Not only that but think about all the perks and expense accounts they have. They probably make closer to $300,000.00 a year.

It must be really hard to manage on that piddly $174K a year, working part-time/intermittent, with full benefits!

Boo hoo hoo!

....and then, the Weeper of the House with his "pass the damn thing" comment.....for YOU, Mr. Weeper, 'so be it'! Perhaps he needs a drink to calm his nerves!

Since they failed to pass a Budget and now it looks like a Government Shutdown - EXCUSE ME - NO PAY!!!!!!!!!! You do not work - No Pay. So pass a Budget Now. Or is this to hard for you to comprehend?

THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG AND BROKEN IN OUR GOVERNMENT!

Join the rest of us...If you don't work you don't get paid....SIMPLE!

When are WE as a nation going to come together and throw out the bums in Washington DC. We need a rally and move some furniture out on the front lawns of the Capital and White House!

Heck of a job, Congress.

These are the frigging PIGS who are complaining about teachers making $50K a year! Kick them ALL to the curb, Republicans and Democrats, and DON'T let them back in!

On this one thing, I think even all the libtards, moonbats, wingnuts, teabaggers, Democrats, Republicans, Teapartiers, Greens, and everyone else can agree:

If the Congress can't do its most basic job of passing a budget (as required in the Constitution) they should not get paid.

None of the Washington brain dead politicians deserve any pay for the way they ran America into the ground

Ahhh the good old GOP, Im going to throw the workin man under the bus to make a stupid point but I will need to get paid. 174k a year? Live like a regular american and you could live a year off that pretty comfy!! Cut their checks off too, Make em go stand in line for help from the programs they want to cut!

Senators and Representatives get free, unlimited government healthcare for themselves (and their six children, in this instance) for the rest of their lives after just five years of service paid for by the taxpayer.

"I guarantee most of you, I have more debt than all of you.

And they wonder why we think politicians are lying, cheating, self centered, creeps

If hes earning $175K year he should be debt free or he is living WAY above his means

Please. $174K. That's 6 figures buddy. Most of us don't make 6 figures even with husband and wife working. Give me a break! You want to put me out of work - hey I have a mortgage and bills to pay too. So pass the budget.

Really we need to fire ALL of Congress and get rid of the lobbyists and then put all new people in Congress who work for a living and will really look out for the fellow man. The lobbyists run most of Congress.

Elected officials don't need paychecks. They're going to get plenty of kick-backs and post-political career payouts from all of the Big Business contracts they line up while in office. That's what politics is all about now. Seeing how to increase from millionaire to billionaire status.

Mr. Duffy,

We, the people, are not amused. We will remember that it was the Corporate Republican't-Tea Party that shut down the government, and made so many Citizens suffer. Its because of your direct actions, Mr. Duffy that when the shutdown comes, so many elderly and disabled will end up in the streets, meanwhile you whine like a little baby screaming about your family while families in your own state suffer due to your shutting down the Government.

Time to Recall Mr. Duffy.

Maybe if there is a shutdown and congress doesn't get paid for not working, he should go apply for unemployment like everyone else who gets laid off has to do.

Actually, I do believe that the net worth of the incoming cogressional freshman is somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 million. Politicians in general are all part of the upper elite in this country...it is time that the working class of this great nation take back control. Our government is and will forever be controlled by economic greed! Republican and Democrats alike have lost touch with the needs of the common man! We need to do away with all politicians completely!

Congress should not get paid. The Tea Party Congress that is so eager for the government shutdown should be the first to not receive a pay check. End their health care as well.

Blackhills it is a simple answer. Being a politician IS NOT an family supporting career. They represent our entire nation, they must serve us before themselves. That is the one true about politics since it was created and what we need to get back to instead of having corporations deciding what goes on in our country.

@Palin Stupid

Uhh, Obama did not invade anywhere. He just continued the wars that Bush started. But yes, we did waste a lot of oil. And no the wars were not free by any stretch of the imagination, the monetary and list costs of them were, and still are, far too high to have been justified (at least in Iraq, Afghanistan was warranted because of the Taliban).

Why did Obama invade these 2 countries (re: Iraq and Afghanistan)

I hate to tell you, moron, but Obama did not invade these countries.

Atta boy congress. Send even more of us into foreclosure who have fixed incomes. If Dufffy is so worried about his paycheck, he should be the first one in line to champion the case for not shutting down. If you can't pay government employees, remember one thing: YOU GOVERNMENT EMPLOYED IDIOTS WORK FOR ME, NOW GET BUSY OR YOU'RE ALL FIRED!!! Most of you already made your millions & billions on graff, so missing a few paychecks for you is nothing. For those of us on fixed incomes or are working, they mean everything. No pay=late or no bills get paid=lower credit scores=no borrowing money=the rich have it all.

I think it's time congress has to live like the working man & face disciplinary procedures, and not ones made up by themselves. Miss one meeting you are suppose to be at=verbal warning, miss two meetings=written warning, miss 3 meetings=hit the unemployment line. This will purge the system of the deadbeat golfers, world travelers, etc. No excuses accepted, three strikes & your out. And remember, no arguing with we the umpires, that just gets you sent to the dugout early. Gross insubordination. Pick up you're "pink slip" up on the way out of the Capitol & don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Oh, and remember to send us a Postcard from the Bahama's.

@Joe

and why is the senate blocking the bill?

Answer: Repubs are trying to pass riders that are not acceptable.

If you don't do your job, not only should you not get paid, you should be fired! That's what a JOB is!

Why is it that difficult for Congress to see if they can't agree on a budget and federal employees won't get a paycheck, neither should they. Congress is supposed to be part of the elite of the elite, the best of the best when it comes to making decisions.

If one can't live off of $174,000+, then I can guarantee that one may conclude that a person making less will find it more difficult.

Perhaps they can ask GE to pick up the tab for a few days, since they paid ZERO in taxes. The 53% of the people and small business that are saddled with the bill are finding that being the source of the Federal revenue stream is becoming more and more difficult.

Everyone seems to agree that the current system needs to be overhauled and the professional politicians should be relieved of their offices. So how do we accomplish this? Instead of bitching about it online and in closed rooms, I suggest we start organizing. Right your representatives letters/e-mails letting them know how you feel about their lack of service to you their constituents. Also contact the US Goverment Accountability Office for fun,

Nothing will change until you make it happen. Just wait till 2012 when they divide the country again on emotional issues and then forget about every campaign promise they ever made.

@Geowil: aren't a few of the riders something like: eliminate the EPA, eliminate the Dept. of Education, eliminate the healthcare reform law, no funds for organizations that perform abortions, no funds for NPR and the list goes on.

I was surprised the Teapublicans stuck to their guns and told Mr. Cantor & Mr. Boehner to stick their unwanted waste of an engine program where the sun don't shine. That was one budget cut the "leadership of the house" didn't want.

I have heard the same complaint about their pay from this woman

http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=x4ptlrmv0w0r6x

She makes 177K and lost her 3 houses and cried a river.

And those Democrats in Wisconsin who didn't show up for work for weeks, I am sure those of you who believe "no work, no pay" want their pay to be docked, too, right? Andd those teachers who didn't go to their jobs to teach, but had time to go to the Wisconsin capitol to protest, you want their pay docked, too, right? If you are going to wax all self-righteous then please be consistent.

I'm Just surprised the Senate bill came from Boxer, that women and her other California cohorts usually vote raises, etc. during Budget crisises, Maybe she does have a conscience after all or maybe she figured out that unless she starts voting what the people want, then she may be out of a job. I am of the firm belief that no Government Employee or Employee of the people should be paid anymore than $100,000.00 a year for full-time and $60,000.00 for part-time, so I guess Senators and Congresspersons should make no more than $60,000.00 for serving. I also believe that any raises for Congress and Senators need to be voted on by the people and definitly believe " NO BUDGET, NO PAY".

@Joe-755363, you obviously did not read the article. The 2nd paragraph reads;

The Senate, led by Democratic sponsor Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, has already unanimously passed a stand-alone bill to prohibit members of Congress from getting a paycheck in the event of a shutdown.

The Republican controlled house has not passed similar legislation, and moreover willnot even bring a "clean" bill prohibiting pay in the event of a government shutdown to a vote. They obviously don't give a rat's rear end for anyone but themselves, otherwise they would take the 10 minutes necessary to draft such legislation and bring it to a vote, then we would know how much they "care" about the voters and how much they care about lining their own pockets at taxpayer's expense.

I would love to see elected officials, at all levels, take a 50% pay cut and have to contribute a minimum of 20% to their own health insurance and 100% of the cost of insuring their families. Also require them to use other coverage instead of taxpayer funded coverage whenever possible. Then they could truly understand the effects of the decisions that they make. I have no sympathy for any of them, the have the positions that they fought, lied and bought their way into and if they don't like it, they should quit. They are supposed to be public servants, they seem to have forgotten that.

Cry me a freakin river will ya!

Can't believe I actually agree with Red. Fire them all.

http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/senate/1/36

Geowil

@Joe

and why is the senate blocking the bill?

Answer: Repubs are trying to pass riders that are not acceptable.

Nice try. 52 democrats voted against the house's budget as it stood. It's the democrats that want the riders. Try keeping up here.

Allen_Shore

If you don't do your job, not only should you not get paid, you should be fired! That's what a JOB is!

I agree....let's start with the 14 democrats from Wisconsin that refused to do their job. Then we can move on to the Bernake and Geithner and fire them. Oh and let's not forget Eric Holder who has decided he doesn't have to defend American law even though that is his job.

It sounds to me like most of you didn't hear the tape last night of D-Schumer telling all his buddies that the Democratic strategy is to make sure the government shuts down and then blame it on the Tea Party. THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE ONES THAT WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO SHUT DOWN AND WILL BE THE ONES TO BLAME. The Democrats aren't even trying to negotiate a budget (daaa!) and they obviously don't give a crap about the American people or American business. They are too busy playing politics and positioning themselves for the next election. This is the height of stupidity, arrogance and incompetence. All you idiots blaming republicans and the Tea Party need to pull you head out of your butts and apologize.

Disneyanakid: The reason it came from Sen. Boxer is that her net worth was between $1,113,009 and $5,347,000 in 2007, according to Boxer’s mandated financial disclosure statements. She will survive just fine without pay.

Government may shut down, but Congress is still likely to get paid

Well that's a relief. I was so very concerned that our elected officials might have to suffer during these difficult times.

