Should Congressmen and Senators have to cut their own benefits before touching military benefits?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:25:30 -0400

Currently after serving one term in the Senate and two in Congress, that elected official is entitled to a lifetime full pension and full health retirement benefits, for themselves and their families as well as other benefits... isn't that socialism?
Republicans and Democrats alike are supporting hacking the benefits of the 1% of the country that has served.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Apr 30 at 2015 7:30 PM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:30:36 -0400

That would be leadership - officers eating last and all of that. Don't hold your breath - these people think of themselves as entitled royalty.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Apr 30 at 2015 7:42 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:42:31 -0400

Lead by example everyone always says...

DAMN STRAIGHT they should!! These people raise millions to get elected then get the best retirement and benefit plans available and the first people they always seem to want to shove it to is veterans and active SMs.

When do congressional fact finders show up in a combat zone? When it's safe and secured. (they wear body armor for show) And who makes it safe for these congressmen to go fact finding yet get paid far less??

Being in the military is like being an IT geek. We're liabilities to the system because we spend without turning a profit. We're the first budget the brass wants to cut, they tell us to do more with less and yet no one can live without us. The minute something goes wrong who are the first people they call to straighten it out?

Response by SGT James Elphick made Apr 30 at 2015 7:46 PM

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:46:18 -0400

They should have to cut their benefits anyway. What they receive, even for just one term is outrageous. Did you know some of them even have the audacity to complain about their pay?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/03/jim-moran-congress-pay_n_5087425.html

Dem Rep Complains That Members Of Congress Are 'Underpaid'

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) thinks members of Congress aren't paid enough. Speaking to CQ Roll Call, Moran, who is retiring after this term, said he and his colleagues are not adequately compensated fo

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 7:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:48:34 -0400

Sir,

I don't believe this should even have to be discussed.

A true leader would willfully do that, of their own accord, without any proking, proding, public outrage, etc.

Throw in a national debt in the trillions, it would be great if they all took pay/benefit cuts simply because that's just what leaders do (or should do) when faced with things like that.

Even if that doesn't make a huge monetary difference, the act/display itself would go a very long way with the populace, I would think.

People are more inclined to follow people who are willing to sacrifice for them.

That could be why our current politicians have some of the lowest favorability ratings in history.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 7:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:56:18 -0400

There are 1,000,000+ views on this video, however, I'm convinced that none of our elected officials have actually watched it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReRcHdeUG9Y

Simon Sinek: Why Leaders Eat Last

About this presentation In this in-depth talk, ethnographer and leadership expert Simon Sinek reveals the hidden dynamics that inspire leadership and trust. ...

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 8:03 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 20:03:01 -0400

Of course they should!!! That's a given. I think they get more benefits and retirement than we do for less time in service.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 30 at 2015 10:24 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:24:13 -0400

Yes, but they won't.

Response by Sgt Tom Vaughn made Apr 30 at 2015 10:41 PM

Sgt Tom Vaughn — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:41:05 -0400

Yes

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 30 at 2015 10:45 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:45:20 -0400

The obvious answer is YES! And unfortunately will never happen.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 30 at 2015 10:52 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:52:40 -0400

Well yes in deed good sir.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Apr 30 at 2015 11:04 PM

PO3 Michael James — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:04:34 -0400

That's an outstanding idea !! I sincerely believe that our elected officials should LEAD by EXAMPLE !!! And I am very happy to say thanks to our Military for NOT functioning like our Elected officials ...

Response by SGT Racie Hutchens made Apr 30 at 2015 11:06 PM

SGT Racie Hutchens — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:06:08 -0400

It has always been my long held belief that congressional members can keep their benefits, as long as they no longer expect any military member to protect them or their families. From the day they start collecting benefits, they might want to pick up their own M4 and learn what sacrifice is really all about. It certainly isn't safely from your congressional seat!

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 11:06 PM

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:06:55 -0400

I'd really like to know where the healthcare and pension benefit myths come from. Members of congress do not get a full pension even after multiple terms, and congressional healthcare is even worse. Prior to 2014, congress participated in the federal employee health benefits program, and only while they were actively serving. However, that changed and congress is now required to use healthcare from the market, thanks to the affordable care act. Congressional pay is pretty good, but that's important to ensure we can elect anyone, and not just those who are independently wealthy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 11:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:46:21 -0400

Should be cut regardless...

Response by MSG Robert Mills made Apr 30 at 2015 11:52 PM

MSG Robert Mills — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:52:49 -0400

LEADERSHIP: never ask anything of your soldiers that you are unwilling or unable to do, something about being out front and well all that stuff they shove in your face while you are in service ABSOLUTELY THEY SHOULD GO FIRST and not by a little bit or a percentage, it should be time served just like those who do four times the service that some elected official does for what they get paid and the benefits they get for only 4 years of "service" its a crock and for what they do for everyone that has served they should take no pay with all the hair brained ideas they come up with to cut people out of what they earned. Id love to see the day when they lead by example like they expect of the service people that wear the uniform. Something about politics and politicians being something comes to mind lol

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 1 at 2015 12:06 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 01 May 2015 00:06:12 -0400

I spent half my life hearing "Lead By Example." How does a government servant get to vote on their own pay raises?

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made May 1 at 2015 1:36 AM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Fri, 01 May 2015 01:36:23 -0400

Give them all VA Healthcare.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made May 1 at 2015 5:57 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Fri, 01 May 2015 17:57:32 -0400

From the President down should look at cutting their benefits before ours. I personally feel that Congress and Senate should only be paid during elected term - after term limits are established or you are removed then you have to go back in society and live on what you have passed.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 28 at 2015 2:49 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:49:03 -0400

That's what they should have been doing for the longest time. They are mostly useless, bickering fools who make 2 year old children look mature.
Retirement should be similar to that of the military, 50% after 20 years of service and increased 2.5% yearly same as the military until 75% is reached. And make them pay for their Healthcare and Dental just as we retirees do.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 28 at 2015 3:56 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:56:52 -0400

Hell yes, no lifetime benifits

Response by SPC Michael Ruehrwein made Sep 30 at 2015 11:35 AM

SPC Michael Ruehrwein — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:35:00 -0400

I remember this one story, I want to say that it was Socrates' Utopia--and in his version of Utopia the people 'at the top' couldn't get what they wanted until they found a way to give it to everyone else first. Example: If, let's say, it's freezing cold outside, and the people at the top of the chain decided that they want new coats. Well, in Socrates' Utopia, for them to get new coats, they first have to find a way to get everyone else new coats first; then, after everyone else has new coats, they will get their coats.

That sounds like leadership to me.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 7 at 2016 2:14 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 14:14:28 -0400

I know this much: the Military has a hell of a lot higher approval rating than Congress does. Take that for what it's worth....