kernburner
133145
3436
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Jun 22, 2017 1:27 AM
kernburner
133145
3436
110
vendommias
They shouldn't be allowed to conceal carry anywhere either
Rasdwatrium
Or retirement plan.
ChefGavinB
What's good for the goose is good for the gander
ILikedTheirOldStuffBetter
I'd like to take a gander at the new healthcare bill that they're keeping so closely under wraps, am I right?... I'll show myself out.
Chereazi
Yeah, but then not enough of them would survive to always have it filled with old guys...
AlackofPotassiumcankill
Win-Win is how I see that
boobcat
You let your reps set their own pay + benefits + pensions but the American Constitution is the greatest document ever written right?
charliegrs
Start by taking away healthcare for the Republicans in Congress. They don't want socialized healthcare for the citizens, then they shouldn't
charliegrs
Have it either. Make them buy it in the private market. I'd love to see them complain about not having socialized healthcare. The irony!
stsword
Actually they've been required to buy it through the obamacare exchange, the gov just supplements it 72%
DoseOfScience
I really don't get why we have five million different gov healthcare systems when we could dump it all into one system and be done with it.
popejubal
Because that's 5 million different companies who are each demanding that congress not put them out of business.
[deleted]
[deleted]
Cheomesh
The system basically would not change. Just who pays out does.
ShamnusMcfee
Because that would be socialist and these old chucklefucks grew up under the threat of nuclear annihilation from the USSR, the entire US
ShamnusMcfee
culture, for decades, was utterly and completely against socialism, because it was our enemy. We are still severely hung over from this.
delpharseven
Because that would save taxpayers a lot of money and reduce profit margins of healthcare corporations.
JustAnotherPOG
Any American who is in favor of single payer must therefore be for a Republican Congress allocating funds and Donald Trump executing it.
DoseOfScience
Congress doesn't actually get to decide on funds, assuming it would follow Medicare's example. Those programs are automatic.
JimStarluck
Problem is, most of these assholes think the people they "represent" are the ones who donated to them, not the ones who voted for them.
ArdentSlacker
The problem is not that they think that. The problem is that they are correct.
troubledanthropomorphichorse
They also represent people in their district who didn't vote for them and who are ineligible to vote. Most don't acknowledge that.
InFin0819
As a federal employee, please don't take my health care lol. Congressmen get same thing as me.
MDtheGM
just a crazy idea.. maybe we should just give everyone basic healthcare like most of our freaking allies have.
InFin0819
I would love that.
Loundagr
They voted to be exempt.
NotHardly
Yes to that, and yes to them having to follow the laws and rules on all else. Oh, yeah, & they don't get to give themselves raises.
ShitALLthegoodnamesaretaken
Lol. And these are the people you want running HC.. good luck.
Dukenewcmb
They have forgotten, "Of the people, for the people, by the people"
CChowder
Wouldn't it be ideal if it was the other way around? Where the people can get the same healthcare as congress?
ChefGavinB
They should also not be given such huge pensions.. they should be put on social security.. what is this Rome
merxman
Compared to the private sector, where they'd be VP/CEO/etc. types, they aren't paid extravagantly. Doesn't change the fact it's broken.
ChefGavinB
Yes, and why would we be comparing a private entity to the elected officials of the "free" world. Do we not consider the lobbying money?
ChefGavinB
I don't think lobbying should be legal or anyone with financial gain be allowed to have decision making abilities. Direct or indirect.
ChefGavinB
But lobbying is real and that will at least double a salary, whilst fucking over the American people. So fuck these types of people
merxman
I don't disagree with you, I just dislike when people go on about their salary, which is a pittance compared to campaign funds/lobbying.
clayford
http://www.snopes.com/politics/socialsecurity/pensions.asp ffs read and educate yourself before having a political opinion.
