9% Unemployment, $14 Trillion In Debt, & No Budget… It’s Bonus Time!
- Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:13am by
Mike Opelka
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Let’s role play a little situation. (Try not to make the obvious comparisons to Congress.)
- Your company is hemorrhaging cash, falling deeper into debt than even your accountants can imagine.
- You choose to INCREASE spending, claiming “ya gotta spend money to make money.”
- You are also so busy arguing with middle management that you can’t find time to make a budget that might get you back on track.
- It appears that your job is about to be eliminated.
- There is only one thing left to do – give bonuses to as many employees as possible!
Here’s the assignment — explain your actions to shareholders. They are especially interested in hearing your thought process on the bonuses.
If the exercise seems to be too far removed from reality and you might argue that it is a waste of time, think again. This is exactly what happened in Congress last year. House members, both Democrats and Republicans, paid large bonuses to staff members.
Richard Simon of the Los Angeles Times reports:
Even as deep federal budget cuts loomed at the end of last year, members of Congress from both parties paid taxpayer-funded bonuses to their staffs.
Overall, House members spent about $21.5 million more on their office payrolls for the fourth quarter of 2010, when bonuses are traditionally paid, than they spent for the average of the three previous quarters, according to LegiStorm, a Washington group that tracks congressional pay.
Defeated and retiring lawmakers paid an average bonus of about $4,000. Returning lawmakers paid an average $2,300, the group found.
Representatives contacted for the story vigorously defended the payment of bonuses, some with curious logic. Consider the thoughts of California Congressman Mike Honda:
“Recruiting quality staff for quality constituent services is difficult enough given limited resources,” said Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose), who paid an average bonus of about $3,700. “Skimp on salaries further and you will skimp on constituent services, to the detriment of the district.”
Among the 53 member of the California Congressional delegation, Honda was not alone as the staff of 20 California Congressional offices we paid bonuses. Meanwhile, the state of California faced a similar budget crisis as the country, but the governor did not pay bonuses, opting instead to furlough employees. The Furlough Friday Program cost workers an average of 18 paid days in both 2009 and 2010.
As another example of just how oblivious Congress seems to be to the dire reality of our financial crisis, is it any wonder that voters have such a low opinion of elected officials? A recent Rasmussen Poll shows a whopping 9% of voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, and 50% rate Congressional job performance as “poor.”
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Comments (114)
VRW Conspirator
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:08amhey…don’t worry…it is only $4000….these staffers make an average of $113,000…what is another $4000….(please forgive the sarcasm) come on…the average Federal Employee makes $71000 compared to the average private sector employee that makes $51000….
if the CA employees are taking 18 days with no pay…and the average CA teacher is taking 6-7 days with no pay…to balance budgets…then maybe we need to drop Federal salaries to mirror the average private salaries first…and then make them take furlough days as well…
there are over 400,000 Federal employees…if we cut their salary to the average private…that would be a savings of $20,000 per employee or about $4 BILLION a year plus the reduction in the payments to their retirement programs and unemployment insurance and disability insurance… I bet we could save about $5 BILLION a year in “readjustments” to Federal pay scales..that is 200 times the ACTUALLY cuts that Boehner and Obama and Reid agreed to two months ago…
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:10amsorry…savings would be $8 BILLION….400,000 times 20,000 is $8 Billion…math brain fart…with other savings…about $10 BILLION probably….
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 12:46pmThat is what they have been doing since the 70′s. Carter got rid of collective bargaining, Regan got rid of the retirement system that gave employees 56% of their high 3 years and the employees only contributed about 100 to 200k…there were more employees than there are today…why?
Regan asked that they contract out 50% of DOD services that were conducted within the government. And no one was watching the metric till about 1997 or so and when asked the DOD had exceeded the goal by mucho…
And that left DOD with only those who are responsible for contracting out. Therefor for DOD you will see a higher average dollar amount.
Now today Obama wants to bring in people and cut the contracts which will reduce the size of the average annual income..
Screwy eh? You betcha…it is called the whipping post….
