Members of Congress are underpaid, can’t live ‘decently’ in D.C
- Thread starter Locutus
- Start date
Choice has little to do with it. I would work where I live, where my house is, where my kids are, but work isn't there. I have one employer.
If they can't figure that out they have no business being in Congress! Same as for our parliament. Resourcefulness (without theft) should be one of the first criteria for that job. Second would be not to whine! -
Decency has very little to do with money. Give up the limousines and start walking! -
Decency has very little to do with money. Give up the limousines and start walking! -
You can start by reading the very next paragraph in the post you quoted.
http://forums.canadiancontent.net/u...ers-congress-underpaid-can-t.html#post1897448
Clearly it is not clear to you. You compare them to anyone else who works in the DC area, but that isn't the same thing. If you move to DC and that is where your job is, that is one thing. You only need one home.
These elected officials have to work in DC and in their home constituency. They need two residences to do their job.
So their salary isn't the same as anyone else who works a normal job, since it is not common to be forced to pay for the cost of a second residence that is required for your job out of your salary.
Because it seems to be causing confusion for you and other people, that is why it seems like separating those two pieces out would make sense.
That is a very different situation than someone who's job requires them to work in multiple locations.
Lots of people move their house and their kids for work. It is commendable that you are willing to put in all that effort to keep everything else in place, but it isn't a business expense.
So what's the debate? Congress has it in their power to increase their salaries. For that matter, the way the system is set up, Congressional salaries increase automatically unless Congress votes against increasing them. For a decade or so now, Congress has voted down the increases.
So, to sum up. These "workers" have the authority to increase their own pay, and in fair and transparent democratic votes, choose not to.
So, again, what exactly is the problem?
So, to sum up. These "workers" have the authority to increase their own pay, and in fair and transparent democratic votes, choose not to.
So, again, what exactly is the problem?
I didn't say that it was a business expense. I said that it was a work expense. A very large demographic of this Country is in the same boat from NFLD, to Manitoba, and even in British Columbia. Economic refugees who have to travel to other Provinces (AB or SK) because the cost of living along with the down turn in real estate [Unlless you live in Toronto] has forced you to do so.
I could piss away all the equity in my home I suppose and uproot and move to Alberta and start all over again, but at almost 50, do I want to do that. I've been a nomad most of my life, military, trucking, a number years ago things were going good and it was then I decided it was time to settle down maybe enjoy life a bit. Build my last house.
Then the bottom fell out. We do what we have to do. It's hard to sympathize with people who make a ton of dough and also have other options. Being a politician is a choice and a very lucrative one in congress, no matter what the pigs at that trough say.
BTW, I think you missed the very point of my post.
Compared to who??
Were they surprised that they actually had to be in DC if they were elected to the US Congress? LMAO
That is right! Their salary is a hell of a lot more than just about everyone else!
My heart breaks for them!
Here is a tip... if you don't like it... don't run for Congress!
Are you surprised?
You seriously can't read an entire post before responding?
Other elected officials. MPs and MPPs in Canada. Also anyone who has to travel for work.
Nobody said they were surprised by anything. I am saying that it is misleading to compare their salary directly to other people's salaries without accounting for the fact that a significant chunk of it has to go just to paying for the costs of working as a senator or congressman.
If you were sent on a business trip, would you consider the cost of your hotel room, meals, and travel as part of your salary?
My heart breaks for them!
Here is a tip... if you don't like it... don't run for Congress!
Are you surprised?
I am not telling you that they have it hard. I am saying that they should separate out the costs of being a senator/congressman from their actual salary so people are not confused as you are.
Oh wow... you're comparing them to Canadian MPs etc. sigh.
Not when it is $174K! Nothing misleading there.
If I was told that before I took the job I would.
Clearer now?
I'm not confused... you're just a tard.
Well, many people would disagree that voting on your own salary increases is "fair". It likely isn't going to result in the most rational choices based on all the political pressure.
Why not? It is a pretty clear example. In Canada, an MP's stated salary is technically lower than a congressman in the US($163,700 vs $174,000), yet because MP's have an additional allowance for a second residence and per diems while away from home, their actual take home pay is much greater than their US counterpart.
How does the number 174 change anything? Misleading is misleading regardless of the number.
As I pointed out, when you compare it to other people's salaries, like Canadian MPs, if you just state it the way you do you would think that US Congressmen are paid more than Canadian MPs. But that would be wrong.
You think I am a "tard", yet you would consider money that you don't get to take home as part of your salary?
If you were a rational person, you would look at the money coming in, and probably assume that it will cost you at least 2 grand a month to work in DC, and say that your real salary is somewhere around 150k.
Well, they are the only other city with a crack smoking mayor, so that is something.
In my personal experience living in a crack smoking mayor city, it is pretty expensive.
Good for them!
If you're retarded and confused like you I agree.
I wish you could see my eyes to see the lack of concern.
$174K BooKooo Dolla! Congess no like BooKoo Dolla Congressman quit job,
Yeah you're pretty retarded. Take for example the quoted portion of your post above. Nonsense.
Probably shouldn't run for congress eh?
Suck on that
How can you not yet realize that I am not complaining that they are underpaid? I am saying that the way they are paid is misleading. If you can't figure out the difference, again, maybe you shouldn't be calling other people dumb.
Was the point of your post "I don't get paid for my travel and living expenses so they shouldn't be paid for those either"? That is how it read to me.
I definitely understand what you are talking about in this post, but it is simply a different situation. There are obviously lots of reasons why you don't want to leave your current home, but in the end it is a personal choice. You choosing to maintain a house in a different province when your job is in Alberta is your own concern.
It is different than a job that requires you to work in two locations, and travel back and forth for your job.