ChefGavinB
Ok, first question.. why are "Snopes" and "debunked" type websites so credible in people's minds. Just like Michael Moore they are a 1/2
ChefGavinB
Whitewash. Do you/ did you even read this? The claim "blah blah after 1 term they can receive", ok. I never said after one term. This 2/3
ChefGavinB
Entire article is trying to refute the claim that they can receive the entire salary after 1 term. So you are not really responding to my3/4
ChefGavinB
Statement, but are trying to prove your own. Also, in this article it states " they can receive a maximum of 80% of their salary". This 4/5
Gasquatch
I agree with this so hard
IronicUsername
I don't care about this. What they shouldn't be able to do is draft legislation on healthcare behind closed doors with no public debate.
ShowALK
And yet people ignored Ted Cruz when he said stuff like this
ICommentWithWrestlingGifs
AllTheGoodOnesAreTaken68
This is currently law. The ACA required Congress to purchase insurance from the exchanges.
FloppyFingers
I love it when people say "we are the government" while ignoring the vast privileges & rights those in power have that the rest of us don't
letsnotandsaywemight
"Public servants". That goes for all...
MrDeadsr
If they need better health Care it means the health care of the general population is bad
PaintedSlate
Your point is good. OP's misses the mark, because health insurance/care is easy to pay for if you're rich or powerful.
kittybuttwiggle
There's an argument to be made that we dont want the people we appoint for this important work burdened down by shit like healthcare worries
disgruntledcitizen
If it is that much of a burden then they should be more active fixing it
GodDamnitMayweather
Noiro9
Not yet.
MLGsamantha
troubledanthropomorphichorse
Those in power were elected by people. Perhaps not fairly, but they got the votes. If we aren't satisfied with that we need to change it.
magichal
Sometimes they didn't get the votes.
ShamnusMcfee
They have worked very hard for a very long time to make that very difficult. As you can imagine, they want to stay in their special club.
troubledanthropomorphichorse
That's true, but ultimately the voters decide. We don't have any other political mechanism to change that so we must use it.
Fishticuffs
I'll add this comment to my bumper sticker collection. It'll really get the wheels of change rolling.
Bigdaddyclean
All out murder?
ChefGavinB
Read "the Turner diaries", if you could find it. Maybe this is what we really need. Seems like we're on the verge anyway
ChefGavinB
Public hanging for treasonous acts, this should level out the playing field real quick
mike111177
Murder only creates martyrs
TCGView
Shit is getting stupid when the senate is developing a healthcare plan in secret and will attempt to pass it without revealing what's in it.
merxman
I agree, though they will reveal - it just will be like a week for scoring and public/news discussion, no hearings, etc. It's a BS 1/2
merxman
Political tactic because they KNOW it won't stand up to scrutiny by the public...otherwise they would be proud of it and flaunting it.
deadendeaccount
Elected representatives should get paid the average income of their constituents.
rabiddutchman
Ooh, I like that idea. Hell of an incentive to make things better in their states.
Svartlebee
No, actually. It just means no one but people desperate for a job or the super rich run. Somebody competent? Well, why would they even run?
Svartlebee
2/ being paid a pittance wage for a shit job.
SomeCrazyNerd
You really think motivation of their reps is the only reason some areas are poor?
rabiddutchman
That's not even close to what I said. I said it's an incentive
d0o0o0d
While I kinda like the idea in principle, what it would result in is only rich people who don't need income running for office.
GnomeDeGuerre
If money is the reason that people want to make laws, you're fucked either way.
d0o0o0d
Your use of the present tense is correct.
Svartlebee
Money is needed to attract people in from otherwise well paying and less stressful private sector jobs.
GnomeDeGuerre
I repeat my point.
Svartlebee
Again, money is needed. People will not so hard work for little pay.
supersomatic
A lot of elected officials are professionals in their fields, and highly educated. They just won't take the job if it doesn't pay.
Felman
Nancy Pelosi would be loaded since she represents parts of San Fran.
SomeCrazyNerd
Then nobody would run for the poor districts. You think there's some magical easy solution to make poverty disappear?
Svartlebee
No, just no. That is a terrible idea.
