Congress Thinks They Deserve a Raise?
by Congressional analysts say the United States Government ran a US$1.4 trillion budget deficit for the 2009 fiscal year as of October 5th.
The previous record deficit was US$459 billion and was set last year.
It’s nice to see that our elected officials in Washington are doing their part to ease the ever increasing burden on the taxpayer. —- NOT!
The annual salary of the president of the United States is $400,000 per year, including a $50,000 expense allowance. Plus all the other perks that come along with privledge. To be fair, Neither George W Bush Or Barack Obama Received an Increase of salary.
This year Congress chose to vote it’s self a $4,700 annual pay raise at taxpayers expense Even though we are struggling to keep our jobs and homes in this time of economic turmoil.
Republican Sen. David Vitter tried to add a ban on the automatic raises to the $410 billion spending bill signed into law last March but Harry Reid refused to do so. He told Vittner to present it as a stand alone bill and that it would then be determined if the bill would be voted on. Of course it wasn’t.
Speaker of the House $223,500 + benefits and perks
Majority Leader – $193,400 + benefits and perks
Minority Leader – $193,400 + benefits and perks
Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader – $193,400 + benefits and perks
Minority Party Leader – $193,400 + benefits and perks
Other members of congress $174,000 per year + benefits and perks
Instead of being forced to vote whenever they want to give themselves raises, Congress is holding to a system in which they only vote when they don’t want raises. That will keep it pretty much out of the public eye.
Another example of “do as I say, not as I do”. They rant and rave at CEO’s of companies to take a cut in pay in these hard economic times. They keep telling the American citizens to tighten up their belts and turn over more Tax dollars to them so they can continue to do what they do best, Fleece the American citizens.
For Congress to set its own pay is the epitome of conflict of interest.
Congress should only be allowed a pay raise if the budget is balanced. That would give them some incentive at least to do it. Neither Congress or the President should get any raises as long as our country has a budget deficit. Just my opinion.
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Post Commentmkd1788
On December 8, 2009 at 8:35 am
great information
Westbrook
On December 8, 2009 at 10:00 am
It may just be your opinion, but the facts that you mentioned seem to be correct. I have to agree with you. My pay raises were based on merit. Their pay raises are pretty much automatic no matter badly they perform. What a life!
Here is a tip: You should include your blog link in your articles so readers can check it out.
martie
On December 8, 2009 at 10:41 am
good article.
Glynis Smy
On December 8, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Frustrating for many who struggle. Interesting article.
ken bultman
On December 8, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I’m on social security. Got no raise this year because there was no increase in inflation. They don’t shop where I do.
Ruby Hawk
On December 8, 2009 at 10:18 pm
It’s my opinion too. It’s a disgrace to our country.
STEVE666
On December 9, 2009 at 11:32 am
Good article, Jamie. You may as well give them a raise, otherwise they’ll just fiddle their expenses, like the politicians over here have been doing.