Poll: Cut Congress and White House Salaries to Slash Federal Debt

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"Keep in mind, we pay the moron rappers billions to cuss to a stupid single beat. I am not sure 180K is too much for someone who is working for their country"
First we dont pay rappers anything people who like their product pay them. I dont like it I dont pay for it. I dont like congress much either but I am stuck with them
Congressmen are the lowest performing public servants by any category not only should their pay be cut to that of a high scholl teacher, their expenses should be slashed as well, no first class travel, no cadillac healthcare, no pension after just one term (401 K like the rest of us) and like doctors no gifts or services over $25. Some might serve their country but if that important to them they can take lower pay

Rob Kent of CA 11:26AM July 29, 2011

Keep in mind, we pay the moron rappers billions to cuss to a stupid single beat. I am not sure 180K is too much for someone who is working for their country.

John of AL 12:36PM November 11, 2010

Commenting on their salaries...maybe 180,000 wouldn't be so much if they worked 365 days out of the year like the rest of us. And all their perks they receive in addition to their salaries. Does anyone have any clue on how much all the perks come to? Reading about our founding fathers, they couldn't WAIT to leave public office and return home to their families and work in the private sector. What has happened? Our politicians want to stay in office FOREVER and it is looked on as something admirable. I think it is just the opposite.

Barbara of LA 10:03AM December 09, 2009

We definitely need term limits on congress. Too many have been there too long and over the years have held grudges with the other party and now all we have is a two party system who will go to any length to get even with the other or get there way regardless of what it means to the American public. And all this "deal cutting" and "arm twisting" that goes on to get votes, where is the fairness and honety? They need to be held accountable, too much power is being pushed by those who have been there way too long, its time to "clean the House". My only concern is its been proven that politicians will tell us what we want to hear during the campaign and do as they want once elected, how can we hold them to there campaign promises?
I am very very unsatisfied with Washington. No trust at all.

Kathy of MN 10:08AM October 30, 2009

I don't think the 180 thousand salary is to much. It is the fact they are no longer voting the voice of their constituency that is at the heart of the issue with the Congress and the Senate. They are voting party lines and corporate politics. That is what the people are up in arms about.
This is our country, these are our representitives, this is the nation our grandfathers, fathers, and our children have fought for, we are paying the bills, and we are not being heard over the din of the party line that has been bought by the lobbyist.
This is what I would like to see. A district to district secure call in or web based legislation line. Legislation is put forth to the public with an appropriate veiwing, discussion, debate, time allotment. After an apropriate amount of time constiuents can then register a vote, if the representitive of their district does not vote the voice of their district then perhaps it would be time for that representitive to be answerable to their constituency. It would remove the power of the vote from being centralized with lobbyist, DNC, RNC and put it back in the hands of the constituency. If they have something they want to sell come sell it to the people, we are the ones paying for it.
How many more people would stay envolved in the legislative process if they once again felt their vote counted? Issues would be discussed, town hall meetings held, discussion and debates amongst neighbors, in neighborhoods, grocery stores. In the places where it matters most to the people who it matters the most to.
I do not think it was neglect on the part of the people that thier voice got lost, I think they honestly trusted their representitives, and with that trust a certain comfort level grew, from that complacency grew. But the lobbyist, DNC, RNC, have taken advantage of that trust and abused it. We are now feeling like a betrayed partner in an abusive relationship, our ability to trust is in shards. Just as what happens in many of these relationships the arbitration has begun. We want our voice back, our votes to count, we want some accountability on their side. We want the bi partisan politics to stop and we want the example of that to start on Capitol Hill. The argueing, bickering, name calling, trying to get us to pick sides will stop, because there is only so much most of us can take. At that point we will look at each other and know that is not where the problem lies. For the most part we do ok being neighbors, friends, partners. I think we are at the point we know that this current representation will be voted out either one at a time or collectively in the next couple of elections. The parties should probably come to understand that and put forward reasonable trustworthy candidates or be left behind.

Jaye of OR 6:52AM October 24, 2009

The old saying is that the leader is the front dog of the team. Congress should be the example and take the lead by cutting their own salaries. Good leaders go where they want their followers to go. Do as I do, not as I say.

