Yet the MAGA House members, as the others, will continue to get paid despite the government shutdown, unlike their non-essential staff and so many others who are deemed lesser entities. Let that soak in. They will get theirs while we do without. The people who are driving the car over the cliff are getting their salary, pension, and benefits to do so, out of our pockets. They do it because they can, and because there are no consequences for them when they are in safe, sometimes gerrymandered districts which ensure no accountability for them other than what the history books later will have to say.
It's a great gig if you can get it, and if you don't care what happens to everyone else. Thankfully momma raised me better than that.
After Dems have free control of Congress, I wonder if they could be motivated to write legislation requiring future shut downs to apply to their own paychecks?
If they didn't do it before, I'm not optimistic that they would do so later. Sort of like the redistricting issue where I live -- it only becomes a priority when they are out of power and can't do anything about it. Had they acted sooner, we wouldn't be in the mess now. Perceived self-interest likely has a lot to do with it.
Me too; unfortunately I think Dems overshot the integrity goal when they dumped Al Franken. Fortunately he now has a weekly podcast which keeps him in the game. A brilliant and decent person, in my opinion.
But THEY are not driving a car over any cliff. That could be dangerous. They know that the car is programmed to drive over the cliff, want that to happen, and hope that the other guy will get the blame as they continue to bank their checks. No money for bread? Let'em eat cake.
I was the unwilling participant of 11 government shutdowns, some in the military and some as a civilian. I didn't have a choice and had to go to work and actually DO WORK through all of them, and it was never certain that I would get paid once things started up. If/when the government shuts down, these morons need to show up to work 24/7 until they do their jobs and get government funded and working again. They do not get overtime, they can't work on "pet projects which have no deadlines" (other than being voted out during an election), and they can only have scheduled bathroom breaks and 30 minutes each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Any shower breaks will come out of their mealtime totals.
These are obviously NOT essential personnel if they have no requirement to show progress on their primary function at this time. Let's see how many of their constituents are contractors and actually open their mouths to push for some sanity and professionalism from their "representatives" when their bills start piling up. Could someone please call the Gazpacho Police to have them arrested for fraud and malfeasance?
I support going back to the original payment scheme: Delegates came at their own (or their constituents')charges as a service to the country. Nobody knew this part-time job would become a millionaire status gig.
You got it. Why don’t we worry about malpractice in government? I have friends and relatives who were affected as you were. Nobody was in an income bracket to take the hit. The worry and uncertainty was horrible for them.
I am with you 100%. I don’t understand people who take an oath to uphold the Constitution, and know they are representing other people--not to mention the pay--and then are so vile that they fulfill none of their responsibilities. I wonder if Matt Gaetz is still under investigation for sex-trafficking and breaking the Mann Act?
There used to be a local TV show in my town called Life Without Shame. It was cringy, and foreshadowed a lot of what we have fed to our screens today, but I can't look at a Republican and not think of that title as a fitting title or lede for anything about them.
Yet the MAGA House members, as the others, will continue to get paid despite the government shutdown, unlike their non-essential staff and so many others who are deemed lesser entities. Let that soak in. They will get theirs while we do without. The people who are driving the car over the cliff are getting their salary, pension, and benefits to do so, out of our pockets. They do it because they can, and because there are no consequences for them when they are in safe, sometimes gerrymandered districts which ensure no accountability for them other than what the history books later will have to say.
It's a great gig if you can get it, and if you don't care what happens to everyone else. Thankfully momma raised me better than that.
After Dems have free control of Congress, I wonder if they could be motivated to write legislation requiring future shut downs to apply to their own paychecks?
Given how our politics have evolved, a good percentage of congress people can afford not to be paid.
Which makes them look even more like Scrooge. To those paying attention, anyway.
If they didn't do it before, I'm not optimistic that they would do so later. Sort of like the redistricting issue where I live -- it only becomes a priority when they are out of power and can't do anything about it. Had they acted sooner, we wouldn't be in the mess now. Perceived self-interest likely has a lot to do with it.
You’re probably right. But I have a fresh sense that Dems are seeing “integrity” as a political weapon, if not a personal virtue. What a concept.
Can't it be both a virtue and a weapon? I see certain types of politicians flaunting their family values for both purposes.
The “family values” message of the GOP is similar, if only it was authentic.
I'm all for playing the integrity and honesty cards. It is the right move in my eyes. If enough people are willing to listen.
Me too; unfortunately I think Dems overshot the integrity goal when they dumped Al Franken. Fortunately he now has a weekly podcast which keeps him in the game. A brilliant and decent person, in my opinion.
I'm all for it too, the problem is that too many people don't use their brains and so you get Menendez = Trump = They're all corrupt!
How did I miss this? It looks very recent. Clever, naming it for McCarthy. Maybe it will succeed someday? Thanks for sharing the link, Cranky.
But THEY are not driving a car over any cliff. That could be dangerous. They know that the car is programmed to drive over the cliff, want that to happen, and hope that the other guy will get the blame as they continue to bank their checks. No money for bread? Let'em eat cake.
I was the unwilling participant of 11 government shutdowns, some in the military and some as a civilian. I didn't have a choice and had to go to work and actually DO WORK through all of them, and it was never certain that I would get paid once things started up. If/when the government shuts down, these morons need to show up to work 24/7 until they do their jobs and get government funded and working again. They do not get overtime, they can't work on "pet projects which have no deadlines" (other than being voted out during an election), and they can only have scheduled bathroom breaks and 30 minutes each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Any shower breaks will come out of their mealtime totals.
These are obviously NOT essential personnel if they have no requirement to show progress on their primary function at this time. Let's see how many of their constituents are contractors and actually open their mouths to push for some sanity and professionalism from their "representatives" when their bills start piling up. Could someone please call the Gazpacho Police to have them arrested for fraud and malfeasance?
I support going back to the original payment scheme: Delegates came at their own (or their constituents')charges as a service to the country. Nobody knew this part-time job would become a millionaire status gig.
You got it. Why don’t we worry about malpractice in government? I have friends and relatives who were affected as you were. Nobody was in an income bracket to take the hit. The worry and uncertainty was horrible for them.
Yeah. Something needs to be done about Congress. As MTG says, it's a real peach tree dish.
Heres and idea.No pay for the House Republicans during the shutdown.They may figure it out then.
I am with you 100%. I don’t understand people who take an oath to uphold the Constitution, and know they are representing other people--not to mention the pay--and then are so vile that they fulfill none of their responsibilities. I wonder if Matt Gaetz is still under investigation for sex-trafficking and breaking the Mann Act?
There used to be a local TV show in my town called Life Without Shame. It was cringy, and foreshadowed a lot of what we have fed to our screens today, but I can't look at a Republican and not think of that title as a fitting title or lede for anything about them.