Congress Gives Themselves A Christmas Gift

This is what really irks me about politics. They are out of touch with reality in Washington.

Members of Congress are allowing the automatic pay increase for 2009 to take place. They will get a $4,700 increase to $174,000. That is an increase of 2.8%. This will cost taxpayers $2.5 million next year. The total cost is not the issue - it is the principle and timing.

This puts lawmakers in the top 6% of wage earners in the country (without any consideration to other sources or spouses' incomes). At time when the nation is struggling it is appalling that they would give themselves a raise when you consider their income.

Most companies are not giving raises and a lot are not getting bonuses. My company is not giving raises and bonuses where cut considerably. I consider myself fortunate especially when I hear of peers at other firms loosing their jobs.

Congress can block the increase, but the bill to halt the raise only has 34 co-sponsors. Its needs 218 to get through. (The names of the 34 should be listed so we know who is really watching out for us.)

Fox News reported that two of the sponsors will give back their money to the Treasury. That is a nice gesture. Maybe others will follow suit or better yet give it to a charitable cause that will do some good for somebody.

This is one that I will email my local representative. (FYI - I did not vote for Ron Klein because of liberal views and the fact I look at him as a Washington insider which is the problem today.)

We should be outraged by this behavior but it is not surprising. Washington asks citizens to do as they say and not as they do themselves. Maybe the average citizen will start to realize the problems we face with our government. The system is good but the people in it are not.

Final interesting note: The Sun Sentinel does not have any coverage of this story. I commend them for questioning Governor Crist's London trip expenses and elected officials actually living outside their districts, but they failed to cover this story that has as much significance.