Collusion, Congress, Treason and the Party Line
| By Mike Collins - Oct 5th, 2009 at 1:57 pm EDT |
| Also listed in: Adams County | Broom Brigade | Veterans for Progress |
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Categories: Equality / Civil Rights, Economic Fairness & Security, Effective & Ethical Government, Media Accountability, Corporate Accountability / Workers' Rights
Categories: Equality / Civil Rights, Economic Fairness & Security, Effective & Ethical Government, Media Accountability, Corporate Accountability / Workers' Rights
My advice to Pelosi and Reid, present and promote solutions to our problems, divest their corporate collusion, ignore Republican obstruction, even if it means changing the rules of the filibuster and severely punish, by any means necessary, Democrats that don't play well with other members of their party. This is a battle between the people and the political parties/corporatocracy. The only way this battle can be won by the people? Continued exposure of elected officials and their complicity in the defilement of democracy, which is treasonous by definition, regardless of party affiliation.
Many party officials disapprove of self examination or critical observations regarding ethics, leadership or devotion to the principles of democracy (free and equal representation of people). Primaries are heretical and grassroots activism is discouraged. Within limits, never ask for permission because authority is invariably hard wired to say no and that just compounds frustration and discourages activism.
Public financing of federal and state elections is a step in the right direction, but even if it were instituted, we would still have a problem with lobbyists writing laws. Lawmakers encourage this practice, either because they are understaffed or lazy. We already know they only read the summary and not the fine print. Bills violate the most important rule of all, Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) and they are purposely kept indecipherable for a reason, to conceal cronyism and pork. You think members of Congress work hard for the money?
"By the time the gavel comes down on the 109th Congress on Friday, members will have "worked" a total of 103 days. That's seven days fewer than the infamous "Do-Nothing Congress" of 1948." (Last figures I can find)
Rank and file congressional pay is three and half times the median income of the United States. Three times the median income of an electronics engineer, four times the median income of K-12 teachers, almost eight times the median income of a preschool teacher and last but not least, $56,000 more than median income of a GP Doctor.
That would leave the 109th Congress 262 days to travel, campaign, extort money, etc., instead of writing laws, answering emails, letters and faxes and generally doing the work of the people.
U.S. Congressional salaries and benefits have been the source of taxpayer unhappiness and myths over the years. Here are some facts for your consideration.
Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2009) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year
Congress: Leadership Members' Salary (2009)
Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.
Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader - $193,400
Minority Party Leader - $193,400
House Leadership
Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400
Add to all of this, up to 80% of their pay when they retire. $139,200
Many party officials disapprove of self examination or critical observations regarding ethics, leadership or devotion to the principles of democracy (free and equal representation of people). Primaries are heretical and grassroots activism is discouraged. Within limits, never ask for permission because authority is invariably hard wired to say no and that just compounds frustration and discourages activism.
Public financing of federal and state elections is a step in the right direction, but even if it were instituted, we would still have a problem with lobbyists writing laws. Lawmakers encourage this practice, either because they are understaffed or lazy. We already know they only read the summary and not the fine print. Bills violate the most important rule of all, Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) and they are purposely kept indecipherable for a reason, to conceal cronyism and pork. You think members of Congress work hard for the money?
"By the time the gavel comes down on the 109th Congress on Friday, members will have "worked" a total of 103 days. That's seven days fewer than the infamous "Do-Nothing Congress" of 1948." (Last figures I can find)
Rank and file congressional pay is three and half times the median income of the United States. Three times the median income of an electronics engineer, four times the median income of K-12 teachers, almost eight times the median income of a preschool teacher and last but not least, $56,000 more than median income of a GP Doctor.
That would leave the 109th Congress 262 days to travel, campaign, extort money, etc., instead of writing laws, answering emails, letters and faxes and generally doing the work of the people.
U.S. Congressional salaries and benefits have been the source of taxpayer unhappiness and myths over the years. Here are some facts for your consideration.
Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2009) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year
Congress: Leadership Members' Salary (2009)
Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.
Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader - $193,400
Minority Party Leader - $193,400
House Leadership
Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400
Add to all of this, up to 80% of their pay when they retire. $139,200
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