313 votes
Rank7
Idea#955
15% pay cut for the Senate and Congress Members effective immediately.
Retirement benefits and pension for Senate and Congress members cut by 75% (current members and those already retired).
Government (free) Healthcare for Senate and Congress members cut 100% to allow them to purchase their own Healthcare Package and pay into healthcare system.
Basically start cuts from the top and work downward (spenditure, travel, property, and finance).
I particularly agreed with the part about Congressmen being like the rest of us and having to choose from one of the existing health care options. How can Congress decide for us if none of them are participating in the system?
Yes. I am not sure about the pay cut - but I believe that congress will sing a different tune if their health insurance is cut.
Unless they are wealthy. Then it doesn't matter. But everyone is not rich, and those that have to "find" coverage will gain a greater appreciation for universal healthcare.
I don't know if a 75% cut in retirement is realistic, but they should NOT receive full retirement for one or two terms served. Civil servants work 25-32+ years to draw a limited retirement. Calculate congressional retirement on the same scale and make it apply across the board (current & prior congress membes). I suspect the savings to the country would be considerable and it would be far more equitable.
I'm a firm believer in a simple motto: LEAD BY EXAMPLE!
Put Congress under the GS payscale and put them under FERS. Also they should only be allowed to select health care plans from the providers available to other Gov't. employees.
I think they should take a 75% pay cut, and donate the rest that they make to charity. At least then they would be doing something.
I agree structure their benefits like a fers employee. 34% after 20 years and 1% thereafter. Give them 5% for each term
Congress shouldn't be treated any better than any other civilian government employee. They should have a 30 year retirement and have to contribute to FERS. Maybe they'll stop raiding it then? Further, they should contribute to their health insurance like any other civilian government employee, and be paid no higher than any current entry level SES government employee.
Totally agree. Also any pay raises politicians get should be voted on by the people during elections, not by the politicians themselves. We would all like to vote ourselves a raise, but it must be based on performance, and who better knows a politicians performance than their constituents?
Here's some information for you all incase you were wondering about Senate pensions:
http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/retirement_for_members.shtml
5 years of service and they get a pension. I need to get that kind of a gig.
Not only should Congress take a pay cut, but they should not make anymore than $1.00 a year until they agree on a budget resolution. Real leaders lead by example, not just by dictation.
Give Congress a 2 year pay freeze.
I get that people don't like Congressmen, but do you really want just anyone to make the laws for EVERYONE? They are compensated because they represent over 700.000 other people. That's not easy work, nor is it easy to come by. Also note that they DO pay for their own healthcare, they DO pay into social security, and they and their families completely devote themselves to their jobs. I would personally hate having to stay at work until 4 am.
Let's reduce spending, but you're kidding yourselves if you think just cutting Members' pay will help. You will not attract the best and brightest (whom we want in office), nor will you be able to make even a decent sized dent in the federal debt.
Wow.... What a close minded comment... Any Government trying to make changes should start at the top with making cuts. LEADING BY EXAMPLE..... Trimming the fat at the top where it spends the most money... Then working its way down making strategic budget cuts... Which is the same practice that any major company or organization would initiatiate under lesser circumstances.... This same procedure has worked for other countries... So why not do what is good for our country? If you are greedy and selfish you won't like this idea. We are one big team.... Let's start playing like one....
The fair thing to do would have been to cut the cost of living raise for all federal government workers.
