Thread: Pay raises in Washington

Originally Posted by Potter75

Well, their pay scale argues that the bulk of Americans disagree with you, as what we pay them says we value their role and experience enough to pay them significantly more.

Since all of these are public, if, say, a teacher wanted to get paid what a congress person did, they should have run for congress. Teachers in our state have gotten raises, as have police officers, etc etc etc. You also can't just post their salaries without also posting their average educations, tenure, etc etc. Its silly to act as though the average Senator has a similar job and should have similar pay as the average teacher similar because they both are "public servants". That would be like arguing that since a secretary and a CEO both work for a publicly traded corporation they ought to have similar compensation. Not so.

I am not saying they should be paid the same. I am sure it verries by state, but in DH's school and across much of the country teachers have not gotten any raises (Even cost of living raises they were promised when they were hired) in over 5 years.

I am not saying they should never getting raises or make a good amount of money. I am saying this was a poor time to do it.

I do agree that it is horrible timing to announce this right now, but my DH is a federal employee and has not had a raise in at least 3 years.

Originally Posted by AlyssaEimers

I am not saying they should be paid the same. I am sure it verries by state, but in DH's school and across much of the country teachers have not gotten any raises (Even cost of living raises they were promised when they were hired) in over 5 years.

I am not saying they should never getting raises or make a good amount of money. I am saying this was a poor time to do it.

Oh, you listing the pay of other public employees confused me then, sorry.

They have not had a pay raise since 2010, this one goes into effect in March of 13. When since '10 do you feel would have been a better time for them to have been given notice of the raise? I know that when I worked for Citigroup our bonuses and raises were always given at this time of year, it helped families a lot for budgeting and for allocating FSA allocations, 401K contribution percentages, ESP percentages etc etc.

Just more proof that now that he has been re-elected he doesn't really care what anyone thinks he can just thumb his nose at all the people who don't agree with his agenda.

At least someone thinks it is a bad idea.

Senator urges Obama to rescind pay raise for Congress | Fox News

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

Just more proof that now that he has been re-elected he doesn't really care what anyone thinks he can just thumb his nose at all the people who don't agree with his agenda.

Like all of those Republicans he just gave raises to? When you say "agenda" in this instance, what do you mean? They are still paid less than the "rich" who he wants to heavily penalize. What exactly do you mean, maybe I don't understand.

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

At least someone thinks it is a bad idea.

Senator urges Obama to rescind pay raise for Congress | Fox News

Give me a break. This nobody is using this moment to grandstand their "morality" and dislike of the president over $900? Cheap sale for their soul Want to make a real difference? Do something with your position. This is simple attention mongering and a false pretense of selflessness.....we talkin about 900 bucks here, folks. And while someone may cry 'thats a lot of money!" ............thats the price of the wine at a dinner for 6 in one night in DC with lobbyists. C'mon.

$900 for one person is not that much, but when you times it by everyone it adds up. Spending cuts need to happen in both small and large areas. I did read that in the new Bill that the House is working on that there is something to repeal the raises. I do not think they have much support right now.

Originally Posted by AlyssaEimers

$900 for one person is not that much, but when you times it by everyone it adds up. Spending cuts need to happen in both small and large areas. I did read that in the new Bill that the House is working on that there is something to repeal the raises. I do not think they have much support right now.

When the military is willy nilly placing million dollar orders with my husband and THOUSAND of other contractors like him at their fiscal year end (Sept 30) in order to "use it or lose it" and we are dickering about this sort of numbers its just silly posturing. This is small potatoes.

Originally Posted by Potter75

When the military is willy nilly placing million dollar orders with my husband and THOUSAND of other contractors like him at their fiscal year end (Sept 30) in order to "use it or lose it" and we are dickering about this sort of numbers its just silly posturing. This is small potatoes.

It might be small potatoes, but cuts should be made across the board. If an individual family was in a financial crisis, I would hope that not only would they cut down on the unnecessary major spending, but also cut out unnecessary petty spending as well. No one is saying this is the answer to the budget woes of America, but it really sent the wrong message to the struggling middle class that is looking a huge tax increases.