If our government is so frustrated about the budget, why do they continue to pay themselves such huge salaries?

Similar questions: government frustrated budget continue pay huge salaries.

I'm not sure that I agree with your statement. Senators and congressmen get paid $174,000/year. That's considerably more than I make, but it isn't what I would call *super wealthy*.

When you compare a senator's salary with the CEO of Exxon or GE - those guys are getting $15-20 million a year - congressmen aren't making very good money. Even mid level managers at a lot of companies make a ton more than $174,000/year.

Wow. Well, back in the day, my dad only got about $20,000 a year working for the government, so the $174,000 sounds like a lot to me. TessieJo 5 months ago .

Back in the day when your father was making $20,000, Congress was making about $40,000. It's not really an honest argument to compare salaries in 2011 against salaries in the 1950s, and then be surprised. Look at the following chart: senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-10... pdf.

Well, I'm not that old, but thanks for the chart. I guess out here in Oregon normal salaries just aren't that grand. TessieJo 5 months ago .

They do so for the very reason they find it acceptable not to tax the wealthy while they keep siphoning from the poor. It is a mind state in which they feel wholly ENTITLED, which also is one of the reasons they get in so much trouble in other areas. Had they not been so fully enabled by the people of this country for so long, they might not be so cocky about the double standards they apply to themselves and the people THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SERVING!

People have got to start pressuring these elitists to step up to the plate and realize they aren't the only game in town.

Yes, I'd like to see them REALLY have to make a housewife's budget and stick to it! TessieJo 5 months ago .

LOL! They'd be in 'money addiction' rehab in 2 days with the shakes, cold sweats, the runs and disorientation! .

Ya, well, when I hear of some of the stupid things the government pays for on top of their high salaries,....sheesh. TessieJo 5 months ago .

They earn them. If they do not work, they get replaced. Most do.It is up to the voters.

And as a per cent of what the government spends, the salaries are nothing.

Stupid things the government buys..."Well some are really stupid. But others are just obscure and the propaganda machine makes them seem like poor choices. Most can be explained.

But a lot is just wasted. Governments are like that.

It's pretty sad. I wish we had more power as voters. I think they get away with things alot because they vote in their own salaries and such.

Not exactly fair. TessieJo 5 months ago .

I do not have a problem with voting a salary system. If we do not like it we vote them out. If you want someone to do a good job, you should pay them what the work is worth.

Of course we could have elections for salaries. But that would just be more expense.

Because they have a cut everybody but me complex, goes with the job. Their perks are larger than their salaries, and what they make on the side is what buys Kennedy compounds, 5th ave Apts and Suite's at the Watergate.....

Ya, I forgot about the perks. That's just rediculous, isn't it? TessieJo 5 months ago .

That is why no senator or congressman who has been in office for more than 8 years is a millionaire, I am for term limits and no perks.

I believe that government should be fiscally conservative. I believe in a balanced budget. I believe in ..." "ARE YOU READY TO DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM OUR GOVERNMENT, WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE A HUGE HIT.

I believe that government should be fiscally conservative. I believe in a balanced budget. I believe in ...

Are you ready to demand accountability from our government, we are about to take a huge hit.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.