House bill could give former presidents a pay cut

CSM Michael Lynch — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:08:01 -0400

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. He wants to reduce the pension to $200,000, and phase out expense allowances for former presidents who have outside income.

This Senator has his eye on the country and our debt. I hope that he looks at taking it even further down to congress and reduce their benefits as well.

Someone in Washington is at least going forth with the idea that millions of us have talked about for decades. Of course we all know where it will go if passed and then on to the president, veto in the works.

It would be a victorious day for the citizens, if went through for all of them.

Former presidents receive a $203,000 pension and expenses of as much as $1.2 million, but a bill introduced in Congress could change that.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2015 4:08 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:08:55 -0400

I wish only current,,,,,

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 17 at 2015 4:09 PM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:09:26 -0400

I kinda get the pension, but $1.2 million expenses? That's just ridiculous.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 17 at 2015 4:19 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:19:07 -0400

We're arguing over "pennies."

That said, when they leave office give them $1M and cut ties. They are on their own. They pay their own security. They pay their own housing. They pay everything out of their own pockets.

If they want secret service, they pay the government "list" (our rate). We'll cover official correspondence, and official travel, but that's it. If they can't survive "til the end of their days on ONE MILLION DOLLARS" screw them.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 17 at 2015 4:24 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:24:45 -0400

Ummm...former presidents are not representing the people any more, why are they being paid? IF they are representing the people, those expenses should be compensated and so should the president's time BUT how often is this happening?

Ford figured out how to profit from his former office and so have every president since then...they are all millionaires, I am okay if they only get $100,000 for not having to work.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 17 at 2015 4:46 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 16:46:55 -0400

I've never heard of a former President living on skid row. They always seem to leave the White House much more financially set from when they started. Now if only the ex Presidents retaliate and push a bill for the other branches to follow suit.

Response by SFC Charles S. made Apr 17 at 2015 5:09 PM

SFC Charles S. — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 17:09:15 -0400

Wow, I'm shocked they even considered this.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 18 at 2015 2:02 PM

SGT John Wesley — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 14:02:56 -0400

Just a question? What's he doing about his pay and his perks? Is he doing this to save our nation money (which I agree with!) or is he just doing a political stunt to make a name for himself?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 10:00 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 22:00:28 -0400

I fully support this.

The question is when are they also going to apply it to Congress and their benefits?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 11:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 23:50:40 -0400

Why do many of these Politicians get paid at all?

This is not what the founding forefathers established. These positions were meant to be a temporary job as an average citizen to serve the American public.

Many of the original Presidents had almost nothing left at the end of their life.

All of these over compensated Salaries could be utilized to pay the deficit, improve the Veterans Administration, and a multitude of many other things.

There is no way anything like this will pass as they all value themselves too highly.

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made Apr 19 at 2015 12:07 AM

SGT Michael Touchet — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 00:07:44 -0400

I agree politicians are being unduly enriched to the detriment of the Tax Payers. I would like to see them receive much less than 200k.