Yes, I have to say, being a member of our own US Congress has GOT to be the cushiest, most over-paid, vacation- and benefits-laden job in the nation, at least, if not the world.
I've been thinking this week about Congress since they are, yet again, about to go on "recess."
A seven week recess, no less.
What's a recess, you ask? We don't have those at my work.
Why, that's what you call vacation when you're otherwise too embarrassed to be going on yet another. And the great thing is, like your own pay raises, you give them to yourself!
Herewith is a list--partial, I'm sure--of just why being a Congressional representative, House or Senate, has got to be one of the best, if not the best job in the world.
As said above, you create and give yourself, both your own pay raises.
Congress Votes Itself a Pay Raise
Even if things are going badly for the nation, for your constituents, you can give yourself a pay raise. Hey, whatta' they gonna' do?Economy Worsens, Congress Gives Itself a Raise
You create and give yourself your own vacations, as mentioned above.
Worst Congress Ever: House Republicans Refuse To Vote But Give Themselves More Vacation Days
How many days vacation this year, 2016, you ask?Congress: No Paid Leave For You, 255 Paid Days Off For Us
To put all those vacation days in perspective:Here's How Much Less Congress Works
Than You
Name recognition gets you re-elected, usually for as long as you want the job. And why wouldn't you?
People hate Congress. But most
incumbents get re-elected
Never Underestimate The Value of
Name Recognition
The Power of Incumbency
If you're already in Congress, it's easier, far easier, to get campaign contributions.
91% of the time the better-financed
candidate wins
You have a FANTASTIC pension plan. And again, you created it yourself and gave it to yourself.
How Your Retirement Package Compares
to Members of Congress
You have a great paycheck, of course.
Congressman's Lament: $174,000 Isn't Enough To Make Ends Meet
You have an expense account. And like your vacations that have another name, you call it something else.
What is FRANKING PRIVILEGE?
Insider trading is 100% legal for members of Congress, and they refuse to pass a law that would change that. Naturally.
Congress Quickly And Quietly Rolls Back Insider Trading for itself
At this point, more than half of those “serving the American people” in Congress are millionaires.
Get elected to Congress and get rich: study
BEYOND INSIDER TRADING: Here's How
Members Of Congress Get Rich Off Earmarks
5 ways members of Congress became
very, very rich
In 2010, the federal government spent $33,387 on the hair care needs of U.S. Senators.In 2010, U.S. Senators pulled $72,370 out of the “Senate Restaurant Fund”.
In 2010, U.S. Senators took $166,673 out of something called the “Senate Gift Shop Revolving Fund”.
Basically, let's face it, you're above the law.
Congress exempts itself
from liability for criminal acts
Finally, amazingly, really, for all the pay and recognition and benefits, you don't really even have to do your job.
Congress is a dysfunctional mess. Here’s why you should want to work there anyway
Our US Congress.
What's not to love?
