Pension halt for Congress' crooks

[Ivan Seeking]

WASHINGTON — More than 20 citizen groups are urging the new Democratic leaders in Congress to include in any ethics reform the denial of pensions to lawmakers convicted of felonies.

"We must end the practice of rewarding lawmakers who abuse the law with plush pension packages funded by the American taxpayer," the coalition wrote in a letter to be sent today to Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid, who will become speaker of the House and Senate majority leader when Democrats assume control of Congress in January. [continued][/quote]
http://www.azstarnet.com/news/158289

What a novel idea! Yes, I can get behind that one.

 

[BobG]

WASHINGTON — More than 20 citizen groups are urging the new Democratic leaders in Congress to include in any ethics reform the denial of pensions to lawmakers convicted of felonies.

"We must end the practice of rewarding lawmakers who abuse the law with plush pension packages funded by the American taxpayer," the coalition wrote in a letter to be sent today to Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid, who will become speaker of the House and Senate majority leader when Democrats assume control of Congress in January. [continued]

http://www.azstarnet.com/news/158289

What a novel idea! Yes, I can get behind that one.

I could agree with that if it were for actions committed while in office.

I don't have a serious problem with yanking retirement benefits for any lawmakers convicted of a felony, but their retirement really is part of the compensation package for the time they serve in Congress. In the interests of fairness, what they do after or before their time in Congress should be irrelevant.

I'd also categorize their pensions as "pretty damn good" rather than plush. The typical pension is around $41,000 to $55,000 a year - but only because most Congressmen don't serve that many years. I think a Congressman needs to serve 5 years before they're eligible to receive a retirement benefit and one serving a single six year Senate term would get $16,500 a year for the rest of their life. Not a bad add-on to whatever job they work the rest of their life considering they only served 6 years. The 'plush' retirements are generally drawn by those that have spent 20 years or more in Congress and have COLA kick in. Some of those that served 30 years in Congress, retired around 50, and still alive around 80 are receiving some pretty hefty retirement money.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/20/commentary/wastler/wastler/index.htm
http://www.c-span.org/questions/weekly68.asp

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

It is quite disheartening to see lawmakers, who are supposed to be setting an example for the rest of the country, engaging in unethical and criminal behavior. It sends the message that there are no consequences for their actions and that they are above the law. Denying pensions to lawmakers convicted of felonies is a step in the right direction towards holding them accountable for their actions and restoring faith in the government. I hope that this proposal is seriously considered and implemented in the near future.