Dobbs: Congress stiffs working Americans

CNN.com ^ | 06/21/2006 | Lou Dobbs

[Ultra Sonic 007]

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Without much fanfare, the House of Representatives last week voted to give members of Congress yet another pay raise, as it has done almost every year for nearly a decade.

For some reason, our elected officials decided against holding a news conference. Maybe that's because they didn't want to draw attention to the fact that they raise their own salaries almost every year while refusing to raise the pay of our lowest-paid workers.

[Terpfen]

Maybe that's because they didn't want to draw attention to the fact that they raise their own salaries almost every year while refusing to raise the pay of our lowest-paid workers.

Oh, for crying out loud.

[sinkspur]

Dobbs is pandering to his blue-collar, union audience.

That, or he's turn into a full-blown Democrat.

[MJY1288]

For Dobbs to say this.. "Maybe that's because they didn't want to draw attention to the fact that they raise their own salaries almost every year while refusing to raise the pay of our lowest-paid workers.".... Makes him out to be more of a Liberal than a Conservative

[KoRn]

Congress stiffs working Americans"

I agree that they shouldn't have raised their salary, but that statement is just flat out absurd.

[soccer_maniac]

Most of America is made up of the working middle class.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Congress should raise it's pay to $2 million and be done with it. The plus side is that it'll attract more qualified people from the private sector.

[RebelBanker]

Dumba$$ Dobbs is pushing for an increase in the minimum wage. Is he really so stupid as to not understand the difference between that and a paycheck from the government?

Don't answer that...

[COEXERJ145]

That, or he's turn into a full-blown Democrat.

He can't turn into what he always has been.

[o_zarkman44]

Congressional salary needs to be reduced to $5.15 an hour. That is about all they are worth as far as productivity.

This is an outrage!

[Ron in Acreage]

Where in the constitution does it say congress can give people in private companies raises? I guess they can cut workers pay as well? Lay people off? Hire and fire? We need Walmart and every other big company with deep pockets to bring this to the SC and get a ruling once and for all.

[Gordongekko909]

No kidding. Minimum wage -> unemployment. I actually favor raising Congressional pay a lot, on the theory that it will attract better legislators who would otherwise be working in the private sector. Compared to what a CEO makes, Congressmen get paid jack. And the cheap politicians we end up with end up costing quite a bit more than what we pay them in salary.

[Gordongekko909]

Yeah Sowell logic!

[Gordongekko909]

He's arguing for a federal minimum wage increase, which Congress can do under the Commerce Clause power. It's a horrible idea, but it isn't repugnant to the Constitution.

[Ron in Acreage]

Why don't the liberals and Dobbs just tell congress to lower their tax bracket instead? Because a pay raise increases tax revenues to more big government.

[Texasforever]

He is just a pro-labor stooge like Buchanan.

[sinkspur]

3% of workers in America are on minimum wage. EVERYBODY ELSE makes MORE!

[Ron in Acreage]

Most are nothing but millionaire trust funders already.

[KoRn]

"Dobbs is pandering to his blue-collar, union audience."

I don't see how. The only people who work for minimum wage are teens or LOSERS. I hate to offend any FReepers who may work for minimum wage over 18, but if you are...you should do better. Any politician who campaigns on raising the minimum wage is a total demagogue trying to draw the votes of those who make allot of money and feel somehow guilty about it.

[Ron in Acreage]

I know and so does Dobbs. But most union wages are tied to it.