Should Congress practice what they preach?
@thegreatdebater (7316)
United States
November 5, 2011 8:12am CST
While republicans are calling for less spending, and cutting public workers pay and benefits, one group of public employees has been exempted from these cuts so far. The United States Congress has the best pension plan and Medical Insurance in the country, and they have refused to even consider looking at cuts in these programs even though the country is hurting, and other pension plans and insurance are being reduced, or cut. But, there is one man (Rep. Howard Coble) who is trying to stop this, and he is getting very little to no help from his his fellow congressman. One congressman (Rep. Dennis Ross) has come out and said that he supports this bill, but in true Washington politics, Mr. Ross is chairman of the subcommittee where these bill go through, and he said the reason this hasn't been looked at is because it isn't a top priority. Once the cameras were on him he said that they will vote on this before January, but we will see what happens. Do you think that we should call on our Congressman and Women to make the same cut to their own plans that they are making to other federal employees?
http://abcnews.go.com/US/chris-cuomos-give-break-congressional-perks/story?id=14884393
2 people like this
11 responses
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
5 Nov 11
The sad part of this is that they get these huge pensions when they leave office, then they end up on corporate boards making twice as much as that to do little to nothing. It would be nice if the American people could vote on these things instead of all of the elitist in Washington.
1 person likes this
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
6 Nov 11
This is a very big problem with our country, only a small amount of people actually care about politics. Most only care if they think it effects their lives, but they don't understand that it effects their lives all the time. But, this is how politicians stay in office, they don't have to worry about people paying attention to them, and their actions.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
6 Nov 11
Um, if only a Representatives are willing to support this, why do you give a pass to every Democrat who doesn't?
That being said, if the details of the actual bill are acceptable, yeah, I'd support this too!
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
6 Nov 11
Oh, I'm not defending Republicans here, I just wondered why you specifically targeted Republicans in the House of Representatives.
But as a state side note, that's one of the things I like about Gov. Walker. Elected officials actually have to pay a higher percentage for medical insurance than the rank and file state employees.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
6 Nov 11
The reason I mentioned Republicans is that the chairman of this sub committee is a republican, and the sponsor of this bill is a Democrat. Even though both parties have had total control of the government neither has attempted to pass this legislation. I also point this about because in many states, including mine, republicans are going after spending across the border except when it comes to their perks, and benefits. Here in Ohio the 100% republican controlled government passed a bill that froze wages on all public sector employees except for one group: THEM!!! They get a 3% COLI increase every year, and that WON'T be eliminated in this bill. They also aren't forced to pay more for their pensions, or health care. While the rest of the public employees have to.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Our governor would NEVER do ANYTHING that would make him pay more money unless he was getting compensated for that. I have no idea how he was elected governor, but I can tell you that I have already signed his petition for impeachment.
@HawaiiGopher (1009)
• Belgium
6 Nov 11
While I definitely agree that cutting Congressional pensions is an honorable pursuit, will it really have that much of an effect? Most, if not all, of Congress consists of millionaires and billionaires. We can cut their perks, but something tells me they'll largely come unscathed. The United States is a textbook definition of plutocracy. It'd be nice to see them accept cuts on principal, but politicians will be politicians...
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
7 Nov 11
Is the point to "stick it to them", or to simply take the incentive out of being a career Senator or Representative? If it's just about sticking it to the rich, then well, there's nothing honorable about supporting it.
@HawaiiGopher (1009)
• Belgium
7 Nov 11
I think part of the purpose would be to get them to practice what they speak. If they want to put in place austerity measures on the population they're meant to represent, they should be willing to take some cuts too. The fact that almost all of them are wealthy people often means they're pretty much unaffected by the measures they put in place. They don't really care about what the cuts will be seeing as they're extremely distant from it all. They can then pull out their noble speeches about a "common sacrifice," but clearly they're not going to be affected in any way. Accepting a cut would be a symbolic gesture that they're going to share in the sacrifice and not just gobble up more tax dollars. But, as I said before, they're not even willing to that.
@HawaiiGopher (1009)
• Belgium
7 Nov 11
Oh, and upon further thought, I'd also like to add that I completely agree that we should be trying to put measures that take away incentives for career politicians. However, once again, how far would you have to go for it to really have an effect? Seeing as they're already wealthy, what's to tell you they're not simply doing it for the additional power it brings?
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I agree with you completely. There have been a small handful of congressman, both democrats and republicans, who have tried to push legislation reducing congressional pay and benefits, but they are typically young members with no clout and they get shut down without anyone even looking at their bills. One even pointed out that congress hasn't taken a pay cut since the Great Depression, but he couldn't get any airtime on the networks to spread that message. It's just sad.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I think that the more people that know about this, the more chance we all have for change in Washington. Maybe we should just pay these guys minimum wage? The problem with that is they would just raise minimum wage to $100 an hour, so they can make what THEY think they are worth (which I am sure many of us would agree is closer to minimum wage).
