Republicans in Congress and running for Congress keep talking about their great opposition to ObamaCare and especially the idea of a Public Option. They oppose the growth of Government jobs and the high salaries being paid to Government workers, plus their pensions, etc.
Yet every Republican in political office today gets the same high salary as everyone else, or even moreso because they’re in Congress. They enjoy free health care and a generous pension. They’ll be getting the same pay raises that the evil Democrats get. All of this on the taxpayer’s dime.
Are the Republicans not being hypocritical here? How does one justify the elected Republicans getting the very perks that they oppose for other Government employees?
I don’t think that’s accurate. I mean, I don’t think the Republicans object to the existence of Congress, or that government employees get health insurance as part of their compensation program. They just don’t think that government health insurance should be extended to non-government employees.
I didn’t say they object to the existence of Congress. I said that they draw the same salaries and benefits that they fault other Government employees for having.
And why would a Republican logically oppose Government health insurance for non-Government employees that Government employees get? If they were to be consistent with their political stances they would oppose free/Government health insurance for Government employees AND non-Government employees alike.
As it stands the Republicans are part of the “Imperial Congress” that they talk so badly about.
I don’t accept the premise. While Americans love to bitch about Congress pay raises and sucking the public teat and so on, the reality is that our politicians don’t make much compared to high level private sector positions. For example, Obama makes $400,000 per year for being leader of the United States. Now look at Fortune 500 company CEO pay rates. For many industries, private industry pays more than ten times as much as public service. Republicans don’t get get the same ‘high salary’ as Democrats, they get the same low salary as Democrats. Even adding in pensions and health benefits, their compensation is still far below what they could get in the private sector for jobs as leaders.
Of course, this ignores perks, kickbacks, graft, and other income sources because of their job. But that’s a different issue.
Besides, the republicans aren’t saying that politicians shouldn’t get health care, they’re saying that politicians get health care as a perk that goes with the job. They question why a low level worker who doesn’t have nearly the responsibilities as a Senator does should get the same perk a Senator would.
So…what you are saying is that people in Congress work, they get paid, they get raises, and through their work they get…hold on to your horses here!..benefits?!? And that this goes for both Democrats AND Republicans???
Dirty bastards! They should be content with villas on the black sea and shopping sprees in Paris like everyone else!
Or, to paraphrase: Come see the hypocrisy inherent in the system! Help! Help! I’m being sucret’ed…
Republicans are total hypocrites, no doubt about it. But not because they get health insurance and want the odd raise or two. No more than Democrats are hypocrites for taking crass money and perks for their own labor, instead of donating it all the charities and living simply to work hard for the common man as a reward in and of itself.
Most of the senators are very rich and the salary means almost nothing to them. They do like their perks though.
The congressmen have a wider financial base. Some do not have a lot of money because they are beginning politicians. Those who have n=been around have managed to do pretty well.
Arnold Schwarzenegger at least has the integrity to refuse his salary.
These Republicans want to cut all other Government workers’ jobs and wages. What makes their job more important than the workers who run our state and local Governments? Especially our teachers?
Which would you rather see furloughed? A cop or a US Senator?
You’ve been drinking the kool-aide too much, man. That’s good political rhetoric and all, and I’ve noticed that it seems to be the theme of most of the Dem ads here in New Mexico, but, you know, it’s just rhetoric. You aren’t supposed to take it seriously, ehe?
Neither, really. But I know who is more likely to be, and that, even if it happens to be a US Senator who I despise (and the list is long), who in reality and in the greater scheme of things is more important. And just to be clear, that would be a Senator, tasked to represent a large block of people.
Man…he’s a ACTOR. It’s a GESTURE. You seriously need to get a grip.
Now you’re lying to yourself, and attempting to make me believe your delusions about the GOP. The Republicans have been arguing about cutting Government jobs for years. Latest example. Example #2.
The qualifications to be a Senator are quite low, skils-wise. All you have to do is be popular enough to get the votes, kiss enough ass, and get the right funding. We’ve even had a pedophile child rapist or two as US Senator (See: Strom Thurmond).
Literally speaking, quite LITERALLY SPEAKING, we could replace any US Senator with any regular US citizen and get along just fine. We have done so once or twice almost every election season. Just you try that with a cop or a teacher.
Important, my ass. Please don’t tell me you actually sample any of what you’re pushing here.
Man…he’s a ACTOR. It’s a GESTURE. You seriously need to get a grip.
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He’s an actor but his refusal to take those wages are quite real. You seriously need to get a clue.
Did you even read your cite? There isn’t a single concrete example of Republicans proposing any cuts.
And the other cite specifically says “His plan would leave few places to cut besides teachers and school staff, since about 90 percent of education spending goes to salaries” which suggests that cuts are not being made to jobs currently.
Man…he’s a ACTOR. It’s a GESTURE. You seriously need to get a grip.
Man…he’s a ACTOR. It’s a GESTURE. You seriously need to get a grip.