"Teabaggers in Washington should not enjoy health care" (DainBramaged)

[Tess Anderson]

or staff or any other benefits

link

but only the ones that don't agree with braindamaged ( DUmmie easily top ten '11):

DainBramaged  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jul-30-11 10:02 AM
Original message
Teabaggers in Washington should not enjoy health care, staffs, or any other benefit 
 They want to preach austerity, take everything away from these ****s and let them survive in Washington without the perks. Take EVERYTHING away. They hate government, let them see what it's like without the benefits. Let them survive in a tiny office wth a phone and a computer and do the work themselves.


$174,000 is their salary. AND they get a COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) annually. They get the BEST health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life insurance, and retirement plans money can buy. Their constituents get shit. They get budgets to pay for their staff and office expenses, running into the millions of dollars a year. And they can hire relatives and friends. It's staggering what they get. Not one of them is going to tell me they can live without the perks and benefits, because they are there for them NOT to help us the people of the United States.


They are scum.



http://disbursements.house.gov/
 

[franksolich]

For some peculiar reason, I don't think that taking the opinion of some guy 58 years old who calls dogs "goggies" (God only knows what he calls cats), is worth one's time.

[AllosaursRus]

For some peculiar reason, I don't think that taking the opinion of some guy 58 years old who calls dogs "goggies" (God only knows what he calls cats), is worth one's time.

Well, I'm not surprised. What do ya expect from a c*nt?

[BattleHymn]

Not one of them is going to tell me they can live without the perks and benefits

Freshmen Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sleeping in their Washington, D.C., offices:

Republicans (19)
Steve Chabot (OH-1st), 58
Sean Duffy (WI-7th), 39
Stephen Fincher (TN-8th), 37
Chris Gibson (NY-20), 46
Tim Griffin (AR-2nd), 42
Paul Gosar (AZ-1st), 52
Trey Gowdy (SC-4th), 46
Morgan Griffith (VA-9th), 52
Richard Hanna (NY-24), 59
Joe Heck (NV-3rd), 49
Bill Huizenga (MI-2nd), 41
Bill Johnson (OH-6th), 56
James Lankford (OK-5th), 42
Patrick Meehan (PA-7th), 55
Todd Rokita (IN-4th), 40
Steve Stivers (OH-15th), 45
Joe Walsh (IL-8th), 49
Todd Young (IN-9th), 38
Tim Walberg (MI-7th), 59

Democrats (2)
John Carney (DE-At large), 54
Hansen Clarke (MI-13th), 53

[franksolich]

I believe it's still true that even after 5 terms in Congress, Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, and even after 3 terms in Congress, Adrian Smith of Nebraska, both still sleep in their offices, as they have family here and don't want to put any money into Maryland real-estate.

Both of them (R)s, of course.

[AllosaursRus]

Amazin' ain't it? Sacrifice is a four letter word to DemonRats!

[TVDOC]

Err.....I seem to remember that when the TEA party Republicans were sworn into office, most of them started sleeping on cots in their offices.......to save money.......

I doubt any of them avail themselves of many perks.......I haven't heard any demands for a cross-country capable jet to be provided free of charge like Pelosi did......and don't forget the bar tab she ran up on that airplane.  It should be noted that the "new" Speaker flies home on United (economy class).

I seem to recall and old sage that includes something about rocks and glass houses........

doc

[BlueStateSaint]

To my Congressman, Chris Gibson, sleeping in his office is probably luxury quarters, seeing his background . . . as a Ranger, and a commander of a brigade of Airborne infantry . . . Good on him!

[MrsSmith]

I seem to recall some very angry columns about the "selfish Republicans" that were sleeping in their offices instead of helping the economy by renting apartments and hiring staff!!    

As for the healthcare, I totally agree.  ALL members of Congress should get the exact same healthcare coverage as everyone else.  The only healthcare coverage the government should carry should be for our military and veterans.  Members of Congress that can't afford to buy their own coverage should be allowed on Medicare for the length of their term in office.     (I would totally love to see Reid or Pelosi jump through the hoops their much-beloved Medicare system imposes on people.)

[NHSparky]

Considering that my Congressman (Guinta) was pretty well-off before being elected, I'm sure if someone said he had to get his own health insurance, he'd shrug and do it.

[jtyangel]

I seem to recall some very angry columns about the "selfish Republicans" that were sleeping in their offices instead of helping the economy by renting apartments and hiring staff!!    

