and bennies add up to the millions.



Seriously, its Americas fault. They keep voting for the same cocksuckers over and over again. Some of those fuckheads have been in office from age 30 to 80.

We got what we wanted, a pile of fat lazy overpaid useless conniving self-serving assholes who would not be able to hold a paper route if it wasnt for the warm, safe nest capital hill provides.

We need to clean the whole bunch of them out, replace them with guys who actually care about America, and keep close tabs on the gang after that.

That job should NOT be fun. It should be a grueling task only the most motivated, dedicated, hardcore, patriotic human being would wanna do. If they ever get comfortable then the system has failed. WE have failed.

STOP VOTING FOR THEM YOU FUCKIN MORONS!

As long as laws allow congressional districts to be drawn like linguine this is what we get.

Congressional job approval 13%
Incumbents reelected >90%

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Representative Jim Moran, who is not seeking re-election in November, has objected to fiscal 2015 spending legislation that calls for another pay freeze for Congress, keeping lawmakers' salaries at $174,000 a year.

Is he fucking nuts? 174k is underpaid?

When you consider how much money our politicians are making for the 1%, they really are underpaid.

 

[boomerang]

Make it one of those deals where they serve for free. That way, only the wealthy will be able to do it.

Too late. From a source you're sure to love.

Majority In Congress Are Millionaires

Your dogma is yet again affecting your judgment.

 

[Anarchist420]

the house of rulers must not only be corrupt, they must also be idiots if they make 174k a year, get medical care that is free to them, are 57 years old on average, and only have a mean net worth of $1mn.

 

[RFE]

Blowin' the ol' dog whistle, I see. Yep, you set 'em to salivating & howling at the moon.

Good job!

Every single time I visit these forums, there you are with some of the most absurd posts.

 

[Incorruptible]

Every single time I visit these forums, there you are with some of the most absurd posts.

Agree. His posts are just insane BS and he spouts too much nonsense.

 

[her209]

174k is absurdly low considering state colleges and university presidents make more than that. In some instances, the state college sports coaches make even more than the presidents do.

 

[waggy]

Every single time I visit these forums, there you are with some of the most absurd posts.

He is apolitical hack. IF you notice the article mentions a D. when that happens he don't care about what is said. just that its something against the Dems.

now if it was Rep he would be bitching about how fucking idiotic he is.

best to just ignore him. really.



question though! what can we do? the political system is fucking broke. it's not a GOP or Dem thing. both sides are horribly corrupt and not looking out for the people. What can the people do to change that? or is it even possible?

 

[boomerang]

What can the people do to change that? or is it even possible?

Support the Article V movement in your state.

http://conventionofstates.com/

Our Founders provided a means for the Constitution to be amended in a manner that circumvents Congress. They knew that eventually we would reach this point. Instead of wasting 45 minutes of your time here today, put that time to better use exploring the site linked above.

 

[IGBT]

we need to flush the political toilet as often as needed to get rid of parasites like this slouch. If they want more..move on and get a real job.

 

[Wreckem]

They should be subject to a review by a citizens committee since they work for us. Not many jobs where you can give yourself a raise.

They are, it is called elections. The constitution allows them the power to give themselves raises.

 

[Wreckem]

174k is absurdly low considering state colleges and university presidents make more than that. In some instances, the state college sports coaches make even more than the presidents do.

There are Assistant Superintendents that make more than Congressmen. There are Superintendents that make more than the President. Most University Presidents make more than the President. Every NCAA Division I Football coach, and most basketball coaches make more than any politician in the US.

 

[Wreckem]

the house of rulers must not only be corrupt, they must also be idiots if they make 174k a year, get medical care that is free to them, are 57 years old on average, and only have a mean net worth of $1mn.

Almost any Congressman can leave office and make $500k to $1million+. The senior staff members for Congressmen typically leave and easily make $250-500k.

