Know what’s one of the most recession proof jobs? Congressman. In the middle of this recession, they were even thinking of spending $330 million on new jets for themselves.
That’s crazy.
Maybe we should start tying Congress’s perks directly into the economy. If it’s failing, we cut their pay, turn off the air conditioning in the Capitol, that sort of thing. And maybe start laying them off. “Sorry, we can only afford 400 arrogant jerks to mess around with the country’s laws right now.”
Worth considering.
I’m in! we’d save tons of money with out them spending.
Maybe we should start tying Congress’s perks directly into the economy. If it’s failing, we cut their pay, turn off the air conditioning in the Capitol, that sort of thing. And maybe start laying them off. “Sorry, we can only afford 400 arrogant jerks to mess around with the country’s laws right now.”
We should do all of those things to them even when the economys good.
What are you suggesting, that the gov’t be run like a business? Why you evil, capitalist pig.
Brilliant!! Seriously one of the best ideas I’ve heard. You should do a full PJTV article on this.
I say we offer them as a sacrifice to our new Martian overlords.
I’ve believed for the longest time that we should remove federal funding for Congressmen. The State that sent him/her to the Congress should foot the bill.
Every year, the Congresscritter would be required to submit a budget to the State government for approval (just like any other entity that wants taxpayer money.) The State votes up/down on the budget and appropriates the money. Need more? Gotta ask the State legislature. Want more assistants? Gotta justify it.
This would remove the current “trough mentality” where the budget comes out of the “Federal” trough (really State money) and removing direct accountability from the elected representative to their constituents. Further, it would shed light on the cost of business — always a good thing. Lastly, it would remove the partisan aspect from “who gets what.”
Congress has been hoisted on their own petard! Being a congressman is marginally better than a child molestor…maybe!
Don’t be mean to our congresscritters!! They work very hard to screw us over.
…and let Kahlifohnea pay them with IOU’s, like the rest of their employees…BRILLIANT!
Factory workers at the Boeing plant think new jets for Congress is a great idea.:) >>>America has been doing teleconferencing for years. Why not have Congress stay within their own state year-round and vote electronically, write bills online, debate online, etc….etc….etc…>>>Because then they’d have to face their constituents, and they certainly don’t want that.
Factory workers at the Boeing plant think new jets for Congress is a great idea.:) >>>America has been doing teleconferencing for years. Why not have Congress stay within their own state year-round and vote electronically, write bills online, debate online, etc….etc….etc…>>>Because then they’d have to face their constituents, and they certainly don’t want that.
Forgot to mention good post. Can’t wait to seeing the next one!
Nice work Frank!
>>>America has been doing teleconferencing for years. Why not have Congress stay within their own state year-round and vote electronically, write bills online, debate online, etc….etc….etc…>>>Because then they’d have to face their constituents, and they certainly don’t want that.
Ditto this! Also, it would intrinsically change the lobbying game. You want our congressperson’s vote? You have to come to our state and convince them. ie: money gets spent locally rather than in DC.
I have long advocated a total ban on air conditioning within a 50 mile radius of the Washington Monument. That would help a lot.
You know, back at the founding Jefferson and Hamilton got into some silly fight over debt assumption or whatever. To settle the dispute, Jefferson agreed to Hamilton’s plan so long as he could pick the location for the new capital. Where did he choose? A malarial swamp.
Now, historians say that is because he wanted it close to his home state of Virginia. Nonsense. The libertarian Jefferson didn’t want Congress to ever pass any laws. After all, Jefferson once said, “Our liberty will never be secure so long as Congress is in session.” His plan worked brilliantly. For many many decades Congress spent most of the year out of session. But then, modern technology made it possible to live in DC without much of a hassle. So now, Congress spends most of the year in session and we all suffer because of it. Major bummer.
So, along with your proposal, I submit my own: Move the Capital building to the bottom of the sea. That way, they won’t ever want to meet again to propose new legislation.
Instead of a fleet of luxury Gulfstream jets, buy one 747 or a double decker Airbus, and require them all to take a trip to Hawaii at Christmas.
If the budget is only 80% funded with a 20% deficit, they get enough fuel to get 80% there.
If the budget is 110% paid for- with a 10% surplus,
they get enough fuel to get there
and 10% of the way back.
Either way the country wins. You could probably only do this one or two times before the average liberal congressman catches on.
Recession proof job? Ammunition manufacturing
Hmm…How about allowing them, even encouraging them, to go ahead & get the jets, but only on the condition that the jets be piloted exclusively by swarthy middle easterners with clearly Muslim names but with no background checks or security screening…you know, like at all the airports before & especially after 9-11. We wouldn’t want our congressmen to be denied the same privileges we had to endure in the name of tolerance.
I’ve made this argument before. Why should Delaware get two senators when they only rate 1 congressman? Heck, it’s not even a good size city! The most DE should rate is a Mayor.
I like the idea about the state paying the bill for thier representation…. I also like the idea of me paying MY state all my “taxes” and the state giving the feds thier fair share.
If the states paid the Senators salaries directly, would each district have to pay for their own congressmen?
Or would just taking the blame for them be enough?