As for the healthcare, I totally agree.  ALL members of Congress should get the exact same healthcare coverage as everyone else.  The only healthcare coverage the government should carry should be for our military and veterans.  Members of Congress that can't afford to buy their own coverage should be allowed on Medicare for the length of their term in office.     (I would totally love to see Reid or Pelosi jump through the hoops their much-beloved Medicare system imposes on people.)

I disagree that only military and veterans should have access as federal agents(essentially) to healthcare. As a federal employee, they are MY employer. I have some expectation of that being offered as a benefit, of which they as my employer pay a portion(like any other employer), especially considering the lower wages I make by comparison to what is out there in the private sector.  What's probably a better plan is for their plan to be more in line with what other federal employees make and to make it limited to their 'employment period' like any other employee. Trust me when I say, we don't have cadillac plans--ours are shopped and negotiated like any other business and we have several to choose from--if you want cadillac, you will pay for cadillac unless you are a congress critter. In fact the small business I worked for prior to this had a cheaper plan with more coverage--go figure. Congress really needs to come more inline with the peons of federal employment.  

[diesel driver]

I see that my NEW congressman from VA is sleeping in his office. 

WAY TO GO, MORGAN!  I KNEW you were a better man than Boucher!

[notaDUmmie]

I disagree that only military and veterans should have access as federal agents(essentially) to healthcare. As a federal employee, they are MY employer. I have some expectation of that being offered as a benefit, of which they as my employer pay a portion(like any other employer), especially considering the lower wages I make by comparison to what is out there in the private sector.  What's probably a better plan is for their plan to be more in line with what other federal employees make and to make it limited to their 'employment period' like any other employee. Trust me when I say, we don't have cadillac plans--ours are shopped and negotiated like any other business and we have several to choose from--if you want cadillac, you will pay for cadillac unless you are a congress critter. In fact the small business I worked for prior to this had a cheaper plan with more coverage--go figure. Congress really needs to come more inline with the peons of federal employment.  

I agree with you 100% - I'm a federal employee, and although we don't utilize my benefits (my husband's company offers better plans for less), I don't see any reason why federal employees shouldn't be offered health benefits, if that's what it takes to get and retain good employees.


And Congress has the same options we do as federal employees - there they have to choose from FEHBP just like all other federal employees.

[DumbAss Tanker]

But seriously, folks, who really 'Enjoys' health care anyway?  Am I right?

 

Ooooh yeah!

Thank you, thank you, and please, don't forget to tip your waitress.

[MrsSmith]

I disagree that only military and veterans should have access as federal agents(essentially) to healthcare. As a federal employee, they are MY employer. I have some expectation of that being offered as a benefit, of which they as my employer pay a portion(like any other employer), especially considering the lower wages I make by comparison to what is out there in the private sector.  What's probably a better plan is for their plan to be more in line with what other federal employees make and to make it limited to their 'employment period' like any other employee. Trust me when I say, we don't have cadillac plans--ours are shopped and negotiated like any other business and we have several to choose from--if you want cadillac, you will pay for cadillac unless you are a congress critter. In fact the small business I worked for prior to this had a cheaper plan with more coverage--go figure. Congress really needs to come more inline with the peons of federal employment.  

I agree with you 100% - I'm a federal employee, and although we don't utilize my benefits (my husband's company offers better plans for less), I don't see any reason why federal employees shouldn't be offered health benefits, if that's what it takes to get and retain good employees.


And Congress has the same options we do as federal employees - there they have to choose from FEHBP just like all other federal employees.

Of course, you are both correct.  Federal employees should have health insurance offered.  That is what I meant...all Federal employees should have the options as most private employees...much or all of the employee's insurance is covered by the employer as a benefit, family coverage is an option the employee purchases.  However, I stick by my statement that healthcare, not insurance, should be government provided only for our military and veterans.  (I would also like to see military healthcare in many places upgraded to be at least as good as private, and hopefully even better...) 

My original post was not well worded...

[notaDUmmie]

Of course, you are both correct.  Federal employees should have health insurance offered.  That is what I meant...all Federal employees should have the options as most private employees...much or all of the employee's insurance is covered by the employer as a benefit, family coverage is an option the employee purchases.  However, I stick by my statement that healthcare, not insurance, should be government provided only for our military and veterans.  (I would also like to see military healthcare in many places upgraded to be at least as good as private, and hopefully even better...) 

My original post was not well worded...

Ah, got it, thanks for the clarification!  I will tell you, that as retired military, I was never impressed with the healthcare I received when I was active duty.  In fact, when our kids were born, we paid out of pocket to get supplementary insurance so that we could afford to take them to civilian doctors. 


