That huge sucking sound in DC comes from taxes going down the drain of Congressional legislators’ entitlements for the same people who brought us “shared sacrifice,” “deficit anger,” “privatizing Medicare and SS,” “union busting,” and "the evils of big government." Boehner, Cantor, and McConnell have collectively lived well for 59 years on the public dole; between them, they earn (officially!) close to a million a year with priceless perks and benefits. Where is their “shared sacrifice”? What are they doing personally to limit big government and lower the debt? Apparently nothing. Follow below for the minimum 2010 benefits for Congressional members:
Salaries that they themselves determine, to include annual “adjustment” for cost of living;
Health and life insurance generously subsidized;
Pensions with tax breaks (a perk they voted for themselves) and other tax breaks that ordinary citizens do not have;
Free DC parking (senior members get limousines);
Office and staff allowances as well as lavish office furnishings;
An on site health club;
Travel both to and from their home states and on junkets abroad;
“Franking” privileges that are apparently worth a fortune to them (I wouldn't know, I've never franked);
And, perhaps most importantly, guaranteed jobs for at least a few years,
if not for life.
Congressional salaries have kept up with the cost of living owing to annual raises that they voted for themselves (and these a…holes have the nerve to attack collective bargaining for working folks). Last year, rank and file members earned $174K; majority leaders, $193,400; Speaker $223,000- not outrageous as senior administrators go but the indirect benefits of power and prestige are considerably more: membership in the best golf clubs, use of private jets, kids in elite private schools, free meals, paid speaking engagements and, for many, profits from lobbying and inside information. Should they decide to exit the gravy train, they can count on lucrative consulting jobs, paid board memberships, inside deals, and maybe even a book contract or two.
(There are many sites with information about Congressional Perks but I got my data primarily from The Capitol and
U.S.Govinfo)