‘Royal’ Congress ignores ‘peasantry’
As Americans bemoan the “fiscal cliff” and the potential ramifications of a resulting compromise, our major concerns center around what each person is willing to sacrifice for the nation. Regrettably, congressional royalty remains silent about its sacrifices for the nation.
What is the longterm fiscal cost for lifelong payment after serving in Congress for a few years? Why have its members not joined the American people and accepted the Social Security and Medicare plans serving the nation? Do members of Congress have the same retirement programs and are they subject to the same legal regulations as the majority? Unfortunately, we will probably never know the full extent of the privileges and extra-legal benefits deemed essential to their careers in Congress. Sadly, Article 1, section 6 of the U.S. Constitution permits the legislative branch to determine the amount and extent of its pay increases. Ask your congressman to respond to the above questions and provide specifics.
Congressional posturing for the “people’s business” cloaks a lack of concern for the “peasantry” (us) by the lords of the manor (Congress). At no time during debates over the financial crisis has any member of Congress sincerely defended his or her constituency, the people. As the nobility assemble to discuss the state of the realm, it ignores the health of the nation. The graying of American is upon us, and we are faced with financial obligations due all Americans, unless we subscribe to the dystopian conditions mentioned in the movie “Logan’s Run.”
“Credit card” Bush II’s fiscal policies ( 54 percent increases in spending) relative to the tax cuts, the war in Iraq and “loop holes” created a situation where the United States borrows approximately $4 billion every day. Apolitical members of Congress must assist the majority of Americans by providing funds to pay our debts and putting people to work, despite party discipline and ideologues: spend money and provide jobs in America.
— Arthur Steinberg
Salisbury