Under the current system, TriCare, many, if not most, dependents end up going to private physicians anyway.

[jtyangel]

Of course, you are both correct.  Federal employees should have health insurance offered.  That is what I meant...all Federal employees should have the options as most private employees...much or all of the employee's insurance is covered by the employer as a benefit, family coverage is an option the employee purchases.  However, I stick by my statement that healthcare, not insurance, should be government provided only for our military and veterans.  (I would also like to see military healthcare in many places upgraded to be at least as good as private, and hopefully even better...) 

My original post was not well worded...

Thanks for clarifying, Mrs. Smith. One thing I do know is that what we have and what they have is way out of line. They should be treated like any other federal employee or servant and have access to the same packages for the same prices and with the same limitations.

[notaDUmmie]

Thanks for clarifying, Mrs. Smith. One thing I do know is that what we have and what they have is way out of line. They should be treated like any other federal employee or servant and have access to the same packages for the same prices and with the same limitations.

They ARE treated like every other federal employee, and they have the same choices that we do.  There isn't some super-special health insurance/healthcare plan for Congress.  They use FEHBP just like we do.

[BEG]

This is what your government has produced dainbramaged:

[youtube=425,350]J7XA2UUpXRk[/youtube]

[MrsSmith]

Ah, got it, thanks for the clarification!  I will tell you, that as retired military, I was never impressed with the healthcare I received when I was active duty.  In fact, when our kids were born, we paid out of pocket to get supplementary insurance so that we could afford to take them to civilian doctors. 


Under the current system, TriCare, many, if not most, dependents end up going to private physicians anyway.

I wasn't impressed when my first husband was Air Force, either.  The military should get a Cadillac plan, Congress should make do with an HMO...like mine.   

[TVDOC]

I wasn't impressed when my first husband was Air Force, either.  The military should get a Cadillac plan, Congress should make do with an HMO...like mine.   

Our military should have the best health care available........we send them into harm's way, and pay them little for it, it's the very least we can do.

Congress should have their benefits "means tested" as well........why should the taxpayer pay for healthcare for the likes of the Kennedy's or the Kerry's........they can afford to pay for their own.

doc

[notaDUmmie]

Our military should have the best health care available........we send them into harm's way, and pay them little for it, it's the very least we can do.

Congress should have their benefits "means tested" as well........why should the taxpayer pay for healthcare for the likes of the Kennedy's or the Kerry's........they can afford to pay for their own.

doc

Meh, I'm not in favor of means testing employee benefits. A benefit is a benefit is a benefit, as they pertain to employment. 

[TVDOC]

Meh, I'm not in favor of means testing employee benefits. A benefit is a benefit is a benefit, as they pertain to employment.  

I'd argue that an "employee" generates revenue.....they don't.......they serve at the will and expense of the taxpayer.  IMO the period of elected national offices being a career should be over.  The founders certainly never envisioned it to be so.

Since the Dems have announced that they favor "means testing" for Medicare recipients (who, regardless of financial status have been forced to pay premiums for their entire working lives) .....I'd say that it's only fair for politicians as well.

doc

[notaDUmmie]

I'd argue that an "employee" generates revenue.....they don't.......they serve at the will and expense of the taxpayer.  IMO the period of elected national offices being a career should be over.  The founders certainly never envisioned it to be so.

Since the Dems have announced that they favor "means testing" for Medicare recipients (who, regardless of financial status have been forced to pay premiums for their entire working lives) .....I'd say that it's only fair for politicians as well.

doc

For the record, I don't believe in means testing Social Security or Medicare either - I've paid into it, and I expect to get my benefit.
I'm also in favor of a Constitutional amendment to limit Congressional terms.

As to federal employees not generating revenue, I agree, however, it isn't the purpose of government to generate revenue.  So, while I don't make any money for the taxpayer, I certainly provide a valuable service, and I should be fairly compensated for that service.  If that compensation includes medical benefits, retirement benefits, etc., then those shouldn't be subject to whatever other income I might have (in my case, military retirement).

[Freeper]

Our military should have the best health care available........we send them into harm's way, and pay them little for it, it's the very least we can do.

Congress should have their benefits "means tested" as well........why should the taxpayer pay for healthcare for the likes of the Kennedy's or the Kerry's........they can afford to pay for their own.

doc

I think they should get modest salaries, and modest travel expense money. In fact their pay scale should match what we pay enlisted men in the armed forces. First term they get E-1 pay second term E-2 and so forth.