Wednesday, December 4, 2013

239 Days & Counting

 
 
It was all over the airwaves last night.  By the end of this year, Congress will have worked a total of 126 days and taken 239 days of vacation.  Or as Kenneth D. Ackerman puts it,

"What's the best job on earth? Why, of course, to be a Member of the United States Congress."   Huffington Post 12/03/12
Mr. Ackerman cites the average Congressional salary is $174,000 with the Speak of the House receiving $223,500.

I can only imagine how this sits with the public who are, as was I, just waking up to the real hard facts of what these people do not do. 

Mr. Ackerman wrote the above quoted blog exactly one year ago.  This was at the beginning of what will turn out to be, according to the Boston Globe 12/04/2013,
 "...the least productive crop of legislators in modern history."
That same Globe article states Congress has passed only 55 bills, spent only 36 hours per week in session, averaging one bill per week. 

I don't know about you but I'm thinking of running for Congress.
 
 
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14 comments:

injaynesworld said...

Freakin' outrageous! And yet, where is the outrage? You'd think people would be throwing stones at them in the streets. And then they get their salaries even after they're no longer in Congress!

Well, now I just need a drink!

Bill Lisleman said...

Don't know if you ever watched any of the "Uncle Jay Explains the News" clips. My favorite was one about the congressional calendar. I learned that almost every Monday and Friday are off as "travel" days. Almost continuous 4 day weekends.
What bothers me the most is that they spend a vast majority of their time raising funds for their next election.

troutbirder said...

Mark Twain said it best. "I'm an idiot. I'm a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." :)

California Girl said...

Jayne: have one for me. make that two.

California Girl said...

Bill, I've never heard of Uncle Jay, I don't think. Now I have something new to enjoy. If it weren't for the laughter, most of us would be contemplating ways of killing ourselves or the MOC.

California Girl said...

troutbirder: I used to rotate Twain & Will Rogers quotes on this blog. They are still, sadly, pertinent which just goes to show that old adage is true.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

will said...

... but they do keep DC tailors, restaurants, bars and late night motels busy.

NanaHood said...

What a great idea. I would love to have a job like that! Love your blog and so glad I found it (via Grandma's Briefs)
Going to connect with you on whatever social media outlets you have and would be honored if you would do the same!

Teresa
www.nanahood.com

California Girl said...

Bill S: what kills me is they are making this big deal over passing the budget bill to keep us from another sequester situation. They act as if this is progress when, really, it's about saving their necks with the public (in the polls) and getting outta DC in time for the holidays.

California Girl said...

Teresa, Welcome and thank you very much. I don't have any other social media sites, i.e. Facebook. Twitter, etc. This is all I can handle and I'm slowing down a bit with it! That said, thanks for recognizing the blog and I'll head over your way too.

Cperz said...

I am so behind in reading posts I should be ashamed...but actually doesn't that show what a great Congressperson I would be. Inefficient and unable to use my time effectively...yes, who wouldn't want that in an employee?

California Girl said...

hahahahaha Cheryl! Yes it does.

juliemcc said...

Government; like education, religion, finance, and real estate (the Big Five as I have named them) is simply another manifestation of white male privilege. Why are we shocked? Even being mildly surprised is a waste of energy. -Julie (little heart icon goes here)

California Girl said...

Thanks Julie! I appreciate your commentary. My inclination is to agree and, with so little female representation in our houses of Congress, it is difficult to disprove your theory.

Christina

Christina
by Cole Scott