Isn't Duffy the one living in his office so he doesn't have to pay rent? Priceless. Yeah - I guess you could let the Lobbyists know of your predicament, there Duffy. I am sure they will be MORE THAN HAPPY to 'bail' you out - for a price, of course.

Can you LIVE with that?

Entitlement, it isn't JUST for teachers, apparently - Heavy on the SARCASM!

Get Over Yourself! YOU BET THEY SHOULD NOT BE PAID !!, As far as the Teacher's if they were indeed protesting at the capitol when they were supposed to be teaching then yes they need to be penalized !! I have many friends in Wisconsin and all think that collective bargaining should be abolished for public employees, So contrary to MSN's reporting, We shall see what really happens to those DEMS in the next election, I think they may find themselves in the unemployment line.

GetOver - actually , I am consistent, I do not feel that any of the individuals cited in your response should be paid for the times you identified. As a person currently living in Indiana, we have also had a recent issue with "runaway" Congressmen - I dont' feel they deserve pay for the time they spent hiding in Illinois either.

Auto 101,

Very good article. I just don't see those on the left complaining about this person. Only those on the right are wrong. Yet, Richardson can borrow money from herself, not pay her loans, get defaulted on, and get elected, the repay herself from there campaign funds. Where is the outrage for this individual?

Just finished my taxes about 1/3 of my wife and I's paycheck went to support these fools in Washington. I am beginning to wonder who is the bigger fool is congress or me . Party lines do not seem to change a thing they are all in it for the money, power and fame. but on the bright side I get to pay higher taxes, food and gasoline prices and because i vote i get to do jury duty. What a country.

This is a bunch of horse $hit. I know that when I don't work, I don't get paid. It's so sad that our country has become what is has thanks to a bunch of ass jackels from BOTH sides of the aisle. Both sides need to stop behaving like a bunch of 3 year olds and start COMPROMISING. It's really not that hard. Suck it up, ass hats.

I have a great idea Duffy. Try doing all you are doing on $30,000 per year. Better yet take a real gov't job where you punch a timeclock and put in 40 hrs/wk. Then cry about how hard it is. Don't like it? RESIGN!!!!!!!

Pass the blessed bill, do the work you were elected to do and shut the H--- UP!!!!!! One more thing, VOTE WITH YOUR OWN MIND AND NOT WHAT THE LEADERS TELL YOU TO DO!!!!!!!! IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE A 3RD OR LESS OF WHAT YOU DO. IF YOU CAN.

Do as we say, not as we do!

So the Republicans will only agree to include the clause that they not be paid in the event of a shutdown in the very bill whose passage, by definition, would prevent a shutdown in the first place? That's a catch-22 if I ever heard one... They must think that we are really stupid. And I bet you that when the senate rejects their spending bill for a second time they will be out in front of the cameras talking about how it's the democrats who voted against suspending pay during a shutdown..

Am afraid I missed something somewhere....why does congress set its own salary when they are elected by voters who should have to right to say just how much the congress gets paid and when. Even better, why are they allowed anything for life after 5 years in congress..after all..they are elected to the position..and not for life unless they get lucky....which way too many of them have been..and look at the shape this country is in today.

Well I never! I think I will put out a penny jar for poor Sean Duffy.

Just this past week, a mother and her three children, died of carbon monoxide poisoning because their power was turned off, to their home. I do not know why. A neighbor, believing his was helping, brought an portable generator, into the woman's home, so the family could have heat. All four were found in sleeping bags on the floor.

I am sick of "people" welding their wealth and power, that affects innocent human beings. I am sick of people with inherited wealth, who have NEVER paid their dues.

I am sick of people holding the Bible in one hand and a sword in the other, and using religion to base their hatred and bigotry.

I am sick of politicians who talk the talk but have someone else walk the walk. If you cannot work an eight hour day, five days a weak, get out of the way and let someone else provide an honest days work for an honest day's pay.

I am sick of the "haves" getting "special treatment" and "freebies" while, the "have nots" work and pay their fair share of taxes and dues, and never get a break on any thing.

I am sick of people taking and never giving. Share. SHARE. SHARE! SHARE!

Lastly, leave the middle class alone. We do the work. We do the paying. We do the sharing. We do the caring. We are the adults. We are responsible. We make all of YOU look good.

If the Congress does not get paid, I am sure their benefactors, will use their tax exempt ill gotten booty, and help out their puppets. And then the fat cats will "write off" their generousity to their sycophants, on their income tax and of course, God will bless them too.

Excuse my anger, I am just tired, of these ridiculous rules, that arecreated for everyone but, the very people, who break the law and bend the rules, whenever it is to their advantage. Sad.

I don't give a flying d*mn WHICH side is responsible - these are the same jag-offs who were screaming at state and federal workers to take "furloughs", giving up part of their pay every week when most are barely getting by as it is, and these sob's are crying over what is, basically, the same thing? Don't work, don't get paid, life sux, tough toots!!

And if they can't afford not to be without that paycheck, they should have thought of that before giving up the PAYING jobs they had to run for office! If you can't afford it, you shouldn't do it! They'd all tell us we should have banked enough money for any contingency, why the hell didn't they?

Fiesty is right - cry me a friggin river!! Then go drown in it.

Well Garth Lader and Feisty, I see you can't handle the truth, as usual. Therefore you have to collapse me.

I think that congress should make Minimum wage, and have to punch a time clock, not in the building no pay.........after all they think minimum wage is a livable wage, so let them live it.

How about a Jobs Bill? Everyone working, paying taxes and buying the rich persons products that's how the system works Teaparty republicans. You just want your talking points in the news and will do anything for this country to fail. That's what happens when you want the president to fail, and you have no progression plans other than that

Lisa, I think that a lot of them believe the minimum wage is not only livable but that it's too high even...

Does it really surprise anyone anymore that most of our politicians think they should get paid for not doing their jobs?

If the government shuts downs, they should have to collect unemployment like the rest of us!!!

Why did Obama invade these 2 countries.... SIGH..... what was the GOALS!!!! where are the WMDs so we can end these wars! SIGH

Palin Stupid - have you been in a coma for the past 10 years? I don't like Obama, didn't vote for him, and want him out of office ASAP, but he is not the president who invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. If things continue as they are today, he might be the one responsible for invading Libya. Time will tell. In the meantime, review USA and world history for the past 10-12 years.

Therefore you have to collapse me

Skiddy - Do you EVEN bother to read before you shoot off that big mouth of yours?

Or aren't you capable of reading?

See post #1.38

Sorry there buddy... wasn't me! ;o)

Lisa, I think that a lot of them believe the minimum wage is not only livable but that it's too high even...

They won't be satisfied until there are tent cities... OH WAIT!

So let me get this str8. The Republican congressman quit his job to run for office. Now has a job that might have work stoppage, but claim that he must get paid, because he has student loans, a mortgage, six children and a host of other bills? Ok, so all the other federal works will not be paid, but because of this congressman's special circumstances he and the rest of the merry band of thieves are exempted? When did congressional workers shed their federal government work status? I say if the regular federal workers do not get paid, then the senate, house and executive branch should be be paid as well. If you have bills then maybe you should have stayed in the private sector or was it the wonderful health insurance and the retirement that let you make this sacrifice for your family Mr. Congressman? Effing leeches...all of them!

tea party Republican...

174k a year, really. Well try feeding that same family on 40k pal. Oh by the way with no health benefits. Amazing how we are told to do more with less, yet this idiot thinks we are the only ones that should do without. He needs his money. How about people that were unemployed did they need unemployment? I say get off you freeloading butt and go get a job and learn to live within your means. Oh wait only the lazy Democrats need to do that, republicans and teabaggers, get to earn something for doing nothing.

It would be criminal for them to receive pay when they are not doing their jobs!!! A government shut-down would affect millions upon millions of citizens and many negative ways. For these useless nitwits to think they should get paid when they aren't doing their jobs, while I, who has worked hard to save for an upcoming vacation in Yellowstone, which would be shut down in a federal government shutdown - well, with all the other crap going on in the world, that would just about put me over the edge!

kpokeefe "THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG AND BROKEN IN OUR GOVERNMENT! Join the rest of us...If you don't work you don't get paid....SIMPLE!"

Actually, the members of the House DID do their job and passed a budget. It's the Senate, led by Harry Reid, that has refused to pass a budget.

FarginBastige Ahhh the good old GOP, Im going to throw the workin man under the bus to make a stupid point but I will need to get paid.

(and all that voted for your Post) READ THE ARTICLE:

The Senate, led by Democratic sponsor Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, has already unanimously passed a stand-alone bill to prohibit members of Congress from getting a paycheck in the event of a shutdown.

(Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., introduced legislation akin to Boxer's in the House in February.)

The point of all of this is that NONE of them should not be paid anything for not doing their Constitutional (and Amendments) Jobs that they swore or affirmed that they would do (Oath of Office), that is breaking a sworn or affirmed trust of the US Citizens, a breaking of a sworn or affirmed trust is Treason. That is what some posters here and the US Politicians would start screaming if all of us (US Military) came home from abroad and on our own started to protect and secure the US Borders and appreheneding and deporting the over 23 Million Illegal Aliens in the US as a National Security Threat (US Economy, US Jobs, Terrorist Threat (cooperation with Terrorists.), etc.), like President Eisenhower's successful Operation Wetback (legal precedence to deport the "Little Frauds" (aka Anchor Babies).

And do not say that we (US Military) collected paychecks while we were not doing anything (War), as even in "Peacetime" there was always something involving US Military Actions (Combat) ever since the Revolutionary War. Just because it was not made Public, until years, decades, centuries later does not mean that we were doing nothing. And do not say squat about US Military "Benefits" until you see our payroll deductions, if you do want to argue about US Military Benefits, then US Labor Unionize us so we can make, "A Fair and Reasonable Living Wage" for what we do and have to put up with.

I wish I had a good enough life that a $174k income for just one of the adults in a 6 child family was barely enough to live on, that losing one or two paychecks would break the bank. Give me that job please, I won't complain.

(And come on guys, lets not compare this to the 14 senators in WI. They weren't the only ones not doing their jobs. If listening to your constituents is part of the job, then many representatives across the country don't do that.)

Actually the Congress just votes their raises. Note:http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/agencies/a/raise4congress.htm

Yes, they are getting their pay and raises. And then tell the middle class workers in the private and public sectors that THEY MUST SACRIFICE !!!

