Comments on: American Tea Party: A Salary Cap for Congress? http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/ The blog of the mystery writer, screenwriter and CEO of Pajamas Media Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:23:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: G-MAN5284 http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-126321 G-MAN5284 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:14:00 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-126321 George Washington did not believe that presidents and congressmen should be paid at all. Tying one's well-being to one's position of authority is an open invitation to corruption. So what do have now? A corrupt government trying to clean up corrupt private enterprises, a bankrupt government trying to bail out bankrupt private enterprises, and tax cheats enforcing tax laws. Not to mention the fact that they are taking my children's money before my children are even old enough to earn it. Term limits/salary caps or seccession...it's got to be one or the other. George Washington did not believe that presidents and congressmen should be paid at all.

Tying one’s well-being to one’s position of authority is an open invitation to corruption. So what do have now? A corrupt government trying to clean up corrupt private enterprises, a bankrupt government trying to bail out bankrupt private enterprises, and tax cheats enforcing tax laws. Not to mention the fact that they are taking my children’s money before my children are even old enough to earn it. Term limits/salary caps or seccession…it’s got to be one or the other.

]]> By: Rob http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-125270 Rob Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:07:20 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-125270 On taxes, I wonder if any of them pay taxes,look at Obama's cabinet pick's. Salary cap and if they make money on the side, that is taken off their salary. No more low interest loans to them from Capital One. On taxes, I wonder if any of them pay taxes,look at Obama’s cabinet pick’s. Salary cap and if they make money on the side, that is taken off their salary. No more low interest loans to them from Capital One.

]]> By: miriam http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-125178 miriam Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:50:15 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-125178 Cap their income. Anything over $200,000 a Congressperson makes in any way shape or form, should be donated to charity. Cap their income. Anything over $200,000 a Congressperson makes in any way shape or form, should be donated to charity.

]]> By: MGMontrose http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-124666 MGMontrose Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:19:01 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-124666 Salary caps?? Absolutely, maybe even a commission or percentage of any balanced budget. If the budget goes into the negative, they would have to give a percentage of their salaries back!!! And wouldn't it be nice to make them pay a percentage of their medical and dental? We could call it a copay"..... that's a novel idea! How about taxing them on their salaries???? You need to balance the budget, WOW, I bet this would take care of it! We would't be borrowing Trillions, it would probably drop to millions! Seriously though, historically, this is a "servent of the people" position. Of the original congress, those who were well off, had their own money. I truly believe the states should have the right to "vote" on the salaries and benefits of their representative and senators. These people have too much power. Food for thought: who really has the power?? The news media, they report on what they want you to hear, how they want you to hear it and guide your opinions through their deliberate censationalism. But,it's just my opinion.....I'm just a conservative, middle aged, working taxpayer who cannot afford, food, insurance, medical or dental care, haven't been on a vacation in over 2 years, wearing non designer, non up to date fashions, but I am "free" to spend my money on taxes and programs which officials whom I didn't vote for (but the electoral college put into office) deems necessary, while the people who decide how I spend my money have no financial reponsibility toward these obligations,they squander my money on. Rock on Tea Party, I am on your side! Salary caps?? Absolutely, maybe even a commission or percentage of any balanced budget. If the budget goes into the negative, they would have to give a percentage of their salaries back!!! And wouldn’t it be nice to make them pay a percentage of their medical and dental? We could call it a copay”….. that’s a novel idea!

How about taxing them on their salaries???? You need to balance the budget, WOW, I bet this would take care of it! We would’t be borrowing Trillions, it would probably drop to millions!

Seriously though, historically, this is a “servent of the people” position. Of the original congress, those who were well off, had their own money. I truly believe the states should have the right to “vote” on the salaries and benefits of their representative and senators. These people have too much power.

Food for thought: who really has the power?? The news media, they report on what they want you to hear, how they want you to hear it and guide your opinions through their deliberate censationalism.

But,it’s just my opinion…..I’m just a conservative, middle aged, working taxpayer who cannot afford, food, insurance, medical or dental care, haven’t been on a vacation in over 2 years, wearing non designer, non up to date fashions, but I am “free” to spend my money on taxes and programs which officials whom I didn’t vote for (but the electoral college put into office) deems necessary, while the people who decide how I spend my money have no financial reponsibility toward these obligations,they squander my money on.

