(I hope this isn't considered as a "political thread". It's not intended to bash any particular party or person - just general information about some shady dealings going on in Washington.)

I usually don't read e-mails like this, but recently, a friend e-mailed me this, and I think it's pretty disgusting what's going on. Is there anything we can do about it?

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Perhaps we were asking the wrong questions in this past election year ...

Our Senators/Congressmen do not pay into Social Security, and, therefore they do not collect from it. Social Security benefits were not suitable for them. They felt they should have a special plan. Many years ago they voted in their benefit plan. In more recent years, no congress person has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan. For all practical purposes, their plan works like this: When they retire, no matter how long they have been in office, they continue to draw their same pay until they die, except it may be increased from time to time by cost-of-living adjustments. For example, former Senator Bill Bradley (New Jersey) and his wife may be expected to draw $7,900,000.00 over an average life span, with Mrs. Bradley drawing $275,000.00 during the last year of her life. Their cost for this excellent plan is "0", nada, zilch. This little perk they voted in for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. Our tax dollars at work!

Social Security, which you and I pay into every payday for our own retirement, with an equal amount paid in by our employer, we can expect to receive an average of $1,000 per month. We would have to collect our benefits for 68 years and 1 month to equal the Bradley's benefits. Imagine for a moment that you could structure a retirement plan so desirable, a retirement plan that worked so well, that Railroad Employees, Postal Workers, and others who were not in the plan would clamor to be included. This is how good Social Security could be, if only one small change was made. That change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan out from under the Senators & Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us. Watch how fast they fix it!!! If enough people receive this message maybe a seed will be planted, and maybe good changes will evolve.

Don't forget, our girl, Hillary Rodham Clinton, now comes under this Congressional Retirement Plan. Talking about the Clinton's, it's common knowledge that, in order for her to establish NYS residency, they purchased a million$+ house in upscale Chappaqua, NY. Makes sense. Now, they are entitled to Secret Service protection for life. Still makes sense. Here is where it becomes interesting.... A residency had to be built in order to house the Secret Service agents. The Clinton's now charge the Secret Service rent for the use of said residence and that rent is just about equal to their mortgage payment, meaning that we, the tax payers, are paying the Clinton's mortgage - and it's all perfectly legal.

How many people can YOU send this to?

 

so basically this is telling me that it's time for Mingster to run for office?

hmm...Mingster the Congressman...that sounds nice!

 

Sounds great! Get elected, resign next day, and you'll never have to work again!

 

That sucks about Congress. I think they should be forced to eat their own dog food with the rest of us. However, I think a former president, no matter what his party affiliation, should live high on the hog after leaving office. It's gotta be the most stressful job in the world. As such, the country should try to minimize life's worries for him after he leaves office.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 1Y2KS2K
[B]Sounds great!

 

OK, so it begs the question of what we do next? It's hard to make them vote out their own "pension," so what's a voter to do?

Personally, I think each house should make the salary and benefits decision for the other. Granted this opens the door for backscratching and favor-trading, but I think it would keep them a lot more honest. Better yet, why don't they let the voters decide?

 

That does suck, but like Sondra says, what are we suppose to do about it. Even if the voters get to decide, I'm sure congress will find another way to fatten up their retirement.

 

If Congressman can do this why can't we choose where our retirement money goes. I think I would much rather decide how to invest my social securty money. Oh that's right if they let us do that where would they get the money for the checks that they are writing right now!!!?

 

My wife read me a quote that seems appropriate here, it goes something like: "If you think you are too small to be effective, then you have never been in bed with a mosquito." In other words if we want to get this changed we've got to start somewhere. Not that I'm volunteering, just food for thought.

 

Never mind that mosquitos generally get squashed.