All of Congress costs $200 million a year. (That includes perks).

We have spent 3 times that attacking Libya so far.

So all you geniuses, if they don't pass a budget, and they were to not be paid - wouldn't they not have to work?

So then they wouldn't have to meet to pass a budget.

Ever.

No work, no pay is also NO PAY, NO WORK.

So how would that work? Permanent Gov't shutdown?

Ya'll need to think before you let your emotions rule you.

None of you would work for free....

OK, those of you that pay income tax work for free for the first 1/3 of the year.

There is a false comparison going on in more than a few of these posts. That comparison is between the our federal congressmen and women and senators and the state representatives who left their state and the protesters.

1) The state legislators who left their states did not cause their state government to shut down. Many of them also were able to continue working using their network connections and phones.

2) Striking workers do not get paid when on strike. The union may have a strike fund set up to help but even that doesn't provide a full paycheck to the strikers. It is why the union members must vote to go on strike and their leaders can not force them to strike.

3) The protesters were using earned time off, some used vacation time, some used personal time and, yes, some even used sick time but all of it was earned (just like anyone in the private sector earns these very same things). IMHO, the sick time is entirely valid, the thought of having your rights striped from you under false pretenses should make anyone ill.

So, no, I do not think that the protesters should not get docked for that time if they earned it and no, I do not think the legislators who left should not be paid for that time. It is a false comparison.

Wha-a-a!!! to the spoiled Little Republicans in Congress, who are far more concerned with getting their paycheck first, while busy chopping big time in Medicaid, SS, Medicare, etc. because after all, they consider those programs, "Socialism". As for whiny Rep. Sean Duffy (REPUB-WI), if he can't get by on the beginning salary of $!74 K a year, then perhaps he needs to practice more restraint in the reproduction department as-well-as the spending department, since he already has 6 children, and stop his whining about having to pay his BIG BILLS. There are many people out there with bills to pay and they have had NO PAYCHECK at all for a very long time. Congress needs to spend more time with getting the real job done for their Constituents instead of whining and arguing with everyone over more tax breaks for the wealthy elite, big businesses and then placing the burden of the cut backs on the shoulders of the middle class, poor, and elderly.

Congress - THE ULTIMATE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNION:

Low quality work.

World-class featherbedding.

Top-of-the-line health care.

Vacation whenever they want it.

Very good pay - and they even get to decide how it should be taxed.

This is a very bad union. We should get rid of it.

Joe######

the dems who left Wi. were doing their jobs to protect their constituents. Are you one of those people who will sell everyone?

Fiesty.

A topic you have not had your comment collapsed on... I am proud of you.

Mr. Duffy gave up a wonderful job as a prosecuting attorney. Ashland County WI.

Not one to complain about this sort of thing but he got his JD in 1999. How long can one milk a student loan? I am afraid I went on a cash paying basis worked 3 jobs and didn't mind terribly sucking the public university system for all it was worth back in 1975.

I used to be a republican, but when the religious right hijacked it to create the Reagan intrusion into everything we do, expanded govt by over 50% of even LBJ's welfare state (now in gen 3) and decided mental health should be dealt with by state prison systems run by private contractors I began to see that maybe there was something afoot in this country that might not make my dotage as comfortable as I was envisioning.I debated anarchy. Now I think we need to have that debate again. The supporters of this govt shutdown might hope the weather stays nice. That tornado warning system in your block?...it's a federal program. Worried about earthquakes and tsunamis on the west coast...that's a federal program.

Let's look hard at what we cut. We have the best tax program on the planet for multi-national corporations and billionaires. Maybe we should just eliminate it altogether. They will surely start many business that make stuff we "need" and we will have millions of new jobs that will provide maybe as much as 50K a year. Your house is now affordable if you let the bank have it then buy it back at the foreclosure sale.

My taxes have not been over 13% after deductions for quite some time thanks to all the loopholes and credits etc that any American can use. Problem is that just ain't quite enough. Cut education..what the hell we obviously can't compete with the world. Cut all discretionary programs that help or directly touch the lives of 90% of us.

We will all join Charlie in "Winning"

Social Darwinism will eliminate the weak and stupid within a few years.

Join me on my mountain top retreat here at Ruby Ridge, bring more bullets. You can never tell when some liberal bastard will want to "distribute our wealth"

I see most people are united in that congress should not get paid, let us not forget we would not be in this predicament if the democrats had passed a budget last year like they were supposed to, or even proposed one. They were just to concerned with the mood of the country at voting time to pass a big spending budget. And I agree everyone in Congress should not get paid, in fact they should show the example and give back 1/2 there pay and freeze pay raises for the next decade. Duffy, I'm a conservative and I couldn't care about your debt and family, since you guys on both sides don't care about ours.

Typical Republican . . . TYPICAL

First, all your Repubs have an aneurysm over welfare. You cry (literally) and scream about people getting handouts, being lazy, and not working for their paycheck.

Then the EXACT same Repubs turn around and support their own for doing the EXACT SAME THING. You voted for the scum that wants a free handout, and wants to be paid for not working. What is wrong with you? Can you say hypocrite? Do you know what that means?

And now we should trust you, and agree that the people YOU vote for will make America better? How? By lowering corporate taxes even MORE? Apparently paying ZERO taxes is not enough. And you claim that will create MORE jobs? How many jobs has GE created? Oh . . . that's right, they laid off 1/5 of their US work force and sent them overseas. Sure sounds like your plan is working, doesn't it?

I'm just shocked I have not read more Repubs using their typical diversion tactic . . . "Well ya, but it's not as bad as the liberals doing X, Y, and Z"

The newly elected guy spouting off about needing his paycheck proves one thing for certain - he's no politician. A crafty politician would have spun this to read something about his staff and their needs...

As to the budget, the complete cowards running the Democrat party didn't pass a budget at all last year, and they had complete control of congress, so blaming Republicans now is both dishonest and quite honestly ridiculous. Democrats have been are the party of "do it my way or go to hell" and "sit in the back" and "we won" - all completely classless.

Open letter to Duffy and U.S. Congress:

Come on Duffy, put you're man pants on! Do you really expect us to cry for the new congressmen, and yourself (oh, poor Duffy, boo hoo, sob), who earn a paltry $174K, even though that's more than triple the average American salary, just because you might miss a few paychecks. Isn't that like crying with half a loaf of bread under your arm? (sob, sniffle)

And, aren't many of these new members of congress ("oh, poor us, take pity"), the same uncompromising Tea Party crowd who share a big part of the blame for causing the shutdown? So, if you share in the blame, shouldn't you share in the pain too? ("No, it's not fair, boo hoo")

Well Duffy, maybe if you put the violin down (sniff, honk), you and the rest of "America's finest" can get your butts back to the negotiating table and find a way to compromise.

P.S. Oh, and how's that jobs thing going? You remember, don't you? The campaign promises? You were supposed to get this country back to work again? Ring any bells?

[quote]Jemma77

Congress should not get paid. The Tea Party Congress that is so eager for the government shutdown should be the first to not receive a pay check. End their health care as well.[/quote]

Sorry to disappoint you, but the Democrats are the ones trying to force a shutdown.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL Comment collapsed by the community

Note to all:

Can we please refrain from flagging posts that aren't a clear violation of the COH!

Being a tree hugging liberal and all - I prefer to let the ignorance of the tea baggers stand so EVERYONE can see it!

Collapsing them brings us down to the level of the phony free speech warriors on the right!

Thanks

I don't have any sympathy for congressman whining about a pay stoppage in the case of a government shutdown (it should stop just as any other government workers would), but can't we all just stop the bickering between us to focus on the bigger picture for a moment ? Our present state of government is locked into a perpetual self serving bureaucracy that has been out of control for quite some time now. Why do the politicians retain the power to give themselves a pay raise, why can they arbitrarily determine that they should get a cost of living raise, why should not they themselves as government workers be subject to the same rules as any other government worker who is employed by we the people ? In my opinion, they feel above rules because they don't truly consider themselves as employees of we the people, rather they are service employees and policy facilitators, more in step with Big money and special interests than they are with the american people.

Lets face it, unfortunately our so-called leaders and politicians attitudes and actions have become so entrenched and corrupted by their dependency on big money that many of them have forgotten that their primary duty is to be serving the people first. For many years, access, influence, regulatory laws and favorable legislation have been auctioned off to the highest bidder by BOTH major political parties. If you need proof, take a look at PBS website and type cfmemos in the search window, then click on Now with David Brancaccio.Politics and the Economy.What Money Buys then scroll down to view campaign finance documents from both parties submitted as evidence in the supreme court case McCONNELL v. FEC After reading all of the documents, can you honestly tell me that this is what the american system is supposed to be and as it was originally intended ? I personally found the documents to be disgusting and although legal, a direct conflict of interest of what serving the people should mean to any politician.

The fact that big money actually has more access and control in determining legislation than we the people do should be alarming to any citizen. The recent SCOTUS ruling in CITIZENS UNITED v. FEC has already opened up the floodgates to massive sums of cash in the form of campaign and PAC contributions. How much is enough ? My previously mentioned PBS website documents released from the ongoing SCOTUS case of McConnell v. FEC is a case in which GOP Mitch McConnell is apparently challenging the remaining existing restrictions on campaign contributions in an effort to get more cash to be released. In addition, he and other GOP legal operatives are systematically filing suits in state and other federal courts to rule in favor of letting even more cash to subvert our political process ! WTF ? Although this action may be legal, does it not seem to be morally questionable ? As americans, we are and have been in the delusion of living in a representative Democracy, but it seems more like just another con game to me.

Really be objective and took a good look at american history and discover the sordid and inappropriate collusion, between politicians and big money. Our history is tainted with multiple instances of deceptive and immoral behavior between the two at our expense. Check out History News Network website and search for "What are the biggest financial scandals in US history" for a glimpse of how money corrupts absolutely.

Many presidents including Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, Eisenhower, JFK and others have consistently warned of the dangers of allowing money and power to usurp and corrupt government. Evidently their warnings fell on deaf ears !