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I would like them to get the median income of the state or district they represent. I think that would be fair. In Florida, for example, state senators make $42,000 a year. State congressman make $33,000 a year. $42,000 isn't far from the median household income and $33,000 is still a little higher than the per capita income.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
5 Nov 11
Agreed. I just disagree with making this one a stink about the Republicans in particular. Protecting their careers and padding their salaries is an infectious disease running throughout politics, and it doesn't matter the letter beside someone's name.
They should cut their plans so that other people's packages don't have to be cut. I'd rather see an FBI agent get to keep his or her money than seeing a FUBAR career politician keep theirs.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
5 Nov 11
The reason I bring up republicans is because the chairman of this subcommittee is a republican, and he has said some positive things about this, but will he do the right thing? We will see. I also point this out because of a prime example of the elitist political climate we live in. Here in Ohio our totally republican controlled government has tried to force through freezes on wages, and increase the cost for health insurance, and their pension plans. There is only one group that is exempt from this legislation: ELECTED OFFICIALS. These elitist get a 3% COLI every year, and the governor and his staff have increased their own pay, and are payed bonuses, which are outlawed by this legislation for other public workers. Why our multimillionaire governor needs more money, and bonuses is beyond me, but I am sure you WON'T see him give the money back.
Now people are fighting these cuts on state employees using the legislatures lack of control on their own pay, and the people are listen to them. I agree the people that work for a living should be treated the same way as those that have the best part time job in the world. But, I think it is fair to say that it won't happen anytime soon.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
6 Nov 11
This guy has been pushing this for over 20 years now, so it isn't like he just started his. By the way, a final report came out about those $16 muffins, and they weren't $16, when they make out the bill they don't itemize everything so they put a brief description of what was offered. The hotel itself criticized this when it came out, but was drowned out by all of the right wingers. The funny part about this is that anyone who has ever set up a meeting off site, which happens everyday at the RNC, they would know that this is a common practice by hotels.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I doubt it. They can pay lip service to these ideas, but they never really go anywhere. I'm cynical enough at this point to say that the only reason this guy is even broaching the topic is because he knows it's safe.
It's like me going out to dinner with my uncle. I can float the idea that I'll pick up the check, but I know he won't let that happen. He'll pay for the entire table every time, but I still want people to know that I don't mind paying - even though I'd rather him pay. 
Even when they group together for ways to shrink government and cut spending, they still manage to grow government and increase spending with all the subcommittees for subcommittees and their $16 muffins and thousand dollar pizza parties and travel and extra positions needed and everything else.
It's all such a sham.
Even when they group together for ways to shrink government and cut spending, they still manage to grow government and increase spending with all the subcommittees for subcommittees and their $16 muffins and thousand dollar pizza parties and travel and extra positions needed and everything else.
It's all such a sham. @OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
5 Nov 11
Well I consider the Congress and Senate to be Federal employees so there fore they too should automatically have the same cuts and freezes of the other employees. They are not special they are just management and should be treated as others are. I am tired of their belly aching and hypocritical cuts and laws and bills.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
5 Nov 11
This is the problem with our country right now, you see this all day long when it come to corporations. While the executives decide to cut wages, or freeze wages for employees, they NEVER cut their wages, in fact many CEO's increase their wages because they cut cost. Look at the now former CEO of HP who's golden parachute was worth an estimated $13 MILLION dollars. Although that doesn't seam like a lot, he was only CEO for 10 MONTHS, and the stock price plummeted under his watch. Unfortunately, the leaders of our government know this is going on, and want the same benefits. And, they don't have to answer to anyone about their pay, they all decide how much they make, and haven't lower their pay since the great depression. Think it is about time?
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Now for the people to get mad and actually start voting for things, people and actually holding our government responsible for what they do. This is a road that will bring down our nation.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
5 Nov 11
It would be great if they would take a cut, especially since they don't do that good a job as it is (I'm referring to both parties). I think it's great when they don't vote themselves a raise each year.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I think that the American people should decide if they deserve they pay they get. I am sure that they would have the largest pay cut of any federal employees EVER if that happened. Another reason it will NEVER happen.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I think it is well beyond the time that congress should practice what they preach., Why should everyone else suffer the blows of government cuts and spending while congress goes on about their business. We are all in this state of economy together,. We should share in the rewards and penalties alike. @ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
6 Nov 11
For me none hundred percent they are only implement the law but not do the law.
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
5 Nov 11
That is the nice thing about making laws. You can cut everyone's pay, benefits, and even cut jobs to say that they are "cutting the spending." Yet I guess since congress figures they are doing the more important work of the country that they are exempt from their own cutbacks. Write before the country collapsed did't these congress people vote to give themselves a raise. I think most of us would thrive and prosper if we could make our own rules. See this why some of us believe we live in 2 America's.
@tech2d (338)
• United States
5 Nov 11
Absolutely!!! I do not think that they should be exempt from the cuts to balance the budget just because they are lawmakers unless they feel like they are royalty and our laws are exempt from them. But I'm sure that is exactly how they feel. As far as cutting Medicare and Social Security, they make it seem that they are just giving us something for free....WRONG!! We PAID for these benefits! Yes we should ALL call on our congressmen to make the same cuts to their plan as they are trying to make to ours!