And the REP proposal is to reduce the feds (all agencies finally) annual income by about 22 % over the course of 5 years and that they contribute to one of the 4 ret funds in FERS from 0.8% to about 6%.
Forget about the dod hammer cost, toilet seat cost and mr coffee pot cost…it’s nothing when you think about DOD doing everything with no one…it’s out of control.
The cost of labor for a contractor includes other factors such as OH, G&A and profit…your costs actually go up when contracting out necessary services. No one contested it. No one discusses it.
Report Post »Bushie
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:00amYou want to know where terrorist are, look no further then Washington and obama is their lead guy.
Report Post »Ken
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:59amSo much for budget cuts!!! If they “insist” on paying bonuses, pay them from your personal salary, NOT our taxpayer $!!!
Report Post »RustyElbows
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:56amNo news here…… just move along.
Report Post »GERATMO
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:53amWhat a terrific job your doing Washington! Keep up the good work.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:38amJust when you think the tax payer can’t get screw anymore something else comes out. The hits just keep on coming.
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:37am9% unemployment? No way. It is much higher and we all know it.
Report Post »psst
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:36am9% unemployment?
Report Post »I’m sick and tired of hearing about 9%. That‘s a figment of someone’s imagination.
It’s a hell of a lot higher.
As for bonuses for Congressional staff. Congress knows what they are doing.
Don’t believe all the scary stories about a debt crisis.
US have lots of $$. Trust me on this.Didn’t you hear the union bosses tell the rank and file US is awashed in munny?
I have 50 trees on my property. I live on 2 acres. many other citizens also have trees on their properties.
And look at all the government lands. Millions of trees.
Aina’t gonna be no shortage of paper.
hey! if we start runing out of ink, the government will print $$ bills on one side only.
All this debt is only paper. In fact, the $$ in debt are not even worth the price of the paper.
jumbles
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:01amHow do you know it’s higher than 9% Why are you not at work at your high paid economists desk?Your’e probably on food stamps
Report Post »santramir
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:34amstupid, blind and deff america, it is not merely the chief, it is the staff. long live lady gaga’s fans
Report Post »FREDINOHIO
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:33amWe can only hope that “We the People” remember this and all the other things done by our elected officials that contribute to our nations declining financial situation at election time. It is past time for us to start electing people with common sense and without a political agenda contrary to what is good for America.
Report Post »powhatan
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:28amThat was so they don’t go union……congress does not want to have to deal with that….jokes on us…again…
Report Post »standuppeople
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:26amI believe it was Edward R. Murrow who said “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
Report Post »rienheart
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:26amThere is a Paper Trail and when True Americans who believe in the Constitution get elected to Office and we Have a President and DOJ who believe in the Rule Of Law then their will be an Accounting and Prison time for all those Traitors. Oh Wait… There will be NO MORE HONEST ELECTIONS, only Fraud, Deceit, voter intimidation, Main Stream Media Bias and Propaganda. Meet your NEW BOSS, SAME AS THE OLD BOSS.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:23amEvery TAX PAYER has a $140,000,000 federal tax debt hanging over his/her head today, and it is growing moment by moment. They like to spread that amount to every man woman and child to make it sound like less but it is not paid by every legal and illegal man woman and child. We have gone over the edge, we will soon hit bottom. Are you ready?
Report Post »conversationcanwork
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:21amSome from both sides are corrupt, that’s nothing new.
Report Post »Coffeehead
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 12:00pmOh yes…I’m fair minded….both sides are equally bad at spending money we don’t have. CRAP. Stop the fair talk. Liberal Democrats have spent us (dragging foolish RINO’s with them) into a pit.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:21amWhat’s really appalling is the “retiring lawmakers” granting higher bonuses, because they know they won’t face any backlash. Just another indication of the caliber of our elected officials.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:20amWell maybe they will go out and spend all that money…who knows.
At 62 years old, I just got a job, AGAIN. There are plenty of low level entry jobs…
Report Post »Goldline_scam
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:43amI’ll supersize, that – thanks!