In my opinion, the only way to effectively and proactively "Take Back Our Country" is to temporarily put aside differences and unite as one huge coalition block of Americans and demand for Campiagn Reform that Prohibits Big Money from corporations, the wealthy elite and special interests from influencing our political system. The US is only one of a very small handful of western countries that still allow big money interests to donate money to election campaigns. Government would function with more efficiency and transparency and could more fairly represent the broader spectrum of citizens interests if it wasn't encumbered by owing favors to big money or special interests. I think that it is imperative to fervently insist on Public Financing of elections if we ever want to see positive change. If we fail to act, I am truly cynical of what the future holds for us and future generations.

On the brighter side, if we can accomplish this first, then we can get back to the bickering, blaming and name calling here ! Ha !

The biggest problem in government is the issue of term lengths. We should make sure people working for the government, public office or holding a public seat are limited to the time they are allowed to work for the government. This doesn't go for military, police or other hard working types, this goes for these whiny sons of guns who think they are above us all. They need to be taught the value of a dollar, and it sure as hell wont be easy to teach them this value if they checks are always government subsidized. How in all hell would they know what its like for the common white collar or blue collar worker? The wouldn't and they don't. This is freaking ridiculous, the people are pretty much making it easy for these a-holes to continue ripping our country apart. What a shame, and for a long time this was the best country in the world.

I think its time to replace the old haggards in high-level government positions with our younger generations. These old mugguckers are completely out of touch with the constituents.

TruthSeeker - you are correct in stating that one of the biggest problems is term limits in Congress. However, your statement "We should make sure people working for the government, public office or holding a public seat are limited to the time they are allowed to work for the government" does not really state that. If a person is elected to the House and finished his first term in office, then he has been limited to the time allowed for that first term. The problem is that he can get reelected and continue to serve two-year terms. We need definite limits to the number of terms that an elected official can serve. Some have suggested two terms for the Senate (12 years) or six terms for Representatives (also 12 years). The Founding Fathers never intended for citizens to make a career out of serving in Congress.

It is also important to limiting retirement and health care benefits for Senators and Representatives. They can receive full retirement benefits after serving one term in office. How many of us receive full retirement benefits after working for a company for 6 years? They also should be required to have the same health care benefits as every other citizen in this country. They are not elite, although they consider themselves to be, and do not deserve better health care than the people who elected them.

I'd say if you are working for government you should be given a cap on how many years you can receive a government paycheck. 16 years max! What you do after or before these 16 years is entirely up to you, but 16 years max. For career politicians are worthless at the end of their 35 -40 years in government, they've pretty much used up their usefulness at the 16 year mark.

There's such a disconnect with government and its constituents, its kind of odd these people are still pulling the strings for the benefit of their families, loved ones and futures. All while utilized the hard earned tax dollars their constituents pay their entire lifetimes. Its insane. Flat out.

YOU TOO credence1-1656070

credence1-1656070 - Absolutely, Feisty, Let the overpaid members stew in their own juices. It is good to let them taste what they are so willing to dole out to others. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander, Damnable rightwingers!

READ THE ARTICLE:

The Senate, led by Democratic sponsor Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, has already unanimously passed a stand-alone bill to prohibit members of Congress from getting a paycheck in the event of a shutdown.

(Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., introduced legislation akin to Boxer's in the House in February.)

And yes, they should not get paid squat for doing nothing, their sworn or affirmed Duty of their Oaths of Office. They should be thrown in jail (detention, not imprisonment, a legal technicality) until they do their Sworn or Affirmed Duty to the US Constitution, Amendments, and US Citizens.

As not to b!tch without giving a possible Solution. To stop the insanity, of them having to prostitute themselves, or sell out the Citizens of the US to get Millions in Campaign Contributions: 1. US Representatives (Both Houses) are selected at Random like Jury Duty (including vetting process), 2. This then becomes a Civic Duty and Service to the US Citizens, similar to US Military Service (they still can be subject to the Selective Service, "Drafted"), 3. Their pay is the National Average of the "Middle Class", 4. Term Limits, 5. Their Benefits are like the US Military, including all the payroll deductions, 6. The States own the Houses that are located at cheaper Virginia, not expensive D.C.., 7. They pay for their own transportation to and from Virginia to D.C., 8. They pay for their own Subsistence, Utilities, Cable TV, etc. from their own paycheck, 9. Votes of No Confidence, 10. After completion of Service their Benefits end, 11. The States and Federal Government pay for the movement and shipment of them and their families from their State to Virginia just like the US Military via lowest bidder, 12. Their children must attend Public Schools (maybe then they will actually fix the Broken US Education System), 13. All Lobbyists, Special Interest Groups, etc. 100% Criminally Illegal, as a Crime against the Citizens and Government of the US, aka Treason, 14. One for One Voting on all issues (broadcast each day on News), similar to Electronic Banking, fraud, illegal voting, hacking is monitored by the NSA and reportable to ODNI. ODNI then tasks the appropriate US Law Enforcement Agency (FBI, DHS (Homeland Security), etc.), 15. Elimination of the Electoral College, we are no longer "Too ignorant to determine the highest Offices of the Land, President and Vice President" - arguments of Founding Fathers to establish the Electoral College. The Popular Vote then Determines the President and Vice President of the US, 16. Upon Completion of Service, they are returned to from where they came from (peer pressure to do a good job). 17. Etc. (I mentioned the rest on other Newsvine Topics).

The above would stop the requirement for our Representatives to prostitute themselves, sell out US Citizens, etc. to make Millions USDs to Billions USDs to campaign for Office. As the Law, already exists as far as Campaign Reform and did not help anything, McCain Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (Law), as "Mr. Corporate America" Legal Briefed, 2010, the US Supreme Court to allow "Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions", since prior to the 2008-2009 he admitted that he received nearly a Billion USDs from each Corporation. If the US Supreme Court Ruled otherwise, the 2008-2009 Elections would have been Ruled Illegal/Invalid. For his admitted violations of the McCain Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Law (Act), "Mr. Corporate America" was slapped on the wrist, 2011, fined $200,000.00.

Wow Dave...that's quite the rational concept. and somewhat close to how it was done between 1789 and 1855.

But as a wealthy businessman living on old generational money I will get with my bud "the Donald" and we can easily come up with 6-7 hundred million to ensure we buy the most ill educated to ensure we can raise enough scare hysteria to ensure your dastardly plot cannot ever win favor with the unwashed masses and deprive me of my entertainment. Might even give 'ol Rupert a tickle and see if he can have Glenn and Rush do a couple weeks of how that's a commie socialist agenda while we're at it.

Point 9- "No Confidence"? Who are you kidding...15 minutes after getting into those luxury gvt quarters your state will provide you will have lost confidence in them. We would have a new "gvt" every 2 weeks ...ohhhh wait I like that no interference in my business cause no gvt...carry on with this one. (Just like the Japanese version of the NRC I set up with TECO a few years back...now that was sweet)

Point 13- That's a bit far..how will the rejected not quite jailed for their crimes former members of congress keep the life style they have become accustomed to?

point 15- Are you insane??? allow the people the right to elect. I will counter that with 3 new supreme court justices we are working on buying.

I realize that truth should never get in the way of a good line of BS - but you should review how the states that have imposed term limits are doing...

In AZ - the state legislature (term limited) continually passes laws to support their lobbyist donors. They are focused on setting up their next job instead of taking care of the people's business. This is what we would get with a US Congress with term limits.

Remember - you get what you pay for.

Subbslr- Point 9- "No Confidence"? Who are you kidding...15 minutes after getting into those luxury gvt quarters your state will provide you will have lost confidence in them.

I kept that post (#2.4) short, and did not describe everything, like those "luxury government quarters your state will provide you".

Are like the currently occupied substandard Housing on US Military Installations, at the maximum the average of the "Middle Class" Houses.

As far as the votes of "No Confidence", what are you going to base it on, until after they have done something (Actions, not Words) or done nothing.

Sorry, after being in Afghanistan for years of consecutive tours (previously years of consecutive tours at Iraq), I really do not know who most of those people are that you mention, most times our internet access is limited and monitored; we have limited or no video streaming.

Subbslr - Point 13- That's a bit far..how will the rejected not quite jailed for their crimes former members of congress keep the life style they have become accustomed to?

They would be the last, and allowed to fade into the past, just like fired Generals are allowed to Retire (same restrictions placed on them also).

Subbslr - point 15- Are you insane??? allow the people the right to elect. I will counter that with 3 new supreme court justices we are working on buying.

Who nominates the US Supreme Court Justices, and who approves or disapproves the nominations.

How can you guarantee that you will buy ill informed uneducated people, since they are selected at Random like Jury Duty. Then there is the crime called Jury Tampering, Bribing Elected Officials, etc.. Remember what I stated about "Special Interests and Lobbyists". As far as uneducated people just because someone has a Diploma or College Degree saying, "I are edumacated" (purposely misspelled), what does that mean, nothing. example: Current US Situation versus current situation at Brazil as run by a person with only a fourth grade education, with Brazil now the 5th Best Economy, got out of the Global Economic Crisis years ago that the US is still in, have real Alternative Energy (to get away from Oil). So, you have to ask the current Politicians (all Parties) "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader"; from their actions (not words) they are proving that they are NOT.

interested observer,

The Term Limits, as I proposed in my post at #2.4. Already considered your concerns (Vetting Process). In many cases when you consider the Term Limits that I mentioned, just like the US Military as far as their "Next Job", they would have a perference similar to a Veteran's Preference in getting their "old job" back from prior to be randomly selected. Just like I stated at the begining of that solution, I did not post all of the details, and researched "legalese" that could make my solution a reality.

All very true, we DO need to send the old, entrenched, career politicians, who've NEVER held a REAL WORKING job in their lives, packing and end their prolonged gravy train, but THEY are the little douchebags who'll stand in the way of passing such legislation. Some SERIOUS court battles, along with open revolt from the citizens may be necessary.

david-475776

Thanks for a well presented comment regarding the congressional whiners (which IMO should shut the F$#k up and suffer like the rest of us !), but especially your attempt at offering a solution. i don't necessarily agree with all of your solutions but it was well intended and was with logic and headed in the right direction.

IMO The main thing the american public urgently needs to address is our present system of Campaign Finance laws and admit that corporate's ability to endlessly and without limits fund political candidates and parties is both unfair and unwise. Presidents Linclon, FDR, Jefferson, Eisenhower,and JFK all publicly warned against it to a seemingly deaf public. This practice is directly at the root of why we have a government that thinks they are above principled management of the Nation. The balance of access, influence, regulatory laws, and social legislation is heavily tipped in corporate power's favor over the common man/woman. We have been duped into believing that we live in a fair and representative democracy, when in fact it is nothing more than a deceptive charade perpetrated by the collusion of both corporations, wealthy elite, and special interest groups along with politicians that dictate the direction and policies of our country, and not we the people !