Rock on Tea Party, I am on your side!

]]> By: Linda Ray http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-124411 Linda Ray Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:25:45 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-124411 What about finding great Americans to run in each state on the half price plan. They agree to take half the salary of congress and social security pension like the rest of us. They also agree to passing a new law of limited terms. What about finding great Americans to run in each state on the half price plan. They agree to take half the salary of congress and social security pension like the rest of us. They also agree to passing a new law of limited terms.

]]> By: sam http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-124410 sam Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:25:23 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-124410 Not only a salary cap for congress, but that they live by the same rules, and forget the insurance and benefits after they leave!!!! I could scream congress/senate do as they want and we have to support them!!!! NO FAIR!!! Not only a salary cap for congress, but that they live by the same rules, and forget the insurance and benefits after they leave!!!! I could scream congress/senate do as they want and we have to support them!!!! NO FAIR!!!

]]> By: An Average American http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-124158 An Average American Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:31:25 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-124158 If we want to limit the compensation of our Congress-critters I'd recommend lifetime term limits over a salary cap. It's the gerrymandered Congressional incumbents that <i>really</i> suck the life out of the taxpayer. How many tenured legislators like Teddy Kennedy, John Murtha, Arlen Specter, Robert Byrd and Ted Stevens do we need to illustrate the corruption inherent in the profession of politics? I would recommend that there be a lifetime term limit of twelve years in any federal legislative office, that's two terms in the Senate or six terms in the House of Representatives. Mix and match however you like, but no more that twelve years in your life, continuous or not. That would likely balance the legislators needs to accept bribery in the name of "campaign finance" with the politically connected lobbies ability to influence legislation with the legislatures stated purpose of actually, you know, serving the public. If we want to limit the compensation of our Congress-critters I’d recommend lifetime term limits over a salary cap. It’s the gerrymandered Congressional incumbents that really suck the life out of the taxpayer. How many tenured legislators like Teddy Kennedy, John Murtha, Arlen Specter, Robert Byrd and Ted Stevens do we need to illustrate the corruption inherent in the profession of politics?

I would recommend that there be a lifetime term limit of twelve years in any federal legislative office, that’s two terms in the Senate or six terms in the House of Representatives. Mix and match however you like, but no more that twelve years in your life, continuous or not.

That would likely balance the legislators needs to accept bribery in the name of “campaign finance” with the politically connected lobbies ability to influence legislation with the legislatures stated purpose of actually, you know, serving the public.

]]> By: Bubba http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-124137 Bubba Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:40:06 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-124137 Why not simply tie congressional salaries to some multiple of per capita income? Tie it to whatever multiple it is at present (what, like 500x?). Then, subtract each year the per capita national debt. As for those nifty generous pension plans, I can only say one thing: 401(k), baby! Why not simply tie congressional salaries to some multiple of per capita income? Tie it to whatever multiple it is at present (what, like 500x?). Then, subtract each year the per capita national debt.

As for those nifty generous pension plans, I can only say one thing: 401(k), baby!

]]> By: Bill http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-124134 Bill Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:01:51 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-124134 Well, a cap would be nice but it wouldn't be commensurate with the pain inflicted upon CEOs. I say you take the average CEO Salary including stock options and jet usage - get the average, then figure out what percent of that 500k is. Say it's 50% (it'd be a lot less). That's what percentage of their current salary the pols get to keep. They are after all "LEADERS" so they should lead by example. Well, a cap would be nice but it wouldn’t be commensurate with the pain inflicted upon CEOs. I say you take the average CEO Salary including stock options and jet usage – get the average, then figure out what percent of that 500k is. Say it’s 50% (it’d be a lot less). That’s what percentage of their current salary the pols get to keep.

They are after all “LEADERS” so they should lead by example.

]]> By: Neo http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/02/21/american-tea-party-a-salary-cap-for-congress/#comment-124131 Neo Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:35:10 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/?p=5044#comment-124131 Currently, takers of TARP money have to surrender bonds to the federal government, in effect giving partial ownership to the federal government of their business. Will those who receive help with their mortgages be surrendering any part of the ownership of their homes to the federal government ? Currently, takers of TARP money have to surrender bonds to the federal government, in effect giving partial ownership to the federal government of their business.

Will those who receive help with their mortgages be surrendering any part of the ownership of their homes to the federal government ?

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