Comments on: Pay cut for Congress

By: Steve Dennis

Steve Dennis — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:55:08 +0000

I agree, it will be interesting to see how many follow her lead.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:53:39 +0000

Great suggestion,Mike. Living expenses has been a major reason stated by Congress against pay cuts, and probably at the heart of some of my skepticism that a pay cut will get widespread support. And many have a legitimate argument against it.

Our state is about as far away from DC as you can get. Not only do our representatives have the high costs of West Coast living to contend with plus the need for additional accommodations in DC, travel costs are high in comparison. Especially with the Representatives who, to keep in close touch with constituents and to keep up with frequent elections, must come home much more often than our Senators,these costs are very high. Fundraising trips back home alone eat up a lot of money (there’s an irony, yes?). Your proposal would go a long way to alleviating the problem, but I wonder if Congress could see it so clearly.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:46:11 +0000

Me, too, Larry. While I think that Kirkpatrick is on the level (she put her money where her mouth is), Congress doesn’t have a great record with follow through on pay cuts.

By: LD Jackson

LD Jackson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:24:50 +0000

I truly hope you are wrong, Laurie. It would be nice to see something substantive come out of this effort by Kirkpatrick.

By: LD Jackson

LD Jackson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:23:35 +0000

That’s what impressed me about Ann Kirkpatrick. She is following her own suggestion, even before the proposal has been put to a vote. You have to give her credit for that and it is no small credit, in my opinion.

By: LD Jackson

LD Jackson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:21:22 +0000

I think you have made a good suggestion, Mike. I had not thought of it, but I am sure someone like Kirkpatrick has to run up a lot of expenses, traveling back and forth and keeping two residences. It is something that should be considered.

By: WAH! | Conservative Hideout 2.0

WAH! | Conservative Hideout 2.0 — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:16:55 +0000

[...] Political Realities is discussing a pay cut for Congress. [...]

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:49:15 +0000

I agree with this, and applaud Kirkpatrick's gesture. But, I think it goes a bit beyond a simple pay cut. How many perks do members of Congress receive? It's not as much about the money (and I gather that this is the general theme here), but it is about the disconnect between us and our elected officials. Let's start treating these folks as employees, and not royalty. .-= Matt´s last blog ..Former Citizen from Soviet Bloc Schools Liberals =-.

By: Right-Wing Links (March 9, 2010)

Right-Wing Links (March 9, 2010) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:46:51 +0000

[...] Pay cut for Congress [...]

By: Steve Dennis

Steve Dennis — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:55:54 +0000

While the actual amount of money this would save would be small that is not the main point here. It is the gesture itself that would show the American people that congress understands the plight of the American people. We are constantly being told that we have to sacrifice ( pay more taxes) while congress never has to sacrifice, this would show the people that they are also willing to sacrifice.
BUT, maybe I am just too cynical, but this smells like political posturing during an election year to me, at least by some of them. At least Kirkpatrick is putting her money where her mouth is by giving back the money, I wonder how many others will follow suit, and how many others will vote to cut their own pay.