Although both dominant political parties are complicit in this gaming of the system for their own self serving interests, the main political culprit seems to be the GOP. If you look through US political scandal history, the GOP's dirty hands are all over the place. I could give numerous examples but I am not going to do anyone's research for them. The truth is there if you care to find out for yourself. With the recent SCOTUS ruling that gave corporations and special interests the right to flood the coffers of both political parties ability to generate unlimited campaign funds as well as Huge PAC funds, it should be fairly obvious that "He Who Has the Most Money Rules". Is this in our best interests ? Is this what the founding fathers envisioned as a more perfect union ? is the perfect union a union of only the wealthy elite and politicians ?

With the GOP being the main political culprit and promoter and recipient of big money (notwithstanding the DEMS own complicity) our country's political process is indeed being corrupted by money. GOP Mitch McConnell apparently isn't satisfied with just the Citizens United v. FEC ruling that unleashed the power of money to further corrupt the system. He and other GOP legal operatives have launched multiple suits challenging campaign laws in state and federal courts in an effort to remove any other existing restrictions on money that can be contributed. At the same time, he, along with many State GOP governors and legislatures are furthering the GOP collusion to crush the Unions to reduce their (admittedly also negative) influence on politics. This is purely an attempt to weaken the traditional Union support of Democrats. This is also being combined with GOP states to enact very restrictive voter registration and voter rights legislation within the states under the guise of protecting voter abuses, but again is only a ruse to make it harder for or to prevent mainly students, minorities, and the elderly from voting for Democrats. As a further insult to the fairness in the election process, the GOP house promoted and passed the bill HR 359 Jan,26,2011 sponsored by Tom Cole (R-OK) to terminate the voluntary public financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions under the pretense of saving the US taxpayers $520 million over the next 10 years. WTF !!! First of all, it's voluntary contributions made by taxpayers when checked off on their tax form and it would only save the average american family a measly $5.10 ! In reality, the bill was utter political grandstanding BS, because if the public wanted to de-fund the public financing they could have done it by themselves and without a formal bill by simply refusing to check off the voluntary box on their tax form ! What a vacuous stupid waste of time ! Any one of these actions would be bad enough......... but all of these actions combined smells of a well planned and organized conspiratorial agenda to seize absolute power of government and with all the money that the GOP is likely to amass they are going to stop at nothing or refrain from stooping to the lowest level to get what they want. if they succeed, the result will be that all americans will be the losers, including democrats, republicans, tea party people, and independents alike. We, the american people, will lose any and possibly all of the little influence we the people have left and then where will that leave us ?

If there are any of you that doubt the insidiousness of money in politics, I urge you to go to the PBS.org website, then type in cfmemos in the search window > then click on Now with David Brancaccio.Politics and Economics.What Money Buys and then scroll down the page to view some campaign finance documents released from the supreme court case McConnell v. FEC There you will find documents from both DEMS and the GOP in the form of personal letters and email soliciting for campaign donations and in fact telling the prospective donors what their contributions will buy in the form of favorable legislation, direct access to the president or congressional leaders, participation in regulation meetings, invitations to high profile government parties and dinners, appointments to ambassadorships, and photo ops with the president or other high level government officials. I personally find it all quite offensive and although legal it strikes me of being somewhat morally bankrupt. Our government is being sold by our elected officials to the highest bidders by both political parties and I would think this should be alarming for all americans regardless of party affiliation.

This destructive relationship between big money and politics must stop if we the people are to ever expect a return to a true and fair representative democracy and a positive change. It's so unbelievably hypocritical of US policy to lecture any other nations of the world when allowing this kind of crap to go on here. The US is one of the only countries in the world that allow their elections and subsequent legislation to be influenced by unlimited campaign money because it has been demonstrated time and time again that it will create huge problems if allowed. The ONLY solution to the problem of stopping the undue influence of big money and special interest groups is to publicly finance our entire election process. Anyone agree or disagree and why ?

I am a disabled military retiree. I make about 1/3 of the income the representatives of the people do. Mine is a paycheck to paycheck existence. I am able to live comfortably on my income. What is their problem? I too drive a used mini-van. Bought used and financed. It's a 2001 year model. Why does this member of congress think he is special and needing more money? Let him try to exist on the salary and perks of a military member assigned to the D.C. area.

He is special. Just not in a good way.

right on!! how stupid is this country!? how stupid are some of the lawmakers, and those who elected them. This country need education more than ever.

To jjdcc:

I agree, but remember it takes TWO parties working together to f*ck things up this badly.

2 words: TERM LIMITS

VERY! stupid is your answer to that question lol you can feed the American people anything smh... @ sue0415 you said it best education!

I guess they get paid because they exempt themselves from many of the laws thay pass such as not having to participate in the Obamacare.

If anyone thinks Congress is going to take a pay cut or stop their pay altogether because ther're not working, I've got some land in the Everglades I'd like to sell to you. We need to remove every last one of these people come the next election. What this country needs right now is a viable third party called "The Party of Common Sense".

After 23 years in the Air Force and 10 years in the Veterans Administration I say I will stand toe to toe and kick the blanking __— of any politician who cuts my pay. Give me a break. Most of you in the Senate doe not deserve the pay you get. You certainly don't deserve any sympathy. Wait til you put you a_— on the line!!!!

Aside from the fact that Duffy is totally out of touch with reality, and expects US citizens to do what HE is not prepared to do (whatever happened to leading by example??), it seems Duffy is living beyond his means. As a suggestion, maybe you and the the Missus should spend less time knocking out puppies (6??? Are you insane??) and more time reading a book or something. Who in their right mind has that many kids when people like Duffy can't afford them? Exercise a tad bit of restraint, will ya? Do the words "use a rubber" mean anything to you??? UUGGHHH!!!

Sorry Lep... condoms make jesus cry, and big families are the best families- YAY REPUBLICAN!

@Tom: no person with common sense would even think of being a politician. The very notion of being a politician removes all sense from the brain.

Tom-881115 (#4.6), Make that "The Party of the Common Man", Thomas Jefferson would support that.

Jefferson neither liked nor trusted big government, big business, or big banks, unlike like our current Congress, DEMs and GOPers alike.

Tom...I agree that we need new faces in both the Congress & the Senate. However, the way things are now....we'd have the same problems. The "ordinary" man or woman can't afford to run for these offices, and if you don't have support from "big business" to "buy" your way into these positions, you will never make it. Without their money to pay for your expensive advertising, flyers, TV spots, etc., no one will know your name or vote for you. The average HONEST person doesn't have a chance at running for Congress or Senate. So, if we vote the current administration out....we'll just get another administration bought and paid for by big business. We need to do away with lobbyists, allowing corporations to pay for candidate's campaigns. Instead, we need to have a fund with a "set" amount of money which is given to each candidate running....they will have to do all their campaigning within that amount of money -- no outside money is allowed to be given to them. This is the ONLY way we can hope to get an actual HONEST politician elected. Keep BIG BUSINESS out of the political arena entirely! But, that ain't going to happen, so voting these guys out will probably not do us much good...we'll just get another set of the same!!

I bet their staffers will get paid also. It's a bit of a joke. If they shut it down--does that mean they will have more camera time and time with lobbyists?

Leprechaun1230 - there was an episode of "You Bet Your Life" during the 50s or 60s in which Groucho Marx interviewed a man who had some ungodly number of kids. Groucho made the statement to the man, "I love my cigar, too, but I take it out of my mouth every now and then". Applies to Duffy, wouldn't you think?

Hugin and Munin - Sorry Lep... condoms make jesus cry, and big families are the best families- YAY REPUBLICAN!

Ah, guess what, what Church said that. Hint: Pope. And take a rough guess what the majority of that Church are the Political Party of. Hint: Senator Kennedy, President Kennedy, Senator Kennedy, Ambassador Kennedy, etc.. Take a rough guess what Political Party controls the "Bible Belt". Hint: Most Religions promise things that they cannot deliver on.

dirp101 - @Tom: no person with common sense would even think of being a politician. The very notion of being a politician removes all sense from the brain.

clearly Hugin and Munin is going to be a politician based on your post.

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE REPUGNANTS, DEMONCRAPS, INDEPENDS (in Adult Diapers) WHY?

Like I said they all MUST prostitute themselves, sell out US Citizens to get Campaign Contributions. I already told all of you what President Obama did to get his current Campaign Contributions of $1 Billion USDs:

Sorry, Politicians' Dance Cards Are Full

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/21/ftn/main6228685.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea
The Price Tag Of Politics

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6228712n&tag=related;photovideo

I already gave all of you the possible solution at post #2.4.

The polls show a shutdown would favor the Democrats and the President. Just as in 1994, the American people see the Democrats as "willing to compromise" and the GOP as "unwilling to compromise". This would be political suicide for the GOP, but I'm beginning to think they never see beyond the end of the day.

I still hope the GOP sees that the good of the country is more important than these partisan games. However, I don't have much hope.

Duffy chose to have six children and quit his job, while Federal workers did nothing to cause their shutdown. They also have to pay for mortgages, bills, college tuition, food, clothes, etc. with savings (if they have enough) or face financial ruin. All of this is politics for the party and not for the people. Put the funding for Federal workers in a single bill and see who votes to pass it. Then we will all see who's looking after the people and not just themselves. We will also know who to vote for in 2012.

Aten, CA,

Just as Clotho implies, as "The polls show a shutdown would favor the Democrats and the President. Just as in 1994, the American people see the Democrats as "willing to compromise" and the GOP as "unwilling to compromise".

