Deseret News | Matheson again fights automatic pay hike

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Matheson again fights automatic pay hike

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Scott Trent | 8:58 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

One-Hundred and Sixty-Billion Dollars... thats how much money is taken from you by force per month by the US Federal Government. Times are tough everywhere except for that gaping black hole (Washington D.C.) A black hole is a region of space in which the gravitational field is so powerful that nothing, including electromagnetic radiation (e.g. visible light), can escape its pull after having fallen past its event horizon. Washington D.C.

RDH | 9:04 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

This is just another point that proves congress lives in their own bubble, totally out of touch with reality or care to be part of what's really going on! They're good at "looking the other way", of what the citizens of this country elected them to do, they're so blatantly arrogant!
NO, they do not deserve a raise, just as Americans are cutting back-so should they! How out of touch, how uncaring are they really to America's economy. Its that mentality of 'do as I say, not as I do'! Is that why they wanted the bailout, help cover that raise to help put some of that GREEN in their pockets.....not ours!?!?

Mick | 9:06 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

The fact they put the pay raise on "automatic" instead of voting for them shows how spineless our Congress has become. Forget Democrat or Republican, and just throw the whole lot out. We need some new faces in Washington.

Comments continue below

CMT | 9:15 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Enough, Enough. Should we have a recall of all congressional individuals. Also lets add a recall for all the Senators.

bluedog23 | 9:16 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

If I had not lived through the last 8 years I would say this is unbelievable. There are words to describe this but if you can't figure them out without me writing them you're part of the problem.

Anonymous | 9:16 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

This is an annual "bank robbery" of the U.S. taxpayers by arrogant thieves in Washington, D.C. Think of the pittance pay raise they give those on social security and the largesse they bestow upon their self. Why should they be rewarded for spending the taxpayers into bankruptcy? What a bunch of losers! If we had an opportunity to vote on this, you can be sure they would never receive it! It needs to be eliminated now!

Jubal Harshaw | 9:19 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

All elected officials should receive pay and benefits equal to the median of their constituents. No more, no less.
That would encourage them to be concerned about "their people."

anvil2001 | 9:36 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

People has long as there no term limits in Congress we really have no control.

sarajo | 9:39 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

With the lousy job congress has done this year and low approval ratings they don't deserve a raise--not to mention the economy. This is probably the most ineffectual congress, with the most ineffectual leadership in YEARS. And lets also take into consideration their lack of oversight with Fannie and Freddie! Before I retired when I didn't perform raises were out of the quesion - and lucky to keep job!!!

Same applies, as far as I am concerned, to a do nothing congress!!!!!

Anonymous | 9:48 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Shame on Congress, when the Country is in such bad shape. Tell them to give that raise to help the disabled vetrens comming home . To help the veterans hospitals . If not , vote them ALL out !!!!

KC | 9:49 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Now who in control of Congress. Oh I forgot the Democrats. I thought it was republicans who are greedy.

Duane3 | 9:49 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I agree with "Surprised" totally..And in answer to the question, "how"? "Gut's" I say! "Gut's"!!! Too many people are too fat, too rich, too greedy and too afraid they may have to actually give something to this country other than words, or money, or their time, or maybe their lives... "Gutless"...I always think back to the Lincolns, and the Washingtons, ect..Men of Honor, Men who had Gut's America may go under due to lack of "gut's..

Anonymous | 9:59 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Would you get a raise if your boss gave you a 14 percent efficiency rating?

another CPA | 10:05 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Interesting that a fellow CPA should state that a Congressman can deduct the cost of 2 houses ... so what. A deduction is not the same as a credit ... if you're in a combined 40% bracket a one dollar deduction saves you only 40 cents ... 60 cents still comes out of your own pocket ... the deductibility of housing is not the issue here.

Our real problem is that we've gotten away from the founding fathers' notion that it's a civic duty to serve and that our legislature was intended as a part-time endeavor. Congress should be in session for only 2 months of the year for say $10,000 per month plus housing in a large dorm at the University of Maryland or Univ. of Va. No pension plan, no other hidden benefits, travel on military aircraft back home ... show you want to serve America ... I'd do it for nothing just to help ... our politicians have created our problems, we've allowed them to ... as Jefferson stated, every 20 years or so the citizenry should revolt and throw the pols out and start all over.

Dick | 10:13 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

The entire financial debacle was caused by the total incompetence of the Fed, Congress and the President. As long as voters insist on seeing politics in terms of democratic vs. republican, or left vs. right, liberals vs. conservatives, there is little hope for this country.
When we switch back to seeing politics in terms of liberty vs. power as the early Americans did, then we will have regained the road to peace, freedom and abundance.

BigDaddyDK | 10:26 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Single digit approval ratings = pay raise.
No vote required, so they never actually have to be on the record as supporting their pay increases.
Spend money like it grows on trees, then fleece the taxpayers to cover it.
Get re-elected every two years because the voting public is too thick to do anything about it.

