STORM2K

For the fourth straight year .lawmakers have included themselves in annual pay raises for federal employees. Salaries for represenatives & senators would go to approx. $158,000 a year.!!!! They are at 154,000 now.

I was talking about this last night. I believe we should do away with Congress. Put the money they are paid into Social Security and Medicare. We should let the President be the President.

Lindaloo wrote:I was talking about this last night. I believe we should do away with Congress. Put the money they are paid into Social Security and Medicare. We should let the President be the President.

It would be cool with me if they at least did this on a trial basis. If the country doesn't go into the toilet during that time, make it permanent.

Heard that Johnny Depp (actor) is now living in France. He spoke out against the United States one day last week saying that the United States is going to Hades.

Actor Johnny Depp Disavows Anti-American Quotes
Thu Sep 4, 8:42 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Denying any anti-American sentiment on his part, actor Johnny Depp (news) said on Thursday that quotes attributed to him as likening the United States to a "dumb puppy" were inaccurate and taken out of context.

"I am an American. I love my country and have great hopes for it," Depp said in a statement released by his Los Angeles-based publicist. "It is for this reason that I speak candidly and sometimes critically about it. I have benefited greatly from the freedom that exists in my country and for this I am eternally grateful."

Depp, currently starring in the swashbuckling film "Pirates of the Caribbean," issued the statement a day after the German news magazine Stern published an interview in which he ridiculed Washington's confrontation with France, where he lives, over the U.S. war in Iraq (news - web sites).

The magazine quoted the actor as saying "America is ... like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive." He was further quoted as saying he wanted his children to "see America as ... a broken toy" that they should explore, get the feel of, then "get out."

Explaining his comments a day later, Depp he had been using a metaphor that was taken "radically out of context," adding, "There was no anti-American sentiment."

"What I was saying was that, compared to Europe, America is a very young country and we are still growing as a nation," he said. "My deepest apologies to those who were offended, affected, or hurt by this insanely twisted deformation of my words and intent."

His spokeswoman added that the Kentucky-born Depp, 40, lives in the south of France with his family because his wife, actress-singer Vanessa Paradis (news), is French.

It is always funny to me when people down talk the United States it gets twisted by the media. Sometimes silence is golden. lol.

That calculates to a 2.5% increase. I can see the federal employees but the lawmakers I think can do without especially in tough economic times. Heck, they have a nice PENSION to look forward to!

Lindaloo wrote:I was talking about this last night. I believe we should do away with Congress. Put the money they are paid into Social Security and Medicare. We should let the President be the President.

...........Linda, isn't your uncle the Honorable Trent Lott?

ColdFront77 wrote:

Lindaloo wrote:I was talking about this last night. I believe we should do away with Congress. Put the money they are paid into Social Security and Medicare. We should let the President be the President.

...........Linda, isn't your uncle the Honorable Trent Lott?

Yes, Tom. But regardless, I still feel that way. We elect the President to run this country, not Congress. Darn, do I sound liberal? LOL!!

You are right Steph, it is ridiculous!! Another thing they could do is to give our fine police officers and firefighters the pay they deserve.

Thanks Linda. I understand. I remember you mentioning it. Having a family member involved in something you don't agree with, means no disrepect.

Let me guess, congress gets to vote on whether or not they get a pay raise? I don't mean to sound like an anarchist or anything, but I think government is just way too involved in everything we do. They need to back off some. Almost on a daily basis I read something that pisses me off about our government. Here is today's article! Maybe government is the wrong word. I mean politicians. We need REAL people representing us in office, not these greedy politicians. We should be electing everyday Americans into office. I think they'd do a better job!

I remember when I was in the military, in the late eighties, or maybe it was on into the early nineties, congress gave themselves a 37% pay raise while giving us as soldiers a measley 2.5%. It was ultimately overturned and they had to settle for what I believe was about a 16% raise. Talk about conflict of interest or what. They also do not pay into Social Security as I understand. Pension for life even if they serve only one term. Where is the public interest in this?

blizzard wrote:I remember when I was in the military, in the late eighties, or maybe it was on into the early nineties, congress gave themselves a 37% pay raise while giving us as soldiers a measley 2.5%. It was ultimately overturned and they had to settle for what I believe was about a 16% raise. Talk about conflict of interest or what. They also do not pay into Social Security as I understand. Pension for life even if they serve only one term. Where is the public interest in this?

There IS NONE. It's nothing more than a country club or frat house. If you're accepted, you're set for life.

I agree Lindaloo, the actual WORKERS who lay their lives on the line everyday deserve a bigger pay raise.

Another thing I just heard today which pisses me off. The National Park service has not stepped up security for our national monuments and treasures such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Washington Monument, etc. It is reported that security checkpoints are vacant, security cameras are too far away, etc. Why? Lack of funding - of course!!! We need to start putting our money where our mouths are. It's all fine and dandy to suggest and legislate rules and regulations for Homeland Security, etc. but guess what, IT COSTS MONEY.

BTW, Stephanie, I like your new Avatar

And I agree with you wholeheartedly

blizzard wrote:BTW, Stephanie, I like your new AvatarAnd I agree with you wholeheartedly

When you go into your profile, at the bottom you can select from a WIDE VARIETY of avatars. When you click on the "avatar gallery" button, I believe that this is located under "animated avatars".

I was looking for something new, and I am glad that I "rediscovered" this one.