“There has to be a visible gesture that people can immediately relate to,” said Pete Sepp, the executive vice president of the conservative National Taxpayers Union.
“And cutting pay would be one of the best symbols, because unlike virtually anything else the federal government does, when Congress spends money on its own salaries and benefits, people can make a direct comparison to their own situation,” Sepp said.
This blog features observations from Randy Turner, a former teacher, newspaper reporter and editor. Send news items or comments to rturner229@hotmail.com
Friday, November 05, 2010
Push is on to reduce Congressional salaries
When Billy Long and Vicky Hartzler join the U. S. House of Representatives, they may already be facing a paycut. The Hill reports that Congressional leaders are under pressure to show they mean business in dealing with the nation's fiscal problems by cutting their own salaries:
It's the amount of money their spouces earn as consultant/lobbyists that is the problem.
ReplyDeleteBlunt's new squeeze (well maybe not new anymore) earns into the 7-figure income level. Tell me this isn't influencing Roy.
Kit's wife Linda has been in the same business earning much more than Kit because of his Senate position.
A sensible solution would be that no member of the immediate family could be lobbyists or government relations 'executives' while another family member serves in Congress, and, that Congressman or Senator must not take a similiar job for two years after serving.
Just take a look at the entire Missouri delegation and see how many of these relationships exist.
And maybe no salary increase unless they vote on it, instead of the automatic increase they now receive. The increase cannot take effect unless they are reelected.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Springfield News Leader the thing that is bothering Hill Billy most is this. To wear his hat or not wear his hat for his freshmen Representative Picture.
ReplyDeleteWhen we get that issue settled, we will pick out an office and sooner or later be sworn in and have a session with the "boys" in the legislature.
Billy wants to know if he can take the picture with his Happy Meal, or if he has to put it down on a table somewhere and eat it afterward.
ReplyDelete