Blocking the Budget is a current Demoncrap Partisan move, not the Repugnants. And if you think I do not know what I am talking about you try and still work from money from a CR. Demoncrap Controlled Congress (House and Senate), President and Vice President, until the freshmen Congressmen get to the House 112th Congress. And if you think any freshmen Congressmen (or women) know anything about how to really do anything or have any Political clout, you are sadly mistaken, they must attend classes after being elected before they can even sit in the chair. And what most people do not know is that it is the Staffers, not their elected Politicians that do all the Research, then give the Politicians their recommended positions on the issues; meaning the Politicians are only as good as the Staffers that they hire (the US Military Congressional Liaison Officer is an Assigned Position (regardless of Political Party, as most Officers know it is a career killer if there is a Political Party Regime Change, so most US Military Officers become apolitical, non partisan. As by US Congressional US Military Officer's Commissioning Certificate, US Military Officer's are your Representatives external to the US, and the Representatives of the US Citizens of the US Military; also by Oath of Office of a Commissioned Officer (different Oath than Enlisted and NCOs).

david-475776

After praising your comment in an earlier post, I am now wondering WTF you are going on about in this post. I checked all over the place for info on US Military congressional liaison officers and all I could figure out from the info I read is that that there are many different types of military congressional laison officers acting as military specialists in their fields of expertise that do advise and coordinate information to the congress but they are not part of any individual congress members permanent staff ! They also coordinate and advise FEMA and Homeland Security. Did I miss something here or can I have some of what you're smoking ? Ha !

Retired, what about the Farm Subsidies, certainly true conservatives and Tea Party favorites would never support those socialistic, big government programs, now would they. I guess the term "welfare queen" has taken on a much broader meaning than in the past. Just another reason why I no longer support the GOP, the current version of the GOP is full of it, and we all know what "it" is.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/taxonomy/term/8409,10807

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1209/Antisocialist_Bachmann_got_250k_in_federal_farm_subsidies.html

Retired military you got it 1/2 right typical republican and democrat, they really are the same animal. They both take the same line do as I say and not as I do.

richard-1957365,

What I find that is really stupid is that most people do not know the Historical Background (not the revised History) of the Repugnants, Demoncraps, Tea Party, etc..

In that the Federalists (predecessor to the Repugnants) demanded a strong centralized Federal Government as the Republic of America. The Demoncraps wanted a decentralized Government with State's Rights, including printing their own money, voting on slavery, Taxes not centrally collected by a Central Government and spent in other States, etc. pertaining to their own States. Resulting in the Demoncrap States Succeeding from the Republic of America (Federal Union of States.) and the American Civil War. The main issue was NOT Slavery as demanded by the Democrap States, it was State's Rights as later Amended into the US Constitution.

Prior to the American Civil War the Northern States were industrialized (less man power). The Demoncrap Southern States were primarily Agricultural (labor intensive, so Slaves).

This is why it is hypocritical for the Demoncraps to start yelling about Arizona, without regard to the Democrap History of State's Rights.

The Tea Party, at one time that was an Indicator of Patriotism against the British Taxation without Representation. To the British Crown, Tea Party, was considered a term of High Treason. Tea Party origin Boston Tea Party as a demonstration against King George of England's Stamp Act, Tea Tax, etc. to fund the British Military Standing Army at America as well as fund the other British Military Forces at the other British Colonies, and to decrease the British Debt. The British Standing Army at America was NOT to fight the "Indians" nor protect the American Colonistsas the American Colonists already had an "Organized Militia", the British Military was used against the American Colonists, first without writ nor warrant searches, and the seizure of the "Organized Militia's" Armories by General Cornwallis and Henry Clinton (ancestor of Bill) prior to the start of the Armerican Revolution. With the American "Organized Milita" (without weapons) fleeing with the Founding Fathers, the British Regulars, British Loyalists, British Bounty Hunters, etc. The Individuals of the Minutemen (farmers, shopkeeps, merchants, hunters, trappers, etc.) later held off the British Regulars until the American Colonists First Continenital Army could be formed with General George Washington in Command. This Historical perspective is why the US Supreme Court Ruled the D.C. Anti Gun Laws Unconstitutional, recognizing that the "Organized Milita" (Uniforms, Conventional Napoleanic Warfare) and the Individuals of the Minutemen (no uniforms, Asymmetric Warfare) were two distinct entities; and this was known by the Founding Fathers.

And now the irony is that we (the US) have become what the early American Colonists escaped from and the American Colonist fought and die for during the American Revolution.

If Health Care was about Repugnants, Demoncraps, Independs (Adult Diapers).

Then this would have been the way Senator Kennedy (RIP) proposed (like he was getting). That would be the implementation of President FDR's Universal Health Care for All US Citizens. This would be accomplished by eliminating the Insurance Corporations out of the Medical Profession (especially their Management of Medicare, and padding their costs to make profits of $17 Billion to $18 Billion each year). This would result in a minimum of and 80% proven decrease in Medical Treatment Costs. Today the last vestiage of President FDR's Universal Health Care for All US Citizens, is what US Congress, US Vice President, US President get for $42 per month, Unlimited Medical Treatments.

Part of the History of President FDR's Universal Health Care for All US Citizens:

Decreases cost 80% by Doctor David Ores, New York.1:45

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5247963n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

So instead of real Health Care you got (payback for Campaign Contributions, current President Obama's $1 Billion USDs from the below):

Unlikely ally of health care reform: business
Insurers, drug companies came on board early and may profit from it

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35989945/ns/business-us_business/

And verified by PBS: Documentary "Obama's Deal".

And do not tell me that I did not warn all of you I have been posting this for a long time before.

Just like I told you that by Law, Health Care Reform, that the Insurance Industry gets $67 Billion USDs, Medical Device Industry $20 Billion, and the Pharmascheutical Industry gets $23 Billion. This is listed under the Possible Source of New Revenues section of the current Health Care Reform Law (Act). This is why this will cost all US Citizens $1.7 Trillion USDs (not including Inflation).

So sure holly-2516910 the Repugnants took away something you did not have to begin with. And the Democraps gave all that money as payback for Corporate Campaign Contributions.

And how about all the Democraps, Repugnants, Independs screaming cut "Entitlements" like Social Security. Do you know how stupid that is. Social Security is a Contribution Fund (bottom of your paycheck as a deduction), and is NOT an "Entitlement". They just do not want to payback all the money that they robbed from the Social Security Funds, by using the Social Security Contribution Funds as their own piggy bank.

All of you keep equating Insurance Corporations with Health Care (Medical Profession), OK, let an Insurance Adjuster do surgery on you.

I previously told all of you how to kick the Insurance Corporations out of the Medical Profession, especially out of mismanaging Medicare.

ALL of you are so Partisan that you cannot see that all of them (Demoncraps, Repugnants, Independs, etc.) pulled the underware that you are wearing over your heads and tied a knot in it so all you can see is your own sh!t stains, after they have already anal raped you. WAKE UP.

If something is not done soon then everyone, except them (professional Politicians), are going to end up with Great Depression Era Dog Food Stew.

Let's see: $174K divided by 12 = $14,500 per month. Gosh, I don't know anyone who could live on that kind of gross income. with all the deductions Duffy has I bet his taxes are on a par with GE's (zero). I hope he is hiding his face in shame, except all his "colleagues" in Congress will give him a sympathetic pat on the back-in private, so he can bravely face the public and claim he is a victim of the other party.

The answer is staggered term limits- 12 years each for Reps and Senators. 1/6 of each legislative body should be "retiring" each election year. Institutional memory and knowledge is in the hand of the staffers anyway, so no loss. Let them have a small contribution to a 401K for their service. If they need more for a "good" retirement, they should plan ahead like the rest of us.

Maybe then we could get a law written that denies corporations the rights of individual citizens and dare the Supreme Court to find it unconstitutional (that decision was an abomination!). Big business really runs the Congress and tries, maybe more successfully to run the States.

So, this is PUBLIC SERVICE people. Public service means they should not get a paycheck and then maybe they would not be running this country into the ground.

Barbara, i like where your heads at, but stop and think about what you're saying. If there were no money to be made in public office, the only people who would run for it would be those who are already so well off that they don't need a paycheck anymore. You think those are the best people to be the stewards of the working class?

Cut their pay, yes, but not to 0.

Ted Kennedy didn't need a paycheck. He was one of the biggest champions of rights for the common man and woman. In fact, so was JFK, so was Bobby Kennedy. Nelson Rockefeller didn't need a paycheck and New York State as a whole did very well during his governorship. Today, New York State is on the brink of bankruptcy, if we aren't there already.

The problem with todays politicians is that they are too busy serving themselves. That is their only motivation for running for office.

Better yet, how about performance pay. Actually make them earn their money. The working class all have to prove themselves in their job. Or they don't have a job. When have you ever heard of a government official getting fired. Maybe resign due to scandel, or stealing or drugs, but never fired. All these government officals, feel once they have been elected, it's party time on the taxpayer. And sadly it is and they know it. 174,000 per year, tell that idiot to get a vascectomy. His insurance will pay for it. OPPPSSS, I'm sorry the taxpayer will pay for it. Can anyone get me duffy's address, I will send some tissue if he doesn't get paid.

as you know pigs don't fly also they all get an automatic raise every year unless they vote not to take the automatic raise. I bet they didn't vote that down either and just watch they will get their check with the automatic raies!

It's purely a political ploy. They call the budget bill "Prevention for Government Shutdown Act" (They can call it whatever they want, and the GOP is great at rhetorical names). They put in the uncompromised GOP budget that they know the Senate will reject. Then, the GOP can point at the Senate and blame the Senate Democrats from passing the "Prevention for Government Shutdown Act", as well as rejecting the GOP proposal to withhold Congress' paychecks.

It seems obvious, but there a lot of people who don't look too deeply into things.

Beverly....I believe Daniel was being facetious.

Yep --- $174,000 per year and Speaker Tan-man only has them working 3 days a week.

If you are waiting for the government to hand you a job, you should be prepared for a long wait. They are not a national employment office. Congress can create an atmosphere that encourages private industry to hire. Reducing corporate tax rates, eliminating Obamacare, restricting executive branch's ability to hobble entire industries on a whim (think oil, coal, nuclear) etc are good things that do just that.

Take a look at the proposed FY12 budget, entitlement spending is a big portion of it. A portion we an reduce to cut our national deficit.

michelle,

all the things you mentioned that are being taking away from you is what is wrong with this country. we depend WAY to much on the goverment for everything. You should thank me for working hard to pay for all of the things you get from the government while I get none of it. The reason this country can't balance a budget is because the size of the government sector and proportion of GDP has gotten out of hand. All that said, I agree with everyone's grief about the congressment still getting paid over a shutdown. If they can't get by for a short time with a 174k+ salary than they are not smart enough to be running this country.

Rich, you are a perfect example of a right wing lemming. You just cannot accept personal responsibility.

