Congress gets a raise?!

That is the bes thing to do... all sarcasm included. How can the give themselves a raise when the economy is so bad? If you ask me, we shouldnt have blamed bush for the loss of money.maybe.......

Hey I just observed a strange and annoying thing, on all my posting there is a red underlined delete option included, as if Current.com is offering upfront for anyone who doesn't like my words to censor them, It is a sign of a poorly managed operation when only certain individuals are targeted for their opinions. Thanks current.com for being the leader in free speech. What next, you going to send someone to my house to admonish me just like the gwb gang did! If my words offend or upset anyone, then maybe there is something to be said about what I am saying, as in I strike nerves, and motivate people to participate and object, but do I have not this right also? Again back on this subject, when politicians are at their best, is when they are unemployed, Hell, no other bullshit artist works harder than a politician running for office. If they win, then the tasks promised are never realized, if they lose, then they try harder the next time to bullshit the public better!!!!

These are the times when anarchy looks so good! The three most overpaid, underproductive, and selfish jobs in this country are as follows, politicians, lawyers, and consultants!

It's sad congress gets big raises, while poor people are going hungry, living on the streets. ect
Congress don't need the extra money their just greedy

The rich keep getting richer, and the poor keep getting poorer. The middle-class is starting to become extinct, either you lose your job and get poor as most US citizens do, or you hang on to that job and keep getting promotions and pay raises until you earn six figure income like Congress does.

This was an automatic pay raise, they tried to pass a bill to stop it, but it did not get enough votes to pass. Most of Congress is Liberal Democrats who claim they are the only ones who care for the poor people and working class, and they just gave themselves a pay raise recently.

How about Congress donates 10% of their salary towards disabled veterans? It seems to be our veterans of foreign wars, need the money for artificial limbs and job training. Not only did they lose body parts, but they don't have the job skills or training for modern jobs, only combat skills.

boo. 2 thumbs down. i vote no.

When can the people who voted these greedy pigs in get together and have a peaceful rally in Washington? I am ready to go, who will join me? By the way, this Congress is majority Democrats.

I've read the entire article titanost. Of course the writer is biased. He didn't pretend he wasn't. Even biased opinions have the right to be printed. It could be said that your response is biased against the writer. The important thing is that his details are accurate and the raises are a matter of record. I believe that the reason the responses reveal so much anger is because people are tired of the politicians in Congress looking out for them selves first while the average American is struggling to make ends meet. And it's not just the raise. People are also tired of the fact that so many Congressmen are up for sale and can be bought through the efforts of the big business lobbyists. This illegal income is tolerated by most other members of Congress, looking the other way, because they too are benefiting from their close relationship with the right people. Money speaks in Washington and it's no secret. I read the whole article but did you? Did you read to the very end where it said the raise is being opposed by the nations largest nonpartisan senior group numbering 1.2 million in membership. I guess with your definition they are biased and need to shut up. Yes, they are biased concerning this issue and once again are not denying it because they are Americans, who like the responders of this article, have a right to an opinion about Congress who already have a poor reputation for waisting the taxpayer's money. I think what we want is for Congress through their actions to actually express the patriotism they booster about on their stumps and put their damn pay raise aside while the entire country is teetering on the edge of a financial ruin not seen since the Great Depression. Yes, the whole country appears to be biased toward our Congress and our President and they should be heard.

And this is a surprise to anyone???!! Its a well know fact that "All politicians," are Crooks, Liars, & some double Crooks.

And heres a prediction..

Its going to stay that way until, We The People, Of This Free & Democratic Republic, get rid of the 2 parties controlling this mafia

No tickle-down economics here. Politicians know the people won't do anything about it except grumble a little bit. Unless everybody's feeling the pain it will be business as usual...so put your hat on and watch out for more falling shit.

You know it took over 200 years for the amendment to be added that prevents them from giving themselves a raise.

Now they can only give one going forward. That;s why they make taxes that effect them not effective until the next term where they will get the raise that counter acts the effects of the tax assessment on themselves

It's obvious that Congressional members are not afraid of being voted out of office because of their greed and self indulgence at the expense of the taxpayer. They aren't afraid because they know voters tend to develop amnesia at election time and will send them back to Congress no matter who they are and what they have or havn't done. They may be crooked but they're not dumb. They know this blind voting happens because for one thing many people vote straight party tickets regardless of who is running. As a result the parasites automatically retain their seats. Remember Bush retained his office after 4 years of corruption and ineptness. Will the voters ever began to punish the crooks and reward the honest and the ethical. Until that time comes, if it ever comes, Americans can expect more of these mongers will occupy the positions of incorrectly defined leadership while they steal the people blind and take refuge in their ill gained Congressional seats. We as voters need to get involved and be aware enough to know which of these leeches to remove from office.

Yeah that Pelosi more open, honest Congress is working out real well isn't it. Thank you Democrat Party. These fools are fiddling while Rome is burning.

I hope all you Democrat is better than Republican people are seeing the light.

I can't type fast enough or find enough words in the English language to express my contempt for Pelosi and company.

I'm fed up with every single person who has commented on this article so far. Read the article, people. It's biased reporting, a classic case of a writer with an agenda trying to turn something into a black and white issue.

Aren't we smart enough to know that nothing in our world is black and white? Don't we know better than to say that Congress is "all just a bunch of hungry pigs" (thanks Unashamed_muse) or "We're all out here starving and yet you are living high on the hog" (thanks for the misinformation, Ayahuasca2012).

What bothers me is that most of the people who commented on this story probably also have the right to vote. Seriously, it's disturbing that you are all getting so angry about this "news" without bothering to hear the full story. Is this the same way that you all make decisions about who to vote for, as well? Do you like jumping to conclusions about people or groups after hearing only a very minor, biased side of a story?

