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What Exactly Bothers US About our Elected Representatives?
Wikipedia | 11/27/09 | logic 'n reason

Posted on 11/27/2009 4:38:04 PM PST by Logic n' Reason

The annual salary of each senator, as of 2009, is $174,000; the President pro tempore and party leaders receive $193,400. In June 2003, at least 40 of the then-senators were millionaires.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Miscellaneous; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: chat; salarypaybenefits; vanity; whackypedia
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In addition to their salaries, senators' retirement and health benefits are identical to other federal employees, and are fully vested after five years of service. Senators are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). As it is for federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Under FERS, senators contribute 1.3% of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2% of their salary in Social Security taxes. The amount of a senator's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. The starting amount of a senator's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary. In 2006, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives under CSRS was $60,972, while those who retired under FERS, or in combination with CSRS, was $35,952.

And all this in addition to free trips, franking privileges, aides, interns, fancy offices, and other perks.

Notice too, that the declared level for "wealth"...as determined by these bozos (and bozo-ettes - or is that, "whores") is $250,000 annual.

When...and how...are we going to get these crumbs to change this?

With some degree of variation, most U.S Senators are exceedingly wealthy compared to that of the public. According to financial documents the average net worth of the 100 member chamber of the bicameral congress was approximately $8.9 million. By contrast, less than 1% of the U.S. population has a net worth of $1 million or more. [17]

1 posted on 11/27/2009 4:38:06 PM PST by Logic n' Reason
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To: Logic n' Reason

I heard a couple of weeks ago, don’t remember where, that almost HALF (like 240 or sumthin) of the congresscritters in the HOUSE were millionaires.

I’m guessing these are the ones that have been there a while.

so much for that “of the people”


2 posted on 11/27/2009 4:42:44 PM PST by digger48
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To: Logic n' Reason

Through manipulation by shrewd attorneys the Congress has become the Imperial Legislature. It must stop.


3 posted on 11/27/2009 4:44:30 PM PST by Shady (The Fairness Doctrine is ANYTHING but fair!!!!)
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To: Logic n' Reason

1. They lie
2. They steal
3. They shove things down our throat we doin’t want
4. They support corruption
5. They prevent tort reform
6. They prevent rather than fight for photo ID to vote
7. They see us as an inconvienence
8. They never cut taxes permanently
9. They hand out bribes using our money
10. They never kill bad programs
11. They have no shame and no honor
12. They pass bills that the American people don’t want
13. And don’t pass ones we do want
14. Etc., Etc., Etc.....


4 posted on 11/27/2009 4:45:55 PM PST by The Wizard (I support Madame President, the only President in America today)
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To: Logic n' Reason

They do exactly what we don’t want. They are low life scum. They cheat, lie and steal from us for their own benefit.


5 posted on 11/27/2009 4:47:05 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Logic n' Reason
Lack of ethics and ignorance bothers me.
6 posted on 11/27/2009 4:48:04 PM PST by mountainlion (concerned conservative.)
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To: Logic n' Reason

They pass laws that they exempt themselves from — health care being the best example, and they do not pay Social Security either.


7 posted on 11/27/2009 4:48:13 PM PST by browniexyz
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To: Logic n' Reason

Their actual salaries are minimal.

Their real wealth is from interests, overseas bank accounts, perks, etc., which adds up to a few million.

I recall an article in the early 70s which said that the average congressperson got about $3 million (then) in perks, office expenses, staff expenses, more perks, etc.


8 posted on 11/27/2009 4:48:39 PM PST by TomGuy
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To: Logic n' Reason

That’s base pay. Add benefits, expense accounts, and extra pay for work on committees.


9 posted on 11/27/2009 4:50:54 PM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: Logic n' Reason

I have issues with the fact that they don’t represent us.


10 posted on 11/27/2009 4:52:12 PM PST by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: digger48

Other than they are either Crooked Scum, Terrorist BUTT Kissers, or make old Soviet Communists seem MODERATE that I would never vote for DOG Catcher... other than that...

They are Ego Maniacs, because those who would be BEST for the job say ..”NO EFFING WAY”!!

and other than that.. they’re Worthless excuses of Human Debris.


11 posted on 11/27/2009 4:53:18 PM PST by gwilhelm56 (Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8 "Let his days be few; and let another take his office. ")
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To: The Wizard

15. They continually pass laws to destroy the America we love.
16. They perpetuate the underclass.
17. They are pompous, self-important gasbags

With very few exceptions like Sen. Inhofe.


12 posted on 11/27/2009 4:55:00 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Logic n' Reason
What Exactly Bothers US About our Elected Representatives?

How much time do you have?

13 posted on 11/27/2009 4:55:13 PM PST by americanophile (Sarcasm: satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language.)
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To: Sacajaweau
Lest we forget our wonderful, thoughtful, honest, moral, and uncorruptible House members:
"As of January 2009, the annual salary of each Representative is $174,000. The Speaker of the House and the Majority and Minority Leaders earn more, $223,500 for the Speaker and $193,400 for their party leaders (the same as Senate leaders). A cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase takes effect annually unless Congress votes to not accept it. Congress sets members' salaries; however, the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits a change in salary (but not COLA) from taking effect until after the next general election. Representatives are eligible for lifetime benefits after serving for five years, including a pension, health benefits, and social security benefits."
14 posted on 11/27/2009 4:55:47 PM PST by Logic n' Reason (If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got.)
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To: Logic n' Reason

I think it should be mandatory that every rep (Senate & House at State & Fed levels) post their income tax returns.


15 posted on 11/27/2009 4:56:14 PM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: Logic n' Reason
The salaries don't bother me. I would give each one of them $10,000,000 tax-free tomorrow if they would just go away and never show their slimy, crooked, Commie faces in town ever gain.

It would be the finest investment the American taxpayer ever made!

16 posted on 11/27/2009 4:57:59 PM PST by Gritty (The argument that global warming is due to humans is a deliberate fraud - Dr. Tim Ball)
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To: Logic n' Reason

Term Limits is the only answer.


17 posted on 11/27/2009 4:57:59 PM PST by pankot
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To: Logic n' Reason
What bothers this American Citizen is

A. They have stopped representing us.

B. There is some question as to whether they were elected or placed in office by a manipulated or paid for vote.

18 posted on 11/27/2009 5:00:48 PM PST by Lion Den Dan
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To: cripplecreek

They represent their own interests vis a vis the interests that want laws out of them, you’re right. We the people have been left out of the equation.


19 posted on 11/27/2009 5:01:57 PM PST by browniexyz
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To: browniexyz

My congressman represents the SEIU almost exclusively. I can’t think of a single time he has held an open meeting. Usually the SEIU quietly tells their people that the congressman will hold a meeting. Then the papers report that his supporters were the only people to show up.


20 posted on 11/27/2009 5:05:17 PM PST by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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