JustAnotherPOG
You get what you pay for (or what other people pay for).
merxman
Congressional pay is quite modest and reasonable compared to what they'd get in the private sector. Generally, not part of the problem.
MarkSoupial
I'm surprised they even get paid when the company they run is so far in debt
IronicUsername
It works that way for the guys at the top of the private sector too.
Isorikk
They do have the same health care, the problem is it's a seller's market with most products favoring wealthy, which they are.
d0o0o0d
Um, no. There's a special plan on the DC exchange.
heyguysimtom
They definitely do not
hitthatbomb
Fix 2 problems at once - pass a law that says Congress benefits now go through the VA. It would fix VA issues overnight.
MissingImage
except that they aren't veterans and don't deserve anything at all, much less a title that generally garners respect in some form or another
TheKindlyOnes
As screwwed up as the government in starship troopers was... I agree with some parts, like you want a government job? You serve and complete
MissingImage
I agree with that whole heatedly. Congress is a service position. Right now they only serve themselves.
JHawke
This proves you are not as bad a person as them, you can't think bad enough. All they need to do, is raise their own pay to include the >
JHawke
> medical coverage, and of course a sizeable extra just in case you need expensive surgery.
kuroda121
They should have a wage cap to keep them from increasing their own salary. That money could be better used
annibe11e
https://www.legistorm.com/member_of_congress_salaries.html
MajorPubes
Congressional response:
djethex
http://api.theweek.com/sites/default/files/styles/tw_image_9_4/public/GettyImages-503902824.jpg?itok=USqX5Rkm&resize=1260x560
NotGonnaSugarCoat
Everyone doesn't have the same healthcare
SkinnerTBD
I had this really sweet gig once where I could apply to be reimbursed for $80 against one doctor visit a year...
GnomeDeGuerre
If that is true and in the US, then I think its safe to say that the US lost the cold war.
smittywjmj
No one won the Cold War, it's not possible. It's completely unsustainable. The Soviets just lost first.
SkinnerTBD
I was joking about it being a sweet gig, Another I had, had vision, dental, and eye for a measly $500 a month. wait...
SkinnerTBD
I'm not going to lie, I need medical care. I can do just about anything but I need to see doctors. That's where we went wrong.insurance/care
Pegamaroll
Nope. Special privileges when you make the rules.
drj37
Even excluding congress, not everyone has the same healthcare. Every insurance plan is different.
Cheomesh
Yep; my brother in law has a 1500/yr deductible on his family for his top end. Mine is 13,700.
JPre35
it depends on the job, you can get "special" privileges without making the rule
dmax12
If there is no normal, there is no special.
Penguin90
It's not a special privilege. There are thousands of people who aren't working for the U.S. government and can afford private insurance.
Pegamaroll
A special privilege for someone with a government job.
Nightcaste
There is actually a specific health care company that only services the members of the house and Senate. I believe it's for life, also.
Penguin90
Everyone has the opportunity to work hard and earn decent health insurance coverage. It's about equal opportunity, not equal outcome.
SkinnerTBD
ahahahah.
naieum
Which special privileges do government employees get? It's blue cross. Still pay copays. Still have deductibles. Still cost a ton.
stsword
The government pays 72% of a congressperson's insurance premiums.
naieum
What's the rate of normal big company employers paying into health care premiums? It has to be more than 72%.
stsword
Only for single coverage, it's actually less for family coverage. And the vast majority of reps are married.
Pullout69
Can we also say they shouldn't be able to set their own salaries?
merxman
Honestly, Congress/Senate salaries are not the problem. They are pretty modest vs. private sector. It's the lobbying/campaign finance.
agentmcgee
Can we apply this to British politicians as well and take their "expenses" off them? If they claim it all back anyway why bother paying them
Janusha
Then who would... The general public ?
annibe11e
https://www.legistorm.com/member_of_congress_salaries.html
eion85
Technically, they can't. Any salary increases they pass don't take effect until the next Congress. So feel free to vote them out over that.
tacoparlor
Kind of...except there's like a 95% chance of them being part of the "next Congress" still.
eion85
That's a separate issue. In part due to voter apathy.
