What recession? House office budgets go up (thumb in your eye?)

Houston Chronicle & AP ^ | 06/20/2009 | JIM ABRAMS

[cbkaty]

The House of Representatives, with little comment or opposition, on Friday approved an 8 percent increase in the budget for members' office expenses.

House members will get an average $1.5 million in the budget year starting in October to run their Washington and district offices and cover travel and other official expenses. Overall, the budget for what the House calls members' representational allowances, or MRAs, will jump $51 million to $660 million.

[cbkaty]

No shame what so ever....Tar & Feathers yet?

[cbkaty]

Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste, said it was “more than ironic that Congress is going in the opposite direction” at a time when most businesses, including those now being run by Washington, are trying to find ways to reduce spending.

“It shows a lack of understanding of how people are getting along these days,” he said.

[allmost]

soros and co will be making the bigger ‘killing’.

[Mr. K]

DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!DAMMIT!

[Recon Dad]

“It shows a lack of understanding of how people are getting along these days,” he said.

A stinging rebuke! /sarc

[PubliusMM]

No surprise on this one, either.

The Founders envisioned a part-time legislature, a Congress that could meet briefly to consider and vote on budgetary matters and other issues that are authorized within the constraints of the US Constitution.

That has morphed into a royal legislature with compensation, benefits, and perks not available to the vast majority of Americans. We have Senators demanding special treatment, and a House Speaker demanding a larger plane to carry her entourage between Washington and wherever. We have Congresscritters who pad their own pockets to ensure their cushy retirement. And, we have career politicians who have NEVER had to manage a business, build an enterprise on their own sweat and resources, and who shout to the Heavens that they know better than anyone what will ‘stimulate’ the US economy.

It is positively sickening. And, it’s getting under the skins of millions of Americans. It’s time to take back the country.

[Recon Dad]

I don't see the GOP on the steps of the capital in righteous indignation rejecting this increase and refusing to except it. They could take the increase and say as a group we all will write checks back to the Treasury for the amount of the increase.

At least they would be doing something.

[TPOOH]

Who really cares? Pols say “bend over” and Americans say “please kick our a&&es again thank you .”

[cbkaty]

I don't see the GOP on the steps of the capital in righteous indignation rejecting this increase and refusing to except it.

........The GOP may be hopelessly cast as buffoons by their own petard.... Independent time?

[abishai]

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who heads the Appropriations Committee panel in charge of the spending bill, said Congress can't compete with salaries and benefits offered by the private sector. They are increasing the MRA "so that we can grow salaries" and "make sure we hold on to the best and brightest."

Where do I start? It's a self-lovefest with other people's money.

I don't understand these people.

[DJ Frisat]

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who heads the Appropriations Committee panel in charge of the spending bill, said Congress can't compete with salaries and benefits offered by the private sector.

Would this be the same "private sector" that is "abusing people, cutting jobs & benefits and screwing up the country" to the point that these clowns think they need to ride in on a white horse and have government take over?

[DJ Frisat]

Let’s get the roll-call vote for this one, if that bastards had the guts to take one...

[Vaduz]

office expenses = hookers

[wafflehouse]

whats the problem? they can just print more right?

[cbkaty]

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who heads the Appropriations Committee panel in charge of the spending bill, said Congress can't compete with salaries and benefits offered by the private sector.

Our founders called it service to one's country...not a jobs program....

Debbie Wasserman Schultz you ignorant bitch!

[Terry Mross]

I hate feeling this way but I think it’s too late to do anything about this. And for people who say “vote them out”, show me someone to vote “in” who’s not the same or worse.

[Texas resident]

There is never a recession in the district of Columbia. They are never affected by downturns except with those pesky letters/emails/phone calls from their constituants who PAY THEIR WAY. These people are so insulated from the real world, if they weren’t informed by the obama media, they would never know what is happening outside of the swamp of Northern Virginia.

[cbkaty]

I hate feeling this way but I think it’s too late to do anything about this. And for people who say “vote them out”, show me someone to vote “in” who’s not the same or worse.

.....Never give in..... Presently, anyone but the incumbent seems appropriate....unless it is a communist.... Wholesale woodshed beatings & firings will produce the respect most voters desire.

Get er done....

[HighlyOpinionated]

House Members Insensitive To Constituents’ Financial Problems: One More Reason To Repeal The 17th Amendment And Return The Senate To The Founding Father’s Plans.

1913 was the year that screwed up the USofA . . . and we’re feeling the pain in 2009.

(I didn’t use large Font size this time.)(You’re Welcome.)

[cbkaty]

There is never a recession in the district of Columbia.

Just make certain to address Boxer as Maam......