What a country.

Moose of Reason | 10:28 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Why's he the only one fighting the raise up there?

There's gonna be a lot of angry taxpayers if Congress doesn't stop that pay raise.

Mr. M | 10:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

"Political power is merely the organized power of one class opposing another." Always been that way, always will be that way.

Worker | 10:34 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Why should the UAW take a big hit in pay when none of the bankers that were bailed out were asked to get a pay cut? Who is going to buy cars if they haven't any money to spend? Shame on Congress for taking a pay raise in these bad times? As for cutting the workers benefits, Congress men will certainly take their benefits of retirement and pay raises.

Kenneth | 10:37 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I think they should roll them back to $150,000.00 and cut their budget by 10%. That would be a miracle!

0802 | 10:39 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

RE: Cats | 3:29 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I lived in the D.C area with the military. I made about 65k a year at the time. It was a sacrifice but we leased our nice home in Utah, put most of our stuff in storage and rented a small apartment outside D.C. We didn't mind the sacrifice, if you can even call it that. We ate well, lived well, immersed ourselves in our nations history, and generally had a great time. But thats what public SERVICE is about. Serving others not yourself. You put the interests of your fellow man ahead of yours for a few years and then pass the reigns on to someone else.

I understand what John Adams concerns were but he was arguing for something other that a trifle stipend. I would have thought someone with so much government experience would have known this little part of history? Besides, the "pay them a lot or they will become corrupt" argument holds no weight with anyone that can look at the facts objectively.

What this country needs are modestly paid public SERVANTS who only spend a few years in Washington then move on. NO CAREER POLITICIANS!!!

Winston Smith | 10:43 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

SMASH THE NANNY STATE!!! CAPITALISM RULES!!!

Good Job! | 11:00 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Matheson, I didn't vote for you, but I am behind you 100% on this one. Enough money has been spent where it doesn't belong, and it shouldn't go here either.

Any congressman who votes for a pay raise is severely out of touch. I say watch out to the other representatives, we're watching your actions quite closely.

Jim | 11:06 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Apparently Congress is not paid for performance, if they were they should be giving back all they have been paid for the period of time that it took to distroy the economy..Let's start with the exporting of 18 million jobs since 1994 and the housing bubble brought on by forcing banks to make bad loans
leading to the current financial mess.

fooledmeonce | 11:17 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Hmmm.... 9% approval rating - yeah, why not, give them a raise (and let us eat cake)!

Dan O'Connor | 12:18 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

This Congress does NOT deserve a raise, plain and
simple. Let's have a vote and find out what the American people think. Wait a moment, that won't
work, most Americans are more stupid than our
Congress. I know that's hard to except but it is
what it is. Our best bet would be term limits. If
some members of Congress find this hard to except,
they can pack up and go home.
Dan O.

MOOSEBURGER | 12:41 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

PAY RAISE?

THEY SHOULD HAVE A REDUCTION IN PAY AS MUCH AS THE DEFICIT % OF GDP IS AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

AND ALSO GIVE BACK THE PAY FOR ALL THOSE DAYS THEY WERE NOT WORKING.

IT SMELLS LIKE ORWELL'S ANIMAL FARM.

Jack Kennedy | 12:46 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Glad to see someone acting like a conservative, dont care what party he is. Luv all you liberals that want to ignore the fact that the last two years of democrat rule has run the economy into the tank. I could make all of the fact points, but you know them already and they are unassailable, even though you liberals try to spin them, ie. like bwaney fwank and the other crooks taking the fnma bribes.

Anonymous | 1:22 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

You are wasting your Breath--they are not listening ! They are not in it for you. They are only in it for THEMSELVES.

Anonymous | 1:28 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

What is this guy, conservative or democrat? I don't have enough time to read through the comments above to find out. Plus, I don't think that the article ever stated what party this man is from.

Let's spell this out.

Joe | 1:38 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

A pay raise ? To the same group solely responsible for a global meltdown ? What an outrage. There should be investigations as why this happened, if it was a Republican it would be in full swing, but no, we have Chris Dodd, Barney Backdoor Frank,Chuck Schumer and other thugs still doing business as usual. McCain, Bush and others tried for oversight while the 3 democrats mentioned received payoffs. Obama was the third highest paid ( thank you Fannie Mae/Freddy Mac ) in two years time with 106k in donations. Now these people want a raise for screwing us ? These people need to be removed. We need to dismantle ACORN and do earlier term limits. The USSA is going down.

Disgusted | 2:14 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Congress is who got us into this economic mess! And they have the audacity to give themselves yet another raise. Apparently, bailing out overpaid executives of failing companies isn't enough of a burden for taxpayers. We should have thrown them all out in November.

