What is your perspective on the pay/benefits that the suits on Capitol Hill receive? Too much? Not enough?

2014-06-13T20:34:32-04:00

Every other day it seems that I either read about or hear on the news about another "possible" cut to our hard earned benefits. Is it possible that our government actually feels/considers our pay/benefits outweigh the amount of strain on our budget than theirs?? As a Msgt in the US Air Force my annual pay at the end of 2012 was roughly $62k if that much even with added benefits. After retirement, I am now fortunate to get a quarter of that after uncle sugar takes his cut. So, unless my math is just as bad, I don't see it nearly close to what our congressman, senators and other high level politicians are pulling in now even after retirement. Please don't get me wrong folks, I respect our elected officials. I just don't feel they have a firm grasp on math much less reality. Just a thought from an aging/concerned veteran.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 8:35 PM

2014-06-13T20:35:43-04:00

Overpaid and definitely under worked.

Response by MSgt Ediberto L. made Jun 13 at 2014 9:25 PM

2014-06-13T21:25:27-04:00

Please correct me if I am mistaken here folks however I have yet to hear anyone on capitol hill say they would be willing to consider a percentage cut in pay while they are discussing cutting everyone elses. From my perspective on things political, considering the 6 figure salaries they are making with perks at our expense(tax payer dollars) they need to be the first ones to step up to the plate and prove they are willing to endure hardships along with the people that were responsible for putting them into power. I am no math wiz but It just makes sense to me that if you are going to cut the "excess" to save money in a budget you would start by doing a good financial analysis on items that are eating up most of your budget. Don't get me wrong folks, not saying these folks should not get paid for what they do, and sometimes don't do, but if feel that if they want the country to get behind their decisions they should lead by example and be the first ones to take cuts in their wallets. Not that it would hurt most of them anyway. Some of these folks come from very wealthy families and it would not hurt them in the least to go without a full salary for a while in order to take a stab at our countries ever growing deficit. The presidents pay listed below for starters. On top of the $450K/yr, The President receives a $50,000 non-taxable expense account. The compensation of the President is controlled by law, specifically 3 USC 102 ("Compensation of the President", Title 3, Section 102, of the US Code). Among other perks at tax payers expense.

Compensation of the President – The estimated FY 2014 requirement is $450,000 which represents no change from the FY 2012 enacted budget level! Is the life time security detail included in that figure? Check it out at the site pasted below.

http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

Salaries & Wages

OPM provides policy leadership and expertise on a variety of Governmentwide pay programs for Federal employees, including the General Schedule, Law Enforcement Officer Pay Schedules, and the Federal Wage System.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-06-29T15:03:14-04:00

If you want more $$ run for office not for PT. And you get to keep your mil retired pay! Otherwise, people who do hard labor of any type--hands on equipment or boots on the ground--always seem to get paid less than most elected federal officials whether we are at McBurger or McAirForce. We'd be happy if Congress labored harder on our behalf or even were paid only when Congress was in session as we believe was originally intended. We seem to be fine within the military system that has a pay structure on a lower scale. That is, an E-7 has lower promo selection rates and lower pay than an 0-5, even when both people have college degrees. And an E-1, of course, makes far, far, less. It is the way of things in status and tenure system. Risking your life in a war zone is indeed far more dangerous than risking our lives in the beltway, except perhaps, at rush hour. Higher pay for risk and responsibility will never be enough. Whether in or out of uniform, is there not a point where we cannot and should not pay for patriotism?

Response by SFC Jeremy Stocker made Jul 13 at 2015 4:43 PM

2015-07-13T16:43:30-04:00

Desertion is such a dispicable crime I do not believe that a few year in prison is enough. The loss of life, limb, and sanity suffered while doing the right thing will effect us and our families left behind forever, Just a slap on the wrist is hardly enough. I bet that he won't own a mirror for some time.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Jul 16 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-07-16T14:56:42-04:00

Well they were never constitutionally authorized to give themselves a raise, a retirement, life time secret service protection, medical benefits, etc etc; however we trusted them and failed to purge them out before they figured out how to screw the taxpayers money and circumnavigate the constitution