 

[Wreckem]

the house of rulers must not only be corrupt, they must also be idiots if they make 174k a year, get medical care that is free to them, are 57 years old on average, and only have a mean net worth of $1mn.

They pay what every other federal employee pays for federal health benefits.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-rt-us-usa-congress-salary-20140404,0,7747191.story

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers have quietly gone along with an annual salary freeze since 2010, but a Virginia Democrat has had enough and said members of Congress are underpaid.

Representative Jim Moran, who is not seeking re-election in November, has objected to fiscal 2015 spending legislation that calls for another pay freeze for Congress, keeping lawmakers' salaries at $174,000 a year.



Is he fucking nuts? 174k is underpaid?

Nevermind the political connections and business connections they all have access to and the lobbying dollars that flow through their hands. Which makes it no wonder why the vast majority of politicians in both houses end up being millionaires before they retire. Really fuck that noise.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

When you consider how much money our politicians are making for the 1%, they really are underpaid.

Underpaid???? Most of these fuckers are millionaires. Much of this is due to the vast opportunity of social networking that goes on in D.C. that allows them to benefit in more ways then I can count.

 

[Fern]

While it's fun to hate on Congresspersons I can see that at some point the issue of their compensation might need to be reexamined.

Some reasons against:

- $174k ain't peanuts

- Currently bad economy where many others don't have jobs, mush less getting raises

- Massive debt.

- Some independently wealthy (this, IMO, is not so much as reason as why they shouldn't but a reason why they don't need it)

Some reasons for:

- In this day-n-age it's a full time job. They really can't have another job back home. In fact, I believe they're not allowed to.

- They must support two households. I think Washington DC housing is expensive and that should be taken into account. And neither the DC housing or their home district housing will be tax deductible, unlike many who work out-of-town.

- Transportation costs of returning home. Hopefully that's reimbursabled, but I don't know the specifics.

Unless we want only fat cats in office, we need to make sure more 'average' people can serve without being driven into major debt.

I see that many Congressperson are now living in the office instead of renting an apartment or buying a condo. Here's a link with some info about it: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-s...gop-congressman-tax-criminal-sleeping-his-off

I also note that Lawrence O'Donnell is, as is often the case, making an ass of himself.

Fern

 

[piasabird]

Lawmakers are suppose to go home during recess to speak to their constituents. Not live in a penthouse in D.C.. They also receive an allowance for a secretary and a free office in the capital. Free health club also. Before you listen to all the lies make sure you know a little about what they are really paid.

They can probably get all the free meals on K-street that they can eat.

 

[Fern]

Lawmakers are suppose to go home during recess to speak to their constituents. Not live in a penthouse in D.C..
-snip-

Where are they supposed to live/sleep while in session?

Fern

 

[piasabird]

http://library.clerk.house.gov/reference-files/113_20130124_Salary.pdf

You might also want to read up on the other ways lawmakers are paid.
$3,000 tax deduction for expenses - Not really that much.
They also receive Member Representational Allowance(MRA). In 2012 total MRA for congress was $573.9 Mill. I think this may include a home office and travel.

 

[piasabird]

I made a lot less last year than they do. I manage to buy a house. I imagine an apartment in DC is around $1 Mil. I have heard of some representatives that share apartments or live in their office.

 

[piasabird]

When I as in the Army I slept in a room with 3 guys with a wall locker, bed, desk, and we shared a bathroom. Welcome to the real world.

 

[boomerang]

When I as in the Army I slept in a room with 3 guys with a wall locker, bed, desk, and we shared a bathroom. Welcome to the real world.

And you knew what you were getting into and elected Reps do to.

Guys like Moran remind me of some teachers. They went through some trials and tribulations to get the job only to then bitch about the hours, the commitment and the pay among other things. Cry me a fucking river. Congress critters knew full well what they were getting into. If it's that tough, serve one term and shag ass out of the job. They don't because they like the perks that go with the position. I use to work for a guy that would say, "You've got to learn to take the bitter with the sweet". It fully applies in this case.