For goodness sake, before getting so worked up about this "issue", try actually reading the whole article. Hear the full story, and ask yourself what you have been mislead into believing. Also, question the writer's agenda, his background, and the strange, insidious way in which he spins the truth. Smarten up, people!!!

its not enough to complain. We need some action, how can we repeal this salary increase? What would be a plausible solution?Any ideas?

CEOs make megabucks for taking their companies down the tubes. It only makes sense that our public servants should be afforded the same compensation. Where does nonsense end and common sense reasoning begin?

What's new... ? This has always being the way the status quo has been programmed to run. We should all polka up and ....

I called my Congressman and his switchboard operator had no idea what I was talking about but "would relay the message"

Find your senator send them an email.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

What happened to working for $1 a year! Good for the goose good for the gander.

what complete and utter bulls%!#

For all of of you who are complaining about this story: if you yourself are planning on getting a raise at any point this year from your job, then practice what you preach and turn it down. Or give the extra money to charity. Or hell, when you pay your taxes, send that extra money to Uncle Sam, because that's what you're essentially asking the Members of Congress to do.

First of all, they didn't vote to "give" themselves a raise - they merely didn't band together to initiate a movement against one. How odd would it be for you and your co-workers to form an alliance to turn down any raises from your employer? Of course you wouldn't do that. Neither did Congress.

Secondly, come on people. Only 34 members of congress (about 6%) were behind this bill, which was an initiative by a Republican from Arizona to try to eliminate the automatic pay raise that congressmen get. I'll bet most congressmen didn't even know about the bill.

Third, look at where this story is coming from. It was written by a member of the Senior Citizen's League, which is probably some lobbying group angling to have more tax dollars spent on the needs of the elderly. Read the actual article - this is a classic, blatant case of biased reporting. READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

Truly disgusting!

JUST VENTING AMONG OUR SELVES DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD -EMAIL YOUR REPS ,YOUR SENATORS -YELL AND COMPLAIN -AND KEEP THIS IN MIND NEXTIME YOUR VOTING -WE HAVE THE POWER LETS USE IT -WE DID IT ONCE REMEMBER{THE BOSTON TEA PARTY} WELL LETS HAVE OUR SELVES{ A WASHINGTON TEA PARTY}!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bad news? We voted them in.
The good news? We can vote them out.

Hang them all, and hang them high!

We understand its the holidays, this little "Christmas Bonus" isn't quite necessary when you rack in $170,000 a year.

I wish I could vote in my own salary where I work =))

Fuck you Congress! You assholes! We're all out here starving and yet you are living high on the hog. You'll get yours... karma is a motherfucking bitch.

I'm still of the opinion that a position of office (Mayor, Governor, Senator, etc...) should be volunteer work. Or at the very most pay you a very minimal wage (like... hmm... maybe minimum wage) only for hours worked. Any corruption should be dealt with harshly with mandatory prison sentences and lots of community service after your release from prison. That ought to keep those bastards honest.

Well no one wants to fight back, so don't expect things to change. Keep being pacifists and this will keep happening. Period.

Dammit, demote those that voted for that to BITCH DOG!
Yeah, I said that.

It is business as usual for them. They "have their cushy cobs and benefits" and cling to them while everyone else sinks.

PLEASE to to www.change.gov and voice your outrage about this. And pass it on. If enough people jam that site, maybe the message will get there.

This is absolutely appalling. I am so disgusted with our government. They are all greedy, self-serving
@@#)(*. The country is on the verge of economic collapse and they have the narcissism and arrogance to give themselves a pay increase. These Sentors and Congressmen our worthless and a disgrace to this country. They represent their own well being and spend OUR (the American peoples) money without any regard to how the American people feel about. It's time to clean house and get rid of all of them in Washington. I am sicken with their behavior and lack of concern for the American people, our jobs, our homes, our future, our country, and if we have food on our tables to feed our children. Shame on them!

I believe that next term we should get rid of all congress. Not abolishing it but taking all the incumbent politicians out of congress and electing an entirely new gang. See if that helps

Wow, even Congress gets a bailout. Ludicrous. When do the people start standing up to this?

we havet to vote THE PIGS OUT

If I align myself with the dark side can I have a raise also?

That's exactly what they are, hungry pigs.

And the Republicans filibustered the bridge loan for the auto industry because they thought that the union, blue-collar workers were allegedly making too much money per hour?

OMG! The Mayor of our city and a few of her cronies attempted to do this as well, but their voters emailed them and they ended up changing their minds. I can not for the life of me understand politicians. Seems their all just a bunch of hungry pigs!

Bullshit!

These crooks should be working at minimum wage.

Voluntary obligation to use nothing but mass transit.

College dorm style accommodations in D.C.

Representing the Constituents should be selfless.

Libertas inaestimabilis res est

Pareo Nullus

what a job...long Christmas and summer breaks to! The first suggestion I wrote to the Obama site (lot of good it will do) was to ask why Congress, with all the trouble we are in doesn't stop taking long breaks? The fact is most have another job that pays about as much.

They're certainly looking out for the people's interests alright. More like stealing the people's wallets and purses. Given that state of the economy, they want to up their salaries. Don't tell me it's raining when they're just peeing on us.

Well Ron Paul cosponsored the bill, along with 33 other Representatives. Just because the man has the brains to see that giving himself a raise right now is the most assinine thing they could possibly do, doesn't make him the best guy on the Hill. I mean, some of the shit he's for is WAY out of left field, like doing away with the UN...

ron paul voted no.