Really Nancy???

[Big Dog]

I think they should get minimum wage or even better a monthly salary that matches the salaries of the enlisted men and women. They start off at E-1 pay and can work their way up with each term up to E-9. To solve the having two house issue we set up barracks in DC and they stay in bunks, they get a chow hall and buses to run them back and forth. They get vouchers to fly in coach seating to go home and to come to DC for each session. I would also limit sessions to one a year and everything else they want to do they can use SKYPE.

I like the way you think.

[Dori]

Have Reps and Senators always received a pay check?

They used to serve shorter terms and kept their farms and businesses back home. 

[Maxiest]

Have Reps and Senators always received a pay check?

They used to serve shorter terms and kept their farms and businesses back home. 

1789-1815 -- $6.00 per diem
1815-1817 -- $1,500 per annum
1817-1855 -- $8.00 per diem
1855-1865 -- $3,000 per annum
1865-1871 -- $5,000 per annum
1871-1873 -- $7,500 per annum
1873-1907 -- $5,000 per annum
1907-1925 -- $7,500 per annum
1925-1932 -- $10,000 per annum
1932-1933 -- $9,000 per annum
1933-1935 -- $8,500 per annum
1935-1947 -- $10,000 per annum
1947-1955 -- $12,500 per annum
1955-1965 -- $22,500 per annum
1965-1969 -- $30,000 per annum
1969-1975 -- $42,500 per annum
1975-1977 -- $44,600 per annum
1977-1978 -- $57,500 per annum
1979-1983 -- $60,662.50 per annum
1983 -- $69,800 per annum
1984 -- $72,600 per annum
1985-1986 -- $75,100 per annum
1987 (1/1-2/3) -- $77,400 per annum
1987 (2/4) -- $89,500 per annum
1990 (2/1) -- $98,400 per annum
1991 -- $101,900 per annum
1991 (8/15) -- $125,100 per annum
1992 -- $129,500 per annum
1993 -- $133,600 per annum
1994 -- $133,600 per annum
1995 -- $133,600 per annum
1996 -- $133,600 per annum
1997 -- $133,600 per annum
1998 -- $136,700 per annum
1999 -- $136,700 per annum
2000 -- $141,300 per annum
2001 -- $145,100 per annum
2002 -- $150,000 per annum
2003 -- $154,700 per annum
2004 -- $158,100 per annum
2005 -- $162,100 per annum
2006 -- $165,200 per annum
2007 -- $165,200 per annum
2008 -- $169,300 per annum
2009 -- $174,000 per annum
2010 -- $174,000 per annum
2011 -- $174,000 per annum
2012 -- $174,000 per annum
2013 -- $174,000 per annum

[GOBUCKS]

Probably the only way to make our government more corrupt would be to put it in the hands of people who really need their government salaries to support their families.

If you think we have bribery and corruption now, just wait until wage slaves are in charge of everything. Such people used to be called bolsheviks.

I'll take my chances with people who have been successful in life.

[Maxiest]

Probably the only way to make our government more corrupt would be to put it in the hands of people who really need their government salaries to support their families.

If you think we have bribery and corruption now, just wait until wage slaves are in charge of everything. Such people used to be called bolsheviks.

I'll take my chances with people who have been successful in life.

Yeah, we don't want this guy running the country.

Average Net Worth: $-534,990*

Minimum Net Worth: $-1,260,972
Maximum Net Worth: $190,993

Seems really financial responsible. 

Joe Biden.

[Dori]

Yeah, we don't want this guy running the country.

Average Net Worth: $-534,990*

Minimum Net Worth: $-1,260,972
Maximum Net Worth: $190,993

Seems really financial responsible.  

Joe Biden.

How did he manage to have a negative net worth?

[formerlurker]

Seems really financial responsible.  

Joe Biden.

How did he manage to have a negative net worth?

 Mortgages?

[Maxiest]

Seems really financial responsible.  

Joe Biden.

How did he manage to have a negative net worth?

Obviously can't manage money, but as I look at his resume.  He was a lawyer for 2 years and has been in public office ever since.

[Maxiest]

Mortgages?

Yep

Liabilities

J - Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Mortgage on Principal Residence (Including Rental Property)   $500,001 - $1,000,000

J - Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Home Equity LOC   $100,001 - $250,000

J - US Senate Federal Credit Union   Signature Note With Monthly Payments   $15,001 - $50,000

Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Line of Credit   $15,001 - $50,000

Sun National Bank, DE   Co-Signer With Son on LOC, Renewable Every 2 Years   $15,001 - $50,000

Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company Policies Bought Between 1969 and 1983   Loans Against Cash Value of Policies   $15,001 - $50,000

J - Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Home Equity LOC   $15,001 - $50,000

[Dori]

Gads....His kids are grown and his wife holds a doctorate and is still working.  Why does he have all this debt?

[diesel driver]

Gads....His kids are grown and his wife holds a doctorate and is still working.  Why does he have all this debt?

He's SOOOOOO much smarter than we are.  We don't understand "higher finance" like those in government do.  [/DU mode off]

And people wonder why the country is in such deep financial SHIT!

