Why is it that the U.S. Congress can raise its own pay? Wouldn't it make more sense that their annual income had to be the median income of the average American as outlined by IRS data. I mean the IRS already has all the info and it wouldn't be that difficult to do. The only problem I see is that it would take a Constitutional Amendment brought by the citizens of this great country to get this into force. God knows the congress won't be bringing this one to the floor.
The only negative response I've had so far is, "Then no one will want to be a Congress Member." To which I have to reply, if they are running for Congress to make money, do we really want them as our representative. An individual should run for Congress because they truly want to make a positive difference in their country and the lives of all Americans.
On another note, Lobbyists should be labeled as traitors to our country and should be assessed automatic fines in the amount of 100 times the amount they pay out to get their interests taken care of. As well, any pork that was added to a bill for their direct benefit, retroactively comes off the books and they and their company must pay any taxes plus interest that they tried to get out of. Then the Congress Members that were involved must be tried and imprisoned and all their assets seized to be sold for cash that goes directly to paying off the national debt and restoring the money that should be there for social security.
Look I'm a pretty conservative guy but this stuff is corrupt no matter what party is involved and if something is not done about it, this country is in big trouble. FYI Barack Obama $18 billion is a lot of money! Unfortunately many of the Congress Men and Women you serve with think the same way. Imagine, if they took that $18 billion and used it for alternative fuel research in colleges, creating jobs, finding cures for diseases, oh, oh, oh, maybe give it back to the taxpayers. There's a novel idea, It's only $18 billion, they won't miss it.
Sorry I tend to ramble but this flippant mind set of politicians is absolutely atrocious. The only time they even care about anyone outside of Washington is when they're trying to get re-elected. We need some common sense individuals who go to Washington to put their nose to the grindstone and fix the mess that's been created over the last few decades. Time to get rid of the Good Ole boy network, you've worn out your welcome.
wow, i completely agree about Congress creating their own salary.
i always believed that if the white house was just a white shack we would have great leadership. i wonder what wonderful presidents we would have for our country. it would be somebody really passionate about our issues.