Shouldn't we make our elected officials a lot less Comfortable?
Congressional Perks: How the Trappings of Office Trap Taxpayers
by Peter J. Sepp
Since the founding of the Republic, Americans have had a healthy skepticism of the concentration of power. The Framers of the Constitution established a system they hoped would prevent not only the disproportionate accumulation of influence in one branch of government, but also the disproportionate accumulation of privilege.
Today, Members of the United States Congress enjoy a vast web of perquisites that benefit them personally as well as professionally, including:
Comfortable salaries that are often determined through legislative sleight-of-hand. Contrary to the arguments of many Washington "insiders," the cost of living has rarely eroded the historical value of lawmakers' pay, which on a constant-dollar basis is hovering near the postwar high.
Pension benefits that are two to three times more generous than those offered in the private sector for similarly-salaried executives. Taxpayers directly cover at least 80 percent of this costly plan. Congressional pensions are also inflation-protected, a feature that fewer than 1 in 10 private plans offer.
Health and life insurance, approximately 3/4 and 1/3 of whose costs, respectively, are subsidized by taxpayers.
Wheeled perks, including limousines for senior Members, prized parking spaces on Capitol Hill, and choice spots at Washington's two major airports.
Travel to far-flung destinations as well as to home states and districts. Despite recent attempts to toughen gift and travel rules, "junkets" are still readily available prerogatives for many Members.
A wide range of smaller perks that have defied reform efforts, from cut-rate health clubs to fine furnishings.
But the very nature of public office itself demands a more comprehensive definition of a "perk" than that normally applied to corporate America. Members of Congress can also wield official powers that allow them to continue to enjoy the personal benefits outlined above, such as:
The franking privilege, which gives lawmakers millions in tax dollars to create a favorable public image. Experts across the political spectrum have labeled the frank as an unfair electioneering tool. In past election cycles, Congressional incumbents have spent as much on franking alone as challengers have spent on their entire campaigns.
An office staff that performs "constituent services" and doles out pork-barrel spending, providing more opportunities for "favors" that can be returned only at election time.
Exemptions and immunities from tax, pension, and other laws that burden private citizens -- all crafted by lawmakers themselves.
Congressional pay and perks directly add hundreds of millions of dollars to the yearly bill that Americans are forced to pay for the federal government -- a significant cost for taxpayers, even if pundits dismiss the amount as a "drop in the bucket." Yet, beyond the basic issue of dollars and cents, Congress's perks have other pernicious effects. They distort the budget process, by diminishing lawmakers' moral authority to say "no" to special interest spending requests and benefit boosts for other government officials. They distort the electoral process, by tilting the playing field against challengers. Most importantly, they undercut efforts for long-term economic and budget reform, by insulating Members from the real-world effects of their own policies.
American taxpayers and American government would be better served by benefits for Members of Congress that look more like incentives than perks. Enactment of proposals for a defined-contribution pension plan, a scaled-back franking privilege, a pay level tied to government efficiency, and a term-limit Constitutional amendment would help to restore balance to a system plagued by the trappings of office.
http://www.ntu.org/main/press.php?PressID=343
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Keep in mind this was written in 2001. We all know it's only gotten worse......
mike
So this is what the GOP is trying to protect.That means they would have to be like us yep regular people , they cant have that now can they?
suthrnlyts
And just one of many reasons why we need to get rid of these career politicians and replace them with those who are willing to serve their constituency based on term limits without these endless perks.
They're fat, they're happy, they're power-hungry and they've got it made... And like idiots, we keep reelecting them.
Mary
Republican, Democrate, liberal, conservative - NEVER vote for an incumbent.
Yet, we keep re-electing the same crooks, year after year.
When will we learn?
ChiIrishGrl
We have made politics a VERY profitable business and they are only the fat cats that we have allowed. Complacency is our biggest enemy. these men and women who are supposed to represent our collective will only do to us what we have allowed them to. The founding fathers snapped off for tea taxes and our leaders for at lest the last 30 yrs have continually screwed us over.
Micheala3-#1 Fan of WDPLM?3
Less comfortable and more accountable.
Indeed, taxpayers shoulder everything including their personal white house entertainment.
Congress subsidizes pay raises to "business expenses".
It's ridiculous. Just who are they kidding?!
GET THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR PERSONAL LIVES AND POCKETBOOKS!
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