4SmallGov - you may think you get nothing from the government, but see what happens if there is a shutdown. You will be amazed to see how much you actually depend on the government, and that is just at the federal level. You right wing people always amaze me with your belief in your own self dependence. I guess if you have a heart attack, you will still drive yourself to the hospital. Amazing!

Go USA, reducing corporate tax rates, down to what? Remember, there is a difference between a marginal tax rate and the effective rate, the latter being the tax rate ACTUALLY paid. for 2 years in a row, GE, the largest corporation is the USA, with billions in income, has paid NO Federal income tax:

http://kewhawaii.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-paid-more-taxes-than-exxon-boeing-b.html

Now, a family of 4 making $50K/yr will pay income taxes, so go ahead and tell us about "paying your fair share".

@Go USA-851295

Can the Right Wing talking points about what makes a positive environment for businesses to create jobs. Any businessperson who says they will not hire a worker because the _________— (fill in the blank) is/are too high is simply lying.

Businesses add jobs based upon demand for their goods and services. Guess what, demand is down because the biggest sector of our economy that purchases goods and services has been squeezed to the point where there is no disposable income left.

You could lower the business/corporate tax rate to 10% and there will still be those people who cry "Taxes are too high". As for repealing HCR, and then what? Return to the status quo where uninsured people go to ER's for basic care? Health Insurance companies can return to denying coverage to people who they deem have "pre-existing conditions"? Young adults between 18-26 without jobs or are not in college are priced out of health insurance and stand one step from financial ruin due to a serious illness? Working people who suffer major medical illness go bankrupt from having to pay high medical copays or lose their insurance when they reach some arbitrarily defined ceiling?

Yeah, and lets return to the days of unbridled de-regulation. That worked so well for the Deep Well Horizion (BP Disaster anyone?). Let's eliminate the Environmental Protection and Nuclear Regulatory agencies. How about further reducing the regulations on coal mining, after all coal miners are just manual labor that can be easily replaced, right?

Finally, you do realize that even if every one of the oil leases that are currently held by oil and gas companies were to be operating, the product (gas or oil) from those wells would not be consumed by Americans? Oil is an international commodity that is priced on the Wall Street Commodities market. The price is being driven up right now due to Wall Street speculators betting that production from Libya and Saudi Arabia will decrease later this year due to unrest in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya.

Let us not forget that there is in excess of $2 Trillion in unused capital being held by private industry today. That could pay for alot of jobs, don't you think?

Why is anyone surprised that the government is not passing votes that affect their own pay unless it is an increase? Our politicians are lazy crooks. Get over it. You want change vote their asses out and start over with the next bunch. keep kicking them out until you get a bunch in office that get the idea from the previous examples that the people are not going to put up with an ineffective, criminal government anymore.

SayitaintSo-628660

@Go USA-851295

Can the Right Wing talking points about what makes a positive environment for businesses to create jobs. Any businessperson who says they will not hire a worker because the _________— (fill in the blank) is/are too high is simply lying.

Businesses add jobs based upon demand for their goods and services. Guess what, demand is down because the biggest sector of our economy that purchases goods and services has been squeezed to the point where there is no disposable income left.

You could lower the business/corporate tax rate to 10% and there will still be those people who cry "Taxes are too high".

=========

.......Amen! For the last two years, my boss's (he is also the owner) taxes have fallen greatly, while his income has gone up, and guess how many people has has hired. Zilch. but he has dumped more work on his small staff. Oh, and our raises this year for the increased work load? Also zilch! Unless income begins flowing back to the Middle Class from the Upper Class (and I stress FLOWING BACK, because that's where it has been going for the last 20 years), there will be no demand driven increase in hiring.

4Small Gov, for your info. I am retired, worked all my life, until 3 yrs. ago, when the construction biz. in Fl. died. Paid taxes and into SS all my life, you are not paying my way, or anyone like me. I'm 64 yrs. old, not 24 yrs. old. So don't preach to me, until you've lived as long as I, or paid as much as I have. Don't assume, you know what that makes you?

Garth,

Yes I did graduate high school, I do have a B.S. in Computer Science, and I am currently working on my Master's. I've also been on active duty for the last 18 years. What do you mean I have no concept of personal accountability?

Go USA

I've got a better idea. Have your GOPTP buddies create some legislation that taxes the crap out of companies that outsource jobs overseas and generously reward companies that start bringing those jobs back into the United States. I have my doubts because that would mean that they would actually have to do some work and help out the people of America by creating meaningful legislation, instead of churning out meaningless crap that doesn't stand a snowballs chance of ever making it to the floor of the Senate.

You wanted jobs legislation, there you go. Who says congress can't do anything to help create jobs.

Here's where I got the AVG wage figures 

You might want to compare that level of education and compare that to teachers, and then start talking about public teachers unions and salaries.

I am a teacher with a master's degree plus extra credits. I sure don't make $174,000. I don't think we should feel sorry for him because he has 6 kids and has to have 2 households. Without doing any research, I wouldn't be suprised if we are not paying for at least 1 of those households in addition to his salary. I can't believe you would use that as a defense for him saying he should be paid.

Education and experience? Experience as what? As for education, I have a bachelor's and a master's and make $50k a year, and own my own busines. A great many members of Congress have nowhere near the education and experience I do.

What they have that I don't is the image that the dems or reps use to bilk people into voting for these morons.

My wife and I stopped after our 2nd child because we knew we could not afford another child. This jackwagon is no different than the majority of the people he will be asking to go without a paycheck.

Some of our elected officials are dumber than doorknobs.

@go: I would agree with you. However, the average American also does not get an annual raise in salary and does the job for which their employer hires them. They don't fart around for 3 months worrying about if some radio station is biased. Or setting their sites on womens vagina's. Or anything else that has anything to do with anything other than improving the economy of the nation.

If my job is to sell widgets, I damn well better have everything I do be about selling widgets.

To tell me that the Congress will still get paid while the rest of the government gets shut down is just BS.

Congressman Duffy may have just forced the Teapublicans to put this up to a stand alone vote. I would not be surprised if you see multiple bills for just that purpose being offered, by both sides just to CYA after these stupid comments. Unable to keep up at $174,000/year. Give me a break.

Nobody forced him to have six kids or to go to an expensive college. I maintained two households for a few years for work reasons and one can live pretty cheaply when working in another city and I didn't make anywhere near 174k. Some of these congressmen share apartments to save on cost.

If public employees don't get paid then congress shouldn't get paid. At the end of the shutdown they all get back pay anywhere so it isn't as though they lose any money either. However federal contractors would lose out I read, so I feel sorry for anyone working on contract as they would see some hardship due to congressional inaction.

Quite frankly, I don't even know why Congress is still being paid considering the lousy job they have done over the past few years. If their pay was based on job performance like most us, they would have been fired by now.

Gee, I have 6 college degrees, including an MBA.....I'm working as an executive assistant making less than $48,000/year. However, despite all this, I consider myself lucky to even HAVE a job. Daffy should be glad HE has a job....no one FORCED him to quit his job and become a politician....that was HIS choice and he needs to learn to live with it like we live with what we have.

Go USA, your post about maintaining two households ignores the generous subsidies these Congress people get.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2010/08/04/Congress-Living-High-on-the-Backs-of-Taxpayers.aspx

Tom 881115

They are getting paid and kept in office because the stupid middle class (I am one of them) keeps voting for these pigs. Yes, they are all pigs that could care less about you or anyone else responding to this article. The proof is right in this article and the statements being made by our Congressional representatives.

There are not any differences between the 2 parties running the show, and for anyone to believe this is the reason they are still in power.

Unfortunately, writing to your congress person or senator is meaningless and a waste of time. Until enough of us decide it is time to march on DC and throw them out (like in Egypt) nothing is going to change. It is going to take the coalition of the majority of the middle class to participate that will effectively change the system. That will only happen when enough of us realize this is the only important goal ahead of us to get the country back on track.

So America, turn off your TV's and start demanding more from your fellow citizens to speak out. Let's march on Washington as they are deaf to us all!

they vote their own raises at night when we are sleep they get health care for life for six years service i want that deal

Junior enlisted who are married receive their pay and their BAH while deployed. If their families live on base, they don't have any real living expenses to speak of. Oh, and junior enlisted are recent high school graduates or GED recipients. It is ridiculous to compare their salaries (though I think they should be higher) with those of lawyers and former doctors and business executives who are now serving in Congress.

Not everyone lives in base housing, there simply isn't enough. Also a lot of base housing is privatized and not owned by the services anymore. While I'm sure they won't get kicked out, paying for daycare may prove problematic.

Not to mention food, heat, water. You know, all those luxuries that rich gubment workers get that are so much more than what you get in the private sector.

Privatized base housing is still paid directly by the government - the only difference is who builds and manages the property. It is still base housing. I agree that enlisted pay should be higher. However, it isn't and people still (my spouse, an officer, included) continue to serve day in and day out.

Go USA, you are sorely misled about the military. Just because a junior enlisted military member (or senior enlisted or junior officer or whatever the case might be) live in base housing does not mean that they have no real living expenses. The only thing military housing offers is the house and electricity and water. I guess junior enlisted don't eat, don't do laundry or anything else that the rest of society does that takes money. And not every junior enlisted is just out of high school or a GED recipient. There are alot out there who have associate degrees or sometimes even bachelor degrees and don't qualify to be officers. What makes them different. They still have student loans to pay as well. And you can't make me or anyone else believe that every member of congress is a lawyer or doctor. There are some that have even less education that a lot of folks serving in the military. Your ideas are so dilusional it is not even funny. If anything the military, to include retirees should get paid in the event of a shut-down and congress should do without. Maybe that would entice them to set their partisan politics aside and agree on a federal budget before the year is over.

Go USA - where do you determine that a junior enlisted military member living in base housing has no real living expenses to think of. Do they and their family not have to eat? Do they not need to do laundry etc? And while the majority of junior enlisted do not have a bachelor degree or higher, some do still have college, even including degrees. Do they not have to pay those loans back? And you cannot make me believe that every member of congress is either a doctor or a lawyer, meaning that they have so much more education than the rest of us. I know that there are members of congress that don't have degrees. But that makes them so much more important than the junior enlisted military member, or even myself, who retired from the military with over 20 years of honorable service. But I guess I don't need my paycheck either.

Go, you are amazing. You are saying that the junior enlisted officers don't get paid as much as the Congress people because . . . why? Oh, yes, because the Congress goes out and risks their lives being shot at and having to avoid land mines in Washington. And not just once in a while, but several times a day--often for days on end with very little break. That's right, I forgot!

