Congressional pension denied to [Congressman] Studd's [homosexual] spouse

TheTranscript ^ | 10/18/06 | Evan Lehmann

[XR7]

When Studds died from a vascular illness Saturday, he was receiving an estimated annual pension of $114,337, according to the National Taxpayers Union

What an outrage!
Members of Congress should not get a dime when they retire.

Such a pension is why our founders were against "titles of nobility." A six-figure, taxpayer-financed pension is the same as conferring a title of nobility - with members of Congress being our very own class of Lords, who live in luxury at the expense of the toiling classes. Homo or not, this guy's paramour does not deserve a dime - nor did his Lordship, Studds. Nor does any member of Congress. They are all bloated and overpaid. They enjoy the life of princes during their terms. When they are done - good riddance!

[caver]

"a congressman's gay spouse"

The surviving partner was and is not his spouse.

[XR7]

You also gotta love how the MSM headline writers refer to Studd's homosexual paramour as his "spouse."
Sick.

[ClearCase_guy]

[sandbar]

Gerry Studds died? I missed the news over the weekend.

Why was he still getting three times what I make?

Why are people who set their own benefits, salary, etc... allowed to decide themselves what they get.

I hate government.

[Khepera]

Butt buddy?

[TrishaSC]

Ohh I agree!!!! Especially when you think about how a large number of them are already millionaires when they get into office. It is no longer about public service it's become about power, prestige, and cold hard cash.

[linn37]

His husband? (snort) Does that mean Studds was the lil woman?

[tx_eggman]

the state's gay marriage law is left toothless outside the commonwealth

Making it all the more attractive to those inside the commonwealth

[upchuck]

Agreed, XR7. Let's also add term limits. IMHO, three terms (12 years) should be plenty.

FWIW, similar article.

[Suzy Quzy]

Finally...some sanity!! The GAY MAN is NOT a SPOUSE...he's a BOYFRIEND. And the thought that Studds got such a HUGE YEARLY paycheck, that sickens me.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Interesting how the page-sex-abuser-harasser Studds is being turned into some sort of civil rights champion while Foley is being properly shamed.

I predict that if the partner sues in federal court he will win. Premises have consequences. This is just one of many. Welcome to life under black-robed rulers.

[XR7]

the federal government, for perhaps the first time, will deny death benefits to a congressman's gay spouse.

Implies that this is the first time Congress has dared to do this.
Gee. Wonder how many "openly homosexual" former "spouses" of dead gay Congressmen receiving pensions there are?

[XR7]

Implies that this is the first time Congress has dared to do this.

Watch for our Congress to pass a law to correct this oversight.

[oyez]

I get a sick feeling that this isn't the last we hear of this. If the Dems get Congress, Nancy PostToasties will see that Studs's SO will be paid.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Does that mean Studds was the lil woman?

I dunno ... he supposedly always stood behind his work.

[muawiyah]

The law takes away pension rights for all spouses when the retired employee (or official, or ex Congress critter) fails to select for a dependent's annuity.

The annual pension is then reduced by 10% to pay for that annuity if an dwhen the retiree dies.

Millions of people out there are not getting dependent pensions because, lo and behold, the retiree didn't elect to provide them with one.

I doubt Studds applied for a dependent's annuity.

[Romney08]

Excuse me, but WTF does Bob Ney have to do with this article? The MSM just can't resist.

[sure_fine]

"The surviving partner was and is not his spouse."





not in all the states he's not, and not to all the taxpayers who pick up that bill

[Verginius Rufus]

You're exactly right. Why should a retired Congressman get a pension that's twice the average pay of a working person? And if Studds had married a woman in 2004, instead of entering this pseudo-marriage, she would have been entitled to more than $62,000/year for life (with cost-of-living increases) for a two-year marriage.