Loretta Heflin | 2:58 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

And they wanted to give the Auto workers a pay cut.

jr | 3:49 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Talk about a Ponzi scheme.

starznbarzcom | 4:05 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

it`s us, WE have allowed this.the school bully will take your lunch money every day - until you bloody his nose - then he stops.got three friends? talk to them, are they paying attention to whats going on? inform them, make them mad, then they go to three friends, etc. put pressure on YOUR local, and national politicians, not just one call or e-mail - one EVERY day. just because you don`t think you can make a difference is NO REASON not to make the effort.you will be surprised, and empowered when you start to get responses from officials that shows they are listening.

Jim Pietrowski | 4:07 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Where the hell is the outrage in this Country?? We should be marching in Washington! The "retirement package" and the amount of time they actually work is really BS! We need more Ron Pauls in Washington! He will not take part in the "Retirement Package" and the "raise'!

Terry Scarborough | 4:20 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Do we really expect any different from a Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi run Congress?

When will the people rise up and storm Capitol Hill and physically throw every member out, and demand a fresh start with people that care about this country.

If you voted for a Democratic Pres. while knowing our Congress is run by the Democrats should have the crap kicked out of them.

Snoop | 4:36 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Probably the worst congress in the history of this great nation rewarded with a pay raise is ridiculous!!!

Czech it out! | 4:35 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

SOLUTION IS SIMPLE: AN AMMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL CAN VOTE THEM SELVES A RAISE ONLY AND ONLY 2 MONTHS OR LESS OF HIS/HERS RE-ELECTION.

Ruth Onkst | 4:38 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

They should be fired and replaced - they failed at their job and now get a pay raise - it's shameful and unethical. Email your political representatives for a vote to stop this madness.

Latch | 4:41 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

It doesn't matter how much the public complains because somehow these arrogant teflon politicians will get their money....one way or the other. It's relieving to know that Reps like Matheson still exist but, he is no Superman...especially in a one sided House and Senate. Good Luck Mr. Matheson. Hope you have a mass support group on this matter.

jim from missouri | 4:52 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

i'm voting against my party over the pay raise.WHAT GALL!!!!!!!!!

John Phillips | 4:54 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

The
goverment has become over oppresive and the time has ome fr a new, stand up and be counted.

Charles | 5:05 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

If the public really starts raising hell maybe something will change. Until then nothing will happen and these fat cats in congress will continue to walk all over us and blame anyone but themselves.

Surf | 5:08 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Congress gets a NSPS raiting of 2.0 rounded down to 1.0. and no shares.

TKO | 5:09 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

The PIGS are always at the trough. oink?

Smorgasbord | 5:17 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

If executives get big bonuses for running their companies into bankruptcy, I guess our politicians should get pay raises for running the USA into bankruptcy.

RufusVonDufus | 5:17 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

How Congress raked the chairman of GM over the coals for the failed policies he instituted at GM but they fail to understand how they have run this country into the ground with their failures at the wheel. Congress is the biggest bunch of dirt bags in the country. They only care about themselves and will do whatever is necessary to promote their own agendas whether they are good for the USA or not. The (WE) American voter deserves everything happening to us since we have not bothered to investigate these very crooked individuals before voting for them and we continue to send them to Washington even after they are proven to have broke the law.

justavoter | 5:25 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Democrats have mocked our president, our troops, and our country for the past eight years. Congress has been controlled by democrats for the past two years. Did they tell you how Carter wrote the laws that started the financial crisis, how Clinton enforced them and how Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Franks, Chuck Schumer and Christopher Dodd, all democrat congressmen, made sure Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac went bankrupt? Did they tell you about the hundreds of thousands of dollars Fannie and Freddie put in their personal pockets? Did you see their investigation on CSPAN? The ones that caused the crisis are the very ones investigating themselves. What a joke. We don't hear much about it because CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, PBS, NY Times, etc. all support the democrat agenda. These millionaire congressmen aren't concerned with a $5,000 raise when they can pocket hundreds of thousands in the name of a trillion dollar stimulus package. Well, after you lose your job maybe you can sit on a bench they paid $100,000 for with your tax dollars in a park named after themselves to help their democrat buddies in states all across the country.

Katy from Texas | 5:28 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I could never understand why each state doesn't set the pay its senators and congressmen will receive, and pay them out of the state treasury. The whole population doesn't vote on all senators and all congressmen. Why should my Texas dollars go to pay your Utah representatives, or your Utah dollars go to pay for California's representatives, or California's to pay for West Virginia, etc etc.

Each state should determine the rate of pay, the benefits package, the per diem living allowance and the travel budget.

In no case should a senator or a congressman be paid more that the governor of his or her state. EVER !! The state representatives aren't paid more.

We need a new party, say a Constitutionl Conservative Party. I say, where is Ron Paul when you need him?

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