It was nice to see that the Republican controlled Congress got a pay raise

[Wetzelbill]

Of course, they themselves voted to up their own salaries by 3,100 this year. I am pleased that they are taking such good care of themselves, especially at the same time they rammed through 50 billion in budget cuts in, among other things, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Child Support Enforcement programs. Not to mention that as soon as the Thanksgiving break is over they plan on ramming through another 70 billion in tax cuts, mainly for the wealthy.

So I was wondering many things, but two came to mind.

One, if a pay raise for members of an already well-paid Congress is a good idea, then why isn't raising the minimum wage one too? Seems like there is no excuse to do one but not the other. I would dare say it would be pure hypocrisy not to.

Two, where the fuck are Democrats on this? I'd relish attacking the Republicans on this if I were them. In Pennslyvania, as David Sirota mentions on his blog today, the public revolted when the Republican Lege there voted themselves a pay increase. Why not call these guys out on this? Dems are supposed to fight for us regular folks out there. We're obviously getting shafted at a time when Congressional Fat Cats are raising their own salary! Dem leadership MIGHT want to go out and hammer these guys on this. People already think Republicans lack compassion on these issues. They are beginning to see a "culture of corruption" in Washington and especially in the Republican party. This is a perfect issue for Dems to attack on.

I hope they decide to do so.

[AuntiBush]

1. And they are the FIRST to try and take away our Social Security!

Rat ba$tards!

Watched C-SPAN a week or so back on this very issue "and" the DEMOCRATS were the ones bringing this to American's attention.

Anyone have a link to who voted "yea" and "nay" on this issue?

[wellst0nev0ter]

3. The Pay Raise Was Automatic Based On Inflation for the Year

Not alot the Democrats can do but yell about it.

[baby_bear]

4. That's BS, in my opinion

Sure, it's "automatic," but it's automatic because that's how they voted (several years ago) to make it - so they would get their raises without having to vote on them, making themselves "look good" to voters because they don't have to go on record as having voted themselves a raise.

As for the Democrats, why shouldn't they make a stink? A stink is good. But it is not happening. They all hope no one will notice when accept a little more gravy on their plate

The Dems should push for a bill that goes back to requiring a floor vote on every Congressional pay raise.

b_b

[rock]

6. Yep

"It's the law. There's nothing we could do about it." Sounds super-hypocritical to me.

[kentuck]

2. Yeah, they can't make enough with their criminal activities....

Public servants, you know. They're in it for the money.

[Hubert Flottz]

5. We need to outsource the entire republican party!

Leave their jobs here and send them to India!

[RedRocco]

7. Pay raises ought to be linked to job performance

heres my idea ...
make congressional pay equal to the median income for their home district. this would give them an incentive to create (good paying) jobs .

for that matter the presidents salary shouldn't be more than the national median wage

[Hubert Flottz]

8. Minimum wage is fine for working American families!

I don't see why the Congress Critters can't make it on minimum wage too. They already get all those bribes and "PRESENTS."