 
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 4070
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 8:13 am: |    |
This cartoon got me to thinking that the pot is calling the kettle black, when it comes to the Detroit Auto makers. The Big 3 has allowed, (up until now), a middle class lifestyle. Why don't we call them on this ? Private junkets, limousines, etc.
Congressional Perks: How the Trappings of Office Trap Taxpayers
Peter J. Sepp
Executive Summary
Since the founding of the Republic, Americans have had a healthy skepticism of the concentration of power. The Framers of the Constitution established a system they hoped would prevent not only the disproportionate accumulation of influence in one branch of government, but also the disproportionate accumulation of privilege.
Today, Members of the United States Congress enjoy a vast web of perquisites that benefit them personally as well as professionally, including:
* Comfortable salaries that are often determined through legislative sleight-of-hand. Contrary to the arguments of many Washington "insiders," the cost of living has rarely eroded the historical value of lawmakers' pay, which on a constant-dollar basis is hovering near the postwar high.
* Pension benefits that are two to three times more generous than those offered in the private sector for similarly-salaried executives. Taxpayers directly cover at least 80 percent of this costly plan. Congressional pensions are also inflation-protected, a feature that fewer than 1 in 10 private plans offer.
* Health and life insurance, approximately 3/4 and 1/3 of whose costs, respectively, are subsidized by taxpayers.
* Wheeled perks, including limousines for senior Members, prized parking spaces on Capitol Hill, and choice spots at Washington's two major airports.
* Travel to far-flung destinations as well as to home states and districts. Despite recent attempts to toughen gift and travel rules, "junkets" are still readily available prerogatives for many Members.
* A wide range of smaller perks that have defied reform efforts, from cut-rate health clubs to fine furnishings.
But the very nature of public office itself demands a more comprehensive definition of a "perk" than that normally applied to corporate America. Members of Congress can also wield official powers that allow them to continue to enjoy the personal benefits outlined above, such as:
* The franking privilege, which gives lawmakers millions in tax dollars to create a favorable public image. Experts across the political spectrum have labeled the frank as an unfair electioneering tool. In past election cycles, Congressional incumbents have spent as much on franking alone as challengers have spent on their entire campaigns.
* An office staff that performs "constituent services" and doles out pork-barrel spending, providing more opportunities for "favors" that can be returned only at election time.
* Exemptions and immunities from tax, pension, and other laws that burden private citizens -- all crafted by lawmakers themselves.
Congressional pay and perks directly add hundreds of millions of dollars to the yearly bill that Americans are forced to pay for the federal government -- a significant cost for taxpayers, even if pundits dismiss the amount as a "drop in the bucket." Yet, beyond the basic issue of dollars and cents, Congress's perks have other pernicious effects. They distort the budget process, by diminishing lawmakers' moral authority to say "no" to special interest spending requests and benefit boosts for other government officials. They distort the electoral process, by tilting the playing field against challengers. Most importantly, they undercut efforts for long-term economic and budget reform, by insulating Members from the real-world effects of their own policies.
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Ccbatson
Member
Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19096
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 5:04 pm: | |
It is too laugh...BigB, you just now realize that politicians are masters of corruption? And liberal politicians, absent any private sector skills or experience (for the most part) are the worst of the bunch. |
Ccbatson
Member
Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19097
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 5:04 pm: | |
It is to laugh...BigB, you just now realize that politicians are masters of corruption? And liberal politicians, absent any private sector skills or experience (for the most part) are the worst of the bunch. |
Ronaldj
Member
Username: Ronaldj
Post Number: 111
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 11:25 pm: | |
Saw the Dilbert cartoon, too. The spouse and I almost fell off our chairs.
To paraphrase Wm. Shakespeare "First kill all the lawyers" |
Firstandten
Member
Username: Firstandten
Post Number: 727
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 11:38 pm: | |
I always heard the ultimate perk was the fact that Reagan International Airport was never closed. Its real nice how the congressfolks can fly in and then be at their offices a few minutes later. |
Ccbatson
Member
Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19117
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 1:52 pm: | |
On taxpayers dime. And they produce nothing. They need an education on Jefferson style ethics. |
Ccbatson
Member
Username: Ccbatson
Post Number: 19118
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 1:53 pm: | |
On the taxpayer's dime, while they produce nothing. They need an education on Jefferson style ethics. |
Rb336
Member
Username: Rb336
Post Number: 8601
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, March 02, 2009 - 4:55 pm: | |
Now ^THAT^ is particularly funny, considering the source.
that is the first dilbert i've laughed at in years |
Rb336
Member
Username: Rb336
Post Number: 8602
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, March 02, 2009 - 4:55 pm: | |
Now ^THAT^ is particularly funny, considering the source.
that is the first dilbert i've laughed at in years |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 9509
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 02, 2009 - 5:14 pm: | |
Posting twice is fun. |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 9510
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 02, 2009 - 5:15 pm: | |
Posting twice is fun |
Rb336
Member
Username: Rb336
Post Number: 8605
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 8:22 am: | |
yes it is! |