Hey, I've figured out why the members of Congress campaign so hard for election, then re-election and re-election, until some of them have to be wheeled in and out of sessions on a gurney. Those are really sweet jobs.

The current salary (2011-2012) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year. The leaders get more, $193,400 for guys like Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Eric Cantor. John Boehner gets $223,500. Of course those salaries get automatic COLA increases every year--Congress made sure they voted that into law. And they come with gold-plated health insurance and retirement plans.

But that's not the biggest benefit of those jobs. How hard do they really work? A look at the official schedule of Congress gives us a clue.

I took a look at the official schedule of Congress on their website. As a sample, I looked at how hard they worked representing all of us from the first of April this year until Election Day on November 12.

There are 225 days between those dates. Congress will only be officially in session for 68 days during that time, only 30% of the time. For 157 days the Congress will be officially "recessed". (Getting milk and cookies and a little exercise, I presume.)

With all the unemployment talk these days, these sweet jobs are available for anyone who wants to apply. High pay, great health insurance, a generous retirement plan, and 36 weeks of vacation every year!

Wow, doing the "people's work" must be exhausting.

But if we want to take a look at government spending that's fraud and waste, I think I have an idea where to begin.

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Hey, I've figured out why the members of Congress campaign so hard for election, then re-election and re-election, until some of them have to be wheeled in and out of sessions on a gurney. Those are really sweet jobs.

The current salary (2011-2012) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year. The leaders get more, $193,400 for guys like Mitch McConnell, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Eric Cantor. John Boehner gets $223,500. Of course those salaries get automatic COLA increases every year--Congress made sure they voted that into law. And they come with gold-plated health insurance and retirement plans.

But that's not the biggest benefit of those jobs. How hard do they really work? A look at the official schedule of Congress gives us a clue.

I took a look at the official schedule of Congress on their website. As a sample, I looked at how hard they worked representing all of us from the first of April this year until Election Day on November 12.

There are 225 days between those dates. Congress will only be officially in session for 68 days during that time, only 30% of the time. For 157 days the Congress will be officially "recessed". (Getting milk and cookies and a little exercise, I presume.)

With all the unemployment talk these days, these sweet jobs are available for anyone who wants to apply. High pay, great health insurance, a generous retirement plan, and 36 weeks of vacation every year!

Wow, doing the "people's work" must be exhausting.

But if we want to take a look at government spending that's fraud and waste, I think I have an idea where to begin.

You shouldn't be so harsh in your appraisal VK! The REAL work of these people is raising money and running for reelection, especially in the House. It is a miracle they have time to devote as much as 30% of their time to being in session, though, to be fair, many are not in attendance for all, or even most, of those days.

Thank goodness they only work a short time. They do enough damage as it is. Heaven help us if they worked a normal amount of time.

They also have the benefit of being able to commit insider trading without going to jail.

Originally Posted by rubicon

They also have the benefit of being able to commit insider trading without going to jail.

Actually, your good buddy Barack signed the Stock Act a couple of months ago. It forbids Congressional insider trading. Only took six years to get through Congress.

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

Actually, your good buddy Barack signed the Stock Act a couple of months ago. It forbids Congressional insider trading. Only took six years to get through Congress.

...You think that will stop them? Really?

Should not take a special Act to make it illegal for congresspersons to do insider trading. If its illegal for one, it should be illegal for all.

True it be that a job as a Congressman has good pay and good benefits. Thre are 535 of them. All of you had the chance to try for one of them, didn't you?

I did not work as a Congressman but I did work for the Federal government for my 36 year career. I was proud (and still am) of my career of helping veterans. My job was not one I ever could get rich at by any means but it provided a steady job, good benefits and a good retirement system. It was not my first choice of a career but my father talked me into taking the Federal Service Entrance Exam after my 3 years in the Army and graduating college. With the 10 points added for a service connected disability, I got my job and had a very satisfying career. Good retirement system, too.

Point is that anyone of you could have gotten the same government system benefits and retirement - as well as doing something for your country.

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

Actually, your good buddy Barack signed the Stock Act a couple of months ago. It forbids Congressional insider trading. Only took six years to get through Congress.

Are we supposed to be impressed there is a law or rule that makes something congress does illegal? Is that supposed to be viewed as fixing the problem? If yes then please explain why it is OK for ILLEGAL aliens to be here? I do believe it has something to do with lack of enforcement of laws/rules on the books. I rest my case!!!!

Nothing but political eye wash to satisfy the naieve and gullible.

btk