Our "Privileged Class" Makes Sure They Get All The Benefits And Make Us Pay For Them

The following story ought to make every tax paying citizen of the United States wonder what is going on in Washington.  These spoiled, over-indulged "representatives" are using tax payers dollars to purchase first class airfare and luxury automobiles.  What is the bloody heck is going on here.

We thought that these were public servants rather than hogs feeding at the trough. Well, it appears we are wrong.  How many other benefits have they granted themselves for which we are paying?

We already know they get a decent salary,  great retirement plans (after five years) and that their health care is the best money can buy and they are eligible for subsidies. They also get free office expense, an office personnel benefit and g-d knows what else.

These are NOT public servants. No wonder they can go to Washington relatively financially modest and return as multi millionaires!  We  paid their way to prosperity!

In the following link (http://blogs.rollcall.com/hill-blotter/hastings-members-of-congress-need-a-pay-raise/) Alcee Hastings complains that his $174,000 salary is not enough pay for Congress members.  If you want to hear an out of touch congressman, Alcee is your guy!  If things are so bad in Washington, why doesn't he just quit his job and go back home!

However, the story about allowing our "representatives" to purchase first class airfares at our expense gets our goat on a couple levels. First, should not the expense of getting to Washington  be the cost of being a Congressman/woman? They ran for the office and knew that they had to go to D.C.  Why should we pay for that? It would be like telling your employer that you live "X" miles from work and he will be expected to either provide you with a car or pay for someone to pick you up. Sounds silly doesn't it.

 Secondly, why should these public servants be treated like royalty? You know if there is a  choice between a coach and first class, they are going to opt for the latter while we sit in back paying for their way! They are supposed to be our "representatives", yet it appears as if they feel we are their servants and not the other way around.

One can only imagine what other benefits that Congress has voted themselves. Maybe it is time to set up an exploratory campaign to get ourselves elected.  Anyone want to support us?

Conservative Tom

GOP leaders deny vote on banning first-class airfare for lawmakers

By Cristina Marcos

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A proposal to ban members of Congress from using federal funds to buy first-class airfare won't get a vote on the House floor.

Reps. Rod Blum (R-Iowa), Gwen Graham (D-Fla.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) had filed an amendment to the annual appropriations bill for legislative branch operations that would forbid lawmakers from purchasing luxury airfare accommodations on taxpayers' tab with no exceptions.

But the House Rules Committee, which acts as an arm of leadership and decides how legislation is considered on the floor, didn't grant their amendment a vote.

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The House will vote Tuesday afternoon on the $3.3 billion legislative branch appropriations bill, which maintains a pay freeze on lawmakers' salaries in place since 2010.

During Monday's House Rules Committee hearing, Democrats questioned whether a ban on members of Congress flying first-class was truly practical.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) asked if the ban would apply if a lawmaker was bumped up to first class due to frequent flier points at no extra cost. (It would not.) The Massachusetts Democrat denied the suggestion that members of Congress frequently enjoy posh first-class seating arrangements as they travel back and forth between their districts and Washington.

"I don't think members are going around buying first-class tickets," McGovern said. "I just don't think it's a problem."

Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) asked Blum what motivated him to craft the measure banning first-class airfare.

Blum, a first-term lawmaker, said he heard complaints about it from constituents while campaigning in his district last year.

"I heard about it numerous times on the campaign trail from citizens," Blum said. "I think it would send a great message to working families that are hurting that we share empathy for their situation by doing this."

Hastings posed a hypothetical of a lawmaker being forced to choose between flying first-class on a booked fight with no more coach seats available or missing votes at the Capitol.

"I'd say take the next flight," Blum said.

"And miss the votes they were required to undertake here?" Hastings asked.

"If need be, yes," Blum said.

Multiple lawmakers have introduced bills to prevent fellow members of Congress from buying first-class airfare for themselves with federal funds.

Graham, with Blum as a co-sponsor, introduced legislation earlier this year to ban lawmakers from using taxpayer funds for first-class airfare. Her bill would also prohibit members of Congress from using taxpayer funds for long-term car leases for personal use.

Gosar also crafted a bill this month titled the Coach-Only Airfare for Capitol Hill (COACH) Act. However, Gosar's measure would allow exceptions to accommodate disabilities or other medical needs.

Blum and Graham are two top targets heading into the 2016 election.