Report Post »jumbles
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:52amNo pickle on mine!
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:10amNo problemo, I am here to serve you…:twothumbsup:
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:13amOH, and for my part…I’ll pay my taxes so you bloody freeloaders can live. And I will pull down TWO retirements in less than 1 year. Got one already, going for the other cause people no longer want a pay check. It’s called an opportunity.
I spend so you can live.
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:18am9 % approval rate…
Report Post »It is time to rid ourselves of these thieves.
swehes
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:18amWhen will they learn? They are there to do the work. Not all those people they are employing on our dime.
Report Post »nacilbuper
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:18amYou can’t make this stuff up.
Report Post »saviorammo
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:18amThey ALL most go and harshly!
Let’s go get our money back with interest from any and all who steal and rape our once great country.
This is really about to heat up soon!
Report Post »Goldline_scam
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:42amThis is SO wasteful. We need all that money to plow into the military – so that we can continue to invade countries that are no threat to us … and kill as many innocent civilians as possible.
America baby! We’re number 1!!
Report Post »Locked
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:18amThis is outrageous. Raises for the government employees should be based on economic growth. Bonuses don’t seem to have any place. Which I suppose the economy is growing, at a small percent – I’m fine with employees keeping up with that. But bonuses? Ugh.
It’s almost as revolting as companies receiving bailouts giving bonuses, or large companies not paying taxes.
Report Post »Brejamin
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 12:03pmObama and congress took away most of the reelistment bonuses for the military, but give themselves more money kinda backwards if you ask me.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:58pm@Locked
When you say “revolting as large companies not paying taxes”, I assume you are referring to the owners of said comanies paying their personal income taxes?
Because we both know that companies, or corporations do not really pay taxes. Any taxes they pay are offset by the cost of their goods or services. And we, the consumers actually pay for it in the end. Right?
Report Post »kindling
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:16amIt is not $14 trillion, that is not counting future Social Security and all the other future payouts we are not yet paying interest on yet. The true debt is closer to $104 trillion.
Report Post »psst
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:26amInk-Ink-Ink
Report Post »You are correct.
But what da hey! 104 tril. A drop in the bucket.Don’t sweat it.
US is awashed in munny. US still have billions, maybe even trillions of trees.
Now if we run out of Ink.That would be a real crisis.
vennoye
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:39amIt is going to be interesting to watch these people when the house of cards they have built falls…….
Report Post »The federal govt is already “borrowing” from their retirement fund to extend having to vote on the debt ceiling. So, in a few years–no money to pay salaries, no money left in retirement accounts. Bright future!!!
Jenny Lind
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:16amWell hell, it wasn’t coming out of their pockets, was it.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:16amThe shameful know who they are and there are no excuses. Let’s be sure to name names and show their shame.
Report Post »D0ntTread0nMe
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:23amSon of a… you know what? I kinda figured they were doing it… but seeing it in print is just so darn disappointing! I don’t know, is it me, or do these “staffers” seem to be 3/4 of the problem?
Report Post »http://www.mythoughtsfromthemiddle.blogspot.com
Susan Harkins
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:25am“Defeated and retiring lawmakers paid an average bonus of about $4,000. Returning lawmakers paid an average $2,300, the group found.”
Its only beans…
… in a couple of years, that wont even buy them a loaf of bread!
:-)
Report Post »larman
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:26amWe let them get away with it.
Report Post »http://www.thepathwaytofreedom.com
hauschild
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:35am“Skimp on salaries further and you will skimp on constituent services, to the detriment of the district.”
Classic! These losers actually believe what they do is beneficial to the country. What a complete farce! Government workers are essentially worthless, meaning life would go on without them. Actually, life would be better without them; fewer salaries to pay, fewer ridiculously lavish pensions to pay as well as health care for 30-40 years, yada. If these people actually produced something that was more valuable than what they were compensated, now that‘s the idea of capitalism and that’s why we currently have such a high standard of living.