DataBender
Yea. That's why we need to vote them out? Still confused?
nocturnal899
This. Also the senate is broken as fuck. Pretty sure they hack. Fucking campers.
nugscree
Aimbot for that instakill
ChefGavinB
LMFAO, you're a shill. Or just a damn fool. Yea, average peak length of service 13 years. I'm sure they know what they're doing. Blind fool
eion85
Just making a point about the Constitution and the 27th amendment. People seem to have a lot of mistaken idea about the law.
disgruntledcitizen
What is a shill?
ChefGavinB
People still ask questions like this. You are literally using the most powerful source of knowledge to ask a group of dorks. Look it up
disgruntledcitizen
I don't want the Wikipedia definition, I want the to understand what people think it is from those who use it..I understand how to interwebs
Vevrain
Paid say things that make a group look good or the opposition bad. Though conspiracists started to use it to mean, "doesn't agree with me."
ChefGavinB
A shill is the perfect term in my response to their claim .. please reread.. "conspirators" those crazies. That's a shills defense
StillNotYouTube
MN changed their constitution to have an independent council set lawmakers pay. The result? a 45% pay increase.
ilikecamels
independant =/= biased/paid off unfortunately
Velexis
Chances are it wasn't very independant.
annibe11e
It was. Pretty random people appointed actually. I know one of them.
StillNotYouTube
Yeah it seemed pretty legit to me, and I'm not questioning their decision, just pointing out that it might not have the outcome you expect.
ThatGoingForMe
Who would you have set their salaries instead?
hellknight58
They should get the median pay for their state. If they want a raise they should do things to help their state.
agentmcgee
The people. A performance survey sent to their constituents would be an option
ThatGoingForMe
Congress. This was the original system. salaries for congressmen was implemented to allow common people to run for congressional office. 2/
ThatGoingForMe
Everyone would slash congressional wages like crazy, which might sound good at first. However, only rich people would be able to serve in 1/
lessgasmoreammo
Put them on the General Schedule (US civil service pay scale)
ChesterCopperpots
Do they not vote for what that should be set at or am I wrong? I honestly don't know
Pullout69
Most viable options have already been mentioned bit the idea is that literally anyone else should set it. It is a massive conflict of ->
Pullout69
Interests.
ButterMyButtAndCallMeBiscuit
Tie yearly pay increases to the average cost of living for the area they represent. Link the minimum wage to that while they're at it.
ThatGoingForMe
That's a good idea but it would be Congress that implements it. People forget that the power to spend is intentionally left only to Congress
Svartlebee
What a fucking stupid notion. If you make the wages for top government positions only slightly better than minimum wage than watch
FixinYou
Second 'than' should be 'then'.
ThatGoingForMe
That's not what he suggested. He said that increases should be proportional to cost of living increases for their district. 1/2
ThatGoingForMe
The only thing that he said about the minimum wage is that a similar approach should be used when increasing the minimum wage. 2/2
ChefGavinB
The problem with the world is that all the fools and fanatics are so sure of themselves, while all of the wise are so full of doubt.
Svartlebee
2/ government collapse. You lose anyone and everyone capable of doing the job.
GoodChange
Sure but most of the ones you have now are really unqualified
ChefGavinB
Their are plenty of honest people willing to do it for less.Not everyone is in it for the more.Betterment of society is a real thing to some
Svartlebee
And those people who want to do good aren't necessarily qualified to do so. Or willing to take the costs. You think those people will keep
Svartlebee
5/ in 8 years he went from looking energetic and vibrant to being heavily lined and grey. It took his toll on him.
Svartlebee
4/ lack the power to do anything to change it because they are but 1 of hundreds? Obama was a good man who wanted change. Look at him.
Svartlebee
2/ working when thousands of angry voters who are completely ignorant of political processes call in or rally outside their house? Or when
FixinYou
There*
Svartlebee
3/ when the press follows their every move and that of their family? Or when they get called part of this big evil government because they