[Tucker]

J - Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Mortgage on Principal Residence (Including Rental Property)   $500,001 - $1,000,000

J - Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Home Equity LOC   $100,001 - $250,000

J - US Senate Federal Credit Union   Signature Note With Monthly Payments   $15,001 - $50,000

Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Line of Credit   $15,001 - $50,000

Sun National Bank, DE   Co-Signer With Son on LOC, Renewable Every 2 Years   $15,001 - $50,000

Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company Policies Bought Between 1969 and 1983   Loans Against Cash Value of Policies   $15,001 - $50,000

J - Wilmington Savings Fund Society   Home Equity LOC   $15,001 - $50,000

Didn't the DUmmies throw a conniption over Newts debts? Their contention was that a person with that much debt was unqualified to be President.

[GOBUCKS]

Slow Joe is swimming in red ink due to all his charitable giving.

[delilahmused]

My position that most of you won't agree with but we say that we want people from all walks of life and back grounds to be interested in service in Congress and the government.

But Congress truly pays too little for that to really happen. So instead, we get a significantly wealthier and less "normal" distribution of people in Congress because they have to be people that are financially well off enough to not "care" about the money.

I am not saying that I love Congress and think they are always great. But if you compare the level of responsibility and work to anything in the private sector they are truly underpaid.

Since they are underpaid monetarily, we end with a group of legislators that receive the majority of their pay in two ways:

1) Future wages: they garner support from outside groups with plans to one day become lobbyists and the like

2) Power: Many legislators love/enjoy the POWER and Attention their office brings them. Underpaying monetarily means that the people who are attracted to "service" get a significant amount of their compensation from feeding their desire for power.

Both of these "pay" options result in bad outcomes for the American people.

With all due respect, that's bullshit. The founders never intended for congress to be a "career" but a way for citizens to give back to this country, "service" as you say. A career in congress and lifetime pension isn't service. Term limits will take care of the power issue because even if that were what they were seeking, it would only be for a short time. Making a ton of money removes them from "the people" every bit as much as Hollywood liberals. Cocktail parties become more important that the issues facing those they were elected to represent. Give them a stipend and put them up in a modest congressional apartment building. I'd bet a fed-owned apartment building where we'd only have to pay for utilities (I'd even be willing to spring for HBO) would be cheaper than what we're paying now. And get rid of their lifetime pension. Every single one of those guys will have an opportunity to make plenty of money after their term is up without us having to pay for them. Lobbying firms, corporations & universities are open to them, as well as plenty of speaking engagements and consulting fees. Taking money from lobbyists while they're supposed to be serving is a CHOICE, not a "have to" so that's a damned lame excuse.

My son is in Afghanistan, what about his dignity? Isn't our military at least as important as congress? Every single man and woman over there (or in other dangerous places in the world) face a lot more danger than someone in congress who might suffer a paper cut and need a congressional band aid. And they don't even get a lifetime pension unless they make the military a career. Granted, the country cannot afford to pay the military those outrageous congressional salaries and these guys really do join to SERVE but it seems to me congress shouldn't be paid quadruple (or more) what these men and women earn. Heck, the closest my son has ever been to a cocktail party is the Marine Corps Ball and he has to buy tickets and pay for his own drinks. So spare me the "they want power and will take money from lobbyists" if we don't pay them enough. There are solutions to these issues that don't involve giving these idiots more money.

Cindie

[NHSparky]

Ladies and gents, considering that San Fran Nan's salary won't even pay her bar tab on her gub'mint flights, color me unimpressed.

Frankly, pay by contract.  X dollars for Y being completed.  Not done, no pay.  No budget?  No pay.  Didn't read the healthcare bill?  No pay.  And so it goes.

[Traveshamockery]

Isn't Joe Biden like 100 years old?  You'd think by this age, he'd be in better financial shape.  We also know that there is no way old Joe would be allowed to co-sign loans or take out the loans he has without being a senator. 

I'd love to see what his credit score is.  Bet it's not great.

In fact, that should be part of every politician's disclosure forms - their credit score.  Now wouldn't that be interesting?

[Maxiest]

Isn't Joe Biden like 100 years old?  You'd think by this age, he'd be in better financial shape.  We also know that there is no way old Joe would be allowed to co-sign loans or take out the loans he has without being a senator. 

I'd love to see what his credit score is.  Bet it's not great.

In fact, that should be part of every politician's disclosure forms - their credit score.  Now wouldn't that be interesting?

I was thinking the same thing earlier.  Hell to be a Vice President, one shouldn't be in the financial shape he is in.

[JohnnyReb]

....and to think that I was stupid enough to work my ass off, pinch pennies, do without and save money while democrats like Joe was partying their asses off, enjoying the good life on credit and now they want to take my savings to support themselves in their old age.

They can use a long leaf pine cone on their ass.....it's as large as a pineapple and 10 times stiffer and thornier.

[Hathcock]

She brings no dignity to the position she holds so why should she be treated with any dignity...
The members of all three branches of government should have their pay directly linked to the deficit. Years that the country is in the red, they don't get paid. Take it a step further and if spending goes over a preset percentage of GDP and no sitting member is eligible for re-election.