You state:

It is ridiculous to compare their salaries (though I think they should be higher) with those of lawyers and former doctors and business executives who are now serving in Congress.

I think you'll find if you do a bit of homework that all those serving in Congress are NOT lawyers or former doctors or business executives. (I'm stating that how YOU stated it--with the word "former" applying only to doctors.) There are many who don't have the education comparable to a doctor or a lawyer, either.

I believe that Congressional pay is excessive for the job they do and the hours they spend.

Junior enlisted who are married receive their pay and their BAH while deployed.

If they have families who rely on that income then they should still get paid.

If their families live on base, they don't have any real living expenses to speak of.

How do you figure they dont have any expenses? If I lived in base housing (I refused to do so) I would still have to buy food, clothes, cable, internet, phone, car payment, car insurance, renters insurance, daycare, gas, diapers, formula, etc... Sure, I wouldnt have to pay rent, and utilities, but the pay would be drastically less. (No BAH) If we didnt get paid at all I would have no money to pay the rest of these items.

Oh, and junior enlisted are recent high school graduates or GED recipients.

Do you really believe that people who graduated high school a few years ago are they only people who enlist? I know someone who was 29 when he enlisted... Plenty more who were around 23 - 25. Sounds to me like they could be coming out of college... Also, so what if they did? Does that mean they don't deserve to get paid?

It is ridiculous to compare their salaries (though I think they should be higher) with those of lawyers and former doctors and business executives who are now serving in Congress

Why is it ridiculous? Congress would still be getting paid while my husband and plenty of other military members don't. We have bills to pay too. We have to buy food and gas. We have to make sacrifices because of a shutdown. Why shouldn't they?

If the government shuts down I still have to pay for food, gas, diapers, etc... My husband still needs to go to work whether he is paid or not. I don't understand why my family (and other servicemembers and other people affected) should have to make all these sacrifices, when the people who caused this issue don't. I dont care one bit that they have a student loan to pay. I have to be able to feed my kid. To me that is much more important than his student loan. Especially since he makes more than 5x what my husband gets, and even 3x what we got when I was lucky enough to have a job.

Perhaps the government should do just that, don't live beyond its means, downsize, reduce entitlement spending.

Once upon a time they did. And the "entitlement" name -- a PR word used by those who want to make SS and Medicare sound bad. How many times does this word need to be explained that these programs are NOT entitlements?

Once the economy is on truly sure footing, I agree to cut back. But to do it now would be foolish and risk us going into a double-dip recession. As for my downsizing comment -- it was for the Congressman who can't manage his bills on that sizable income. You mean he doesn't have ANY savings? He didn't plan for any set-backs? And this is someone who is supposed to represent Americans? BS.

Sure, Rich, let's start by reducing entitlements to companies like GE, who despite paying less than no taxes, sent jobs packing overseas, anyway. Did you even graduate from High School?

i agree with you Cathy and in addition he was elected to office and can not even run his own finances; how can he be expected to correctly do his part in our government?

Agreed, they should all be fired if the Gov. shuts down....no work, no friggin' job anymore, Period!

I get a little annoyed with people who consider Social Security an "entitlement!" The Government has been involuntarily taking money out of my paycheck since I was 16 and had my first job. They called this "Social Security." So, I don't consider it an entitlement -- they took my money out of my paycheck without my permission (basically) so that I would have money to HELP take care of me in my senior years. I'm not planning on depending on my Social Security to keep me going in my retirement, but it's nice to know I'll have a little something coming back to me. But, it certainly isn't an ENTITLEMENT....I paid it, and it's MINE to have when I get to the point where I retire and apply for it. Of Medicare and Social Security, I only consider Medicare an entitlement; although, if I check my paycheck, I think the State is ALSO involuntarily taking money out of my check for Medicare.....so, they BOTH belong to me in the end, and I'm the only one ENTITLED to it!!

@Rich-3249592

Perhaps the tax rates should go back to what they were during Eisenhower! Tax rates (both Corporate and Personal) are at their lowest levels since the Great Depression. Social Security is not an entitlement program, it is an insurance program. Maybe they should raise the contribution level ceiling so that people making over $200,000 have to pay more into the system, or means test recipients so that wealthy individuals benefits are reduced.

Why is it you conservatives always get tunnel-vision when the talk turns to deficit reduction? Want to reduce the deficit, cut spending and increase the tax base. Oh Yeah I Forgot, Tax Breaks don't add to the deficit in the Republican financial equation.

Personally, I don't think social security should have ever been passed. It's the government's way of saying " you don't know how to plan for your retirement so we'll do it for you". I would rather not have SS and be free to invest that money the way I choose. If I don't plan for the future it's on me. " A government big enough to give you everything you need is a government big enough to take away everything you have.

Didi: You called medicare an entitlement. You must be unaware that we pay for it. First we pay for it as a deduction from our paycheck while we are working, or I did. Now that I'm over 65, I pay for it (about the same amount as I paid into when I was working) just like insurance. If I pay for that insurance for my medical care, how can it be an entitlement?

Thank you for pointing that out Summertime. People just keep spewing lies all over the place and they become "the truth."

Also, in a government shutdown, only about 1/4 of the government actually closes. People should still get SS checks, we'll still get mail, you'll still owe your taxes on the fifteenth of next month (however, refunds will be slow coming back to you and the phones will probably not be manned), etc. Only about 25% of the "non-essential" employees will suffer. Not that I'd wish to be one of that quarter.

Rich-"If I don't plan for the future it's on me." Wrong. If you end up in the gutter, broke and hungry, at retirement age, it will be the taxpayers who end up taking care of you. What kind of society would we be if we just stood there and watched you waste away. I think it was deToqueville who said that the quality of a society is measured by how well it takes care of its sick and elderly.

Anyway, Rich, SS is not enough for anyone to live on. It must be supplemented with personal savings. The government doesn't "give us everything we need." After paying into the system for 35 years, you better believe I'm entitled to get my money back, knowing that I helped the preceding generation survive their retirement years a little more easily.

Your statements are irresponsible.

The military will more than likely get paid. The company, DFAS, who processes the government paychecks will still continue to work and process the military paychecks.

The military will DEFINITELY get paid. They are not impacted by this shut down.

US Army Soldier

Been to Iraq x2

Afghanistan This summer after being home barley a year!!

I have 4 kids and bills to pay as well…..I don’t make anywhere
near $100K A year…..But who cares about
this government employee!!!!

I served on active duty during a period of time when there was no budget and no continuing resolution, and we did not get paid.

Texasgirl - DFAS is not a company, though most of its employees are civil servants. DFAS is an agency within DoD, and provides full-service accounting for not only DoD, but the Executive Office of the President, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Broadcasting Board of Governors. www.dfas.mil

I am pretty happy with who I voted for. With H.R. 1, the House Republicans passed a FY 2011 budget (actually the job of the last Congress who couldn't be bothered) which cut spending by $61 billion. It passed the House some 39 days ago, and yet under Reid's leadership, the Senate has done nothing to move that bill forward or offer any serious alternative, for that matter. In the meantime, the House has passed two stopgap spending measures to temporarily fund the government, waiting for Reid to get his chamber in order.

the republicans are being wimps about their cuts...until we hack away at grannys healthcare and retirement we aren't being serious about deficit reduction....we spend 60% of our wealth every year on 30% of the population...medicare care carrying teabaggers are a joke.

But then passed a tax drop for the wealthy for 2 years that cost about $80 billion.... Take from the average/poor and give to the rich. Where's Robin Hood when you need him?

To GKilgore:

I agree but the Democrats are just as bad. It takes TWO parties working together to f*uck things up this badly.

Tax cuts for the rest of America cost many times more. That being said, those extensions were passed by the democratically controlled House, Senate, and White House.

those extensions were passed by the democratically controlled House, Senate, and White House.

Under threats of filibuster by the GOP. Holding the poor over a barrel to benefit the rich. I wonder if *you* graduated from High School.

Gkilgore Don't ry to pin this on one party. If the democrats led by Reid and Pelosi had passed a budget last year we wouldn't be in this mess. They are still trying to get last years budget. Remember the Democrats were in control and decided to not present a budget. DID you not listen to Chuck Shumer saying not to pass anything and blame it on the Tea Party. No this mess belongs to the democratic party.

Garth by the rich you do include Pelosi, Boxer, Kerry, Michael Moore, George Soros, Jeffrey Immelt, Hollywood elite, GE and more. There are as many rich democrats as there are Republicans. In case you haven't noticed the democrats did nothing to the rich either, it is all just a shell game.

They did try to pass a budget , but Boehner , McConnell and others threatened to shut down the government, if their buddies were taxed more, they wanted to privatise insurance, medicare, ssi, and cut education,

This is what is behind the whole argument. They want to protect the rich, the Dems are looking out for the tax payers, Reid said absolutely no to anything on SSI or Medicare.

Two big red flags here about a possible government shut down: One, the Democrats are again in capitulation mode, acting as if the party across the aisle is in any way interested about the actual U.S. budget. They aren’t. The GOP is interested in whipping up the base and farting platitudes into the ether. Second, the Republican party is again going to shut down the government? Granted, so far John Boehner has avoided being as obnoxious a personality as Newt Gingrich, but that’s almost like saying you don’t need both legs amputated but one of them has to go.

More information is coming out about the radical views of Sharron Angle, the tea party candidate who is opposing Harry Reid for Senate. Greg Sargent links to an NPR interview from May 19 where Angle says it’s proper that the Veterans Affairs isn’t covering her father if we’re headed toward a privatized system, which she endorses.

ANGLE: He’s 87 years old and has Parkinson’s and we have to pay more and more for his healthcare. I know he pays over 800 dollars a month in prescription drugs that we can’t get through his VA nor through Medicare — they just wont cover those things. And I know lots of seniors –

[Dave] BECKER: Should they cover those things?

ANGLE: No, not if you’re working towards a privatized system. And he can pay for them. That’s my whole point. Even with the system we’ve got, it’s broken, its not covering for every cost that he has. And if he were dependent upon that, he wouldn’t be getting the healthcare he needs and that’s why we need to fix the system.

Angle said in a debate she wants to “phase out” Social Security and Medicare, but wants doesn’t want to remove from the system those who “entered into the system on good faith.”