Robert Luken of MN 3:55PM October 23, 2009

I hope we can salvage our great country, America. For the past
60 decades Presidens/politicans have been concerned with their
own vision and listening to lobbyists instead of their constiuents. The Constitution I read states the opposite. It could be a blessing that everything has changed drastically; because the American people are getting their heads out of the sand as this is getting to close to home and their pocketbooks!
Only way to get our attention it seems; otherwise were're to busy spending $, eating, drinking & having fun.
I only hope it's not to late to turn back all this craziness;
right is wrong & wrong is right that is going on. We just need
COMMON SENSE, BEING INVOLVED, BEING INFORMED (that's easy today)and yes, Tea parties, protesting (peaceful.) We haven't been
seriously involved for a long time, but if we want to remain free, freedom of speech, right to arms, & our other precious
gifts we were given by God we had better be and stay involved.
We are the only country that have all the freedoms (some have been stripped away & once their gone we will NEVER get them back). This is NOT about Dems, Repubs, Independents or any other party. THIS IS ABOUT TAKING OUR COUNTRY BACK AND BEING
GOVERNED BY THE CONSTITUTION. IT WORKED FOR 233 YRS. AND THERE'S NO REASON IT WON'T CONTINUE TO WORK IF WE STAY INVOLVED & INFORMED. If you love your children, grandchildren this will be your #1 priority. Children already have $32, of debt with the unnecessary Fed. Gov. spending since Pres. Bush ok'd the Tarp spending & it just continued downhill.
Congress definitely needs term limits, same health care we have, SS like we have and yes, a pay cut. They need to live in the Real World and just maybe their common sense would return.
Gov. health care is in my opinion a neg. plan. Gov. has no business telling or limiting choices re. our personal health care. Other countries have tried it and have suffered many neg. consequences, and oh yes, many come to the US for treatment! Why would that be? Think of the cost/inconvenience esp. when one is sick. Hmmmm. The Public option and coops are both unsatisfactory. Coops from what I read can easily turned into a Public Option with legislation!! Imagine the Gov. who already is overstepping Const. boundaries taking over all the hospitals, no competition for ins. (wow, they could charge whatever) setting guidelines for Prof. medical personnel salaries (how many new doctors or doctors already licensed will stay in the med. field). 32 new bureauocracies will be created too. Do we need expansion of Gov. or less?? Billions of $ will be taken from Medicare/Medicaid to use for the new program. Is that realistic in helping Seniors/& the poor, hmmm.
Our healthcare plan isn't perfect, it needs to be changed in many ways, however we don't have to settle for an upside down plan run entirely by the Gov. What Gov. Programs are you aware
of that have a Balanced Budget?????????????

Carole Griffin of SC 7:28PM October 01, 2009

I'm for limiting Congress people to 12 years maximum service. The House term should be four years so that they don't have to keep worrying about running for reelection. Maximum of three terms for the House, two terms for the Senate. We need to stop the practice of what was called "logrolling" in my high school civics class. Refuse money from lobbyists, but if Congress people insist on accepting the money don't vote for or against proposed legilation that lobbyists wish for. As far as health care goes, vote for the public option if that brings down the cost.

Jack L.Golding of KS 5:30PM October 01, 2009

I'm a Republican, and I'm deeply offended that I should have to take a pay cut just
because John Mccain and Sarah Palin botched the last election. Make John Mccain
take the pay cut and keep me out of it.

Unnamed of DC 3:01PM October 01, 2009

Congress needs to have the same medical plans that they are wanting us to have. And until they resolve the issue of health care, strip away their health plans so there is an incentive to stop arguing and hammer out something for the public, as well as the health plan they will have as well.
End their lucrative retirement system and put them (Congress) on the same social security system that John and Jane Doe American Public has.
Oh yes, no more than two terms in office, and even that is too much.....for power corrupts. Being a Congressman used to be a seat of honor that paid a nominal stipend....of course that was in the infancy of our nation. Better get back to these basics...

Michael Eads of CA 2:11PM October 01, 2009