I just can’t believe educated people can be this stupid, which then means they must be deceitful.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:37amThe ship is sinking! Grab all the gold candlesticks you can carry!
Need a job? Fire Obama!
Report Post »Hey Hey… Ho Ho… Barack Obama has got to GO!
FreedomFighter2006
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:53amGet out of debt now… When everything collapses, how are you going to pay it off? I don‘t know what’s going to happen but logic says, “If the financial system collapses and the dollar is worth next to nothing, you’ll have to pay it off somehow. If your money is worth nothing then what do you have left??? Labor?” I don’t have all the answers but these are questions that need to be thought about.
Proverbs 22:7 (New International Version)
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Report Post »i want the truth
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:53amObama is doing a great job FREELOADING in the WH. Where is his next trip? Any more great stimulas projects heating up?
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:56amWhen will they go into “secret session” and give themselves raises again?
Report Post »BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:06amListen to BJColter-It’s time to revolt against the tyranny of these modern royals who have usurped our Constitution. THROW THEM OUT. JOIN THE REVOLUTION! Here’s our theme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXvRDmM5Zx4
Report Post »jeffyfreezone
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:17amThis makes my blood boil!
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:40amReal unemployment numbers are 3 times what’s reported.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 11:41am“larman
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 10:26am
We let them get away with it.”
We didn’t know about it at the time. If I had known, I would have contacted my rep.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 12:13pmThe political class sicken me.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 12:27pmLET’S SEE HOW MANY NEWS OUTLETS REPORT THIS ONE….
Report Post »We the American tax payers are struggling harder than ever to make ends meet and government workers who salaries and bonuses are paid from our sweat are getting raises and bonuses.
I personally took a 5,000 hit in my salary and saw my cost of living rise by 18%…WTF
Washington has out lived it’s service to the people it has become a tyrannical authoritarian behemoth in size and need dire need of a very real beatdown. The system is so corrupt I don’t think it can salvage and the main stream media hlds as much blame as the very real corrupt politician.
The media bias has allowed this to happen by not doing it’s job and inmstead of using the first amendment to serve the people and bring the truth to light. It has used our front line of defense to help acclimate an enviroment that enables and fosters the tyrrant.
You ever wonder why the first amendment is free speach and the 2cd the right to bare arms. When the 1st amenment fails the people the people have an option.
The first amenment is failing the people by having it co-opted has a government propaganda machine.
How long will it before Washington stops hearing the snake’s rattle and starts feeling the bite.
drbage
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 12:29pmUnlike Bibi, I don’t think that the majority of the members of Congress realize that there is a REAL world outside of the Beltway.
Report Post »coladude
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 12:30pmLike they have always done. Ignored the problems.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 1:16pmThey need to be in prison .. not getting bonuses ..
Report Post »VegasGuy
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 1:36pmThis story reminds me of my first TEA Party sign: Rewarding failure only gets you more failure.
Report Post »DavidD
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 1:38pmWhat “constituent services”? You mean seizing every opportunity to destroy my freedom and taxing more of my earnings by force so the Takers can consume it?
Plenty of times when I contact a representative, their contact form doesn’t work right or the email bounces. And then there‘s the copy and paste form letter responses that beat around the bush but don’t respond to the issue. So surely they weren’t referring to those services, it can’t get much worse.
Report Post »Code_Orange
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 2:27pmI can tell from this collection of comments that the majority of people on this thread do not understand how hard staffers work to accomplish John Boehner‘s and Paul Ryan’s agendas. Like it or not, you act like the staffers are calling the shots! They work very hard and are better patriots than many others by their social contributions.
Report Post »CutThePuppetStrings
Posted on May 25, 2011 at 8:44pmName names…Expose all of the cockroaches in washington!
Report Post »HairOfTheDogSob
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 3:16amEvery single politician….WORTHLESS COWARDS…
Report Post »jackrorabbit
Posted on May 26, 2011 at 10:46amShame? HA HA HA HA, they have no shame. Outside of the new players, I bet there are 10 on the hill that actually care what the public thinks, outside of election time.
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