Government FOR the People
Posted: Monday, July 11, 2011
by Michele Winslow
The Cooks Kiosk
I’m sure when the “founding” fathers, or "good ole boy" network, set up our government, they did not intend it to become a government of “Politicians for Big Business,” instead of by the people and for the people.
Please, don’t get me wrong, I love my country. But, in my opinion, certain things have gotten out of hand.
When a senator or state rep leaves office, or voted out of office, all the benefits he had as a senator or representative, he continues to receive the following.
According to the “Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress, updated February 2007”
· The 1983 amendments to the Social Security Act (P.L. 98-21) required federal employees first hired after 1983 to participate in Social Security. These amendments also required all Members of Congress to participate in Social Security as of January 1, 1984, regardless of when they first entered Congress. Because the CSRS was not designed to coordinate with Social Security, Congress directed the development of a new retirement plan for federal workers.
· The result was the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-335).
Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this coverage. Those who already were in Congress when Social Security coverage went into effect could either remain in CSRS or change their coverage to FERS. Members are now covered under one of four different retirement arrangements:
1. Full coverage under both CSRS and Social Security;
2. The “CSRS Offset” plan, which includes both CSRS and Social Security, but with CSRS contributions and benefits reduced by Social Security contributions and benefits;
3. FERS plus Social Security; or
4. Social Security alone.
· Congressional pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions. All Members pay Social Security payroll taxes equal to 6.2% of the Social Security taxable wage base ($97,500 in 2007). Members covered by FERS also pay 1.3% of full salary to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Members covered by CSRS Offset pay 1.8% of the first $97,500 of salary, and 8.0% of salary above this amount, into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension
· At age 62, if they have completed at least five years of service, members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.
· As of October 1, 2006, 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service. Of this number, 290 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972.
· A total of 123 Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with service under FERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006.As of October 1, 2006, 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service. Of this number, 290 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972. A total of 123 Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with service under FERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006. http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30631.pdf
And, don’t forget cost of living raises.
That means that you and I, the American public, are paying his retirement fund, life and health insurance, along with local, state and federal taxes we are required to pay.
Perhaps this is the time to enact term limitations. I realize that the longer one is in office, the more power, supposedly for their state/district they accumulate, but more time spent in “service for one’s country", also breeds corruption, and enhances the “good ole’ boy network.”
Now, they are saying the country is running out of money. Well, federal government, welcome to the club. You are now experiencing what the general public has been facing for quite some time.
Certain members want to cut Social Security and Health Care Benefits. Why should they care, their future and health care benefits are assured.
Meanwhile, our infrastructure is falling apart, we are losing jobs to overseas companies, who pay their employees less and send us shoddy work. What happened to the American work ethic?
Our young people are having children at puberty or early teen years, then, many but not all, receiving or living off the system, many having children every eighteen to twenty-four months. Many are still living at home, adding an addition burden to their families. This group does not belong just to the “under privilege", but also to the (as I call them) “upper under privilege" or those previously known as the “middle class.”
And just who is paying these benefits….you got it, the all ready over burden American tax payer.
But, the men and women who fought for this country, especially the wounded and walking wounded, widows and children, are having trouble getting jobs and/or the medical, physical therapy and mental health services they need.
I do not agree with nor am I a member of the Tea Party. But I do believe that benefits for elected officials and the taxes rate for our wealthier citizens need to be changed. Also closing up some of the current tax loop-holes which give the wealthier citizen credits the normal citizen does not receive. This would put a lot of untaxed money back into the system, generating more taxable income, and taking a lot of the burden away from you and I, the average American tax payer.
Today, the term “Noblesse Oblige” no longer applies (The belief that the wealthy and privileged are obliged to help those less fortunate. (From the French, meaning “nobility obligates”)
By the way, is this not the reason why Oliver Cromwell as well as the people of France, rose up and over threw their governments? And lest we forget …the American Revolution.
I am beginning to believe that our elected officials have forgotten the reasons why this country was founded. But I also hope they understand that we can remove them from their positions the same way we gave them that responsibility. It’s called the Vote!
If you do not know your history, it will repeat itself.
All 435 members of the House of Representatives are up for re-election in 2012. Because the Senate has 100 members either 33 or 34 will be up for election, also.
Every two years only one-third of the Senate are up for re-election. Reclaim your ownership of the United States of America.
Register to vote AND vote in every election….as an American citizen, it is your inalienable right
Here is a bit of Presidential History:
Did you know that when President Harry S. Truman retired from office, he refused secret service, servants/chauffeur etc. He and his wife drove their own car back home, and did their own house work and laundry. For that, and other policies he implemented, I applaud him for he became one of the people again.
Michele Winslow
(c) July 11, 2011
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