what if what if we cut Congresses and the Senates pay to what our troops make?
826888
Best idea I've heard all year. U work on that.
520416
I'd make it so that congress had to call a jury of 12 regular americans after the president signs a bill into law.  If all 12 americans agree that any one (or more) lines in the bill is unnecessary or unjust, then that part of the bill is invalidated and the rest goes into law.\n\nThink about how many unnecessary spending projects and corporate subsidies, and little rules that hurt consumers would be purged from our laws!  It would be awesome.
1186633
Whats amazing about this is that, while voting down a minimum wage increase 9 times over the last 10 years, they've voted to increase their pay 7 times. How's that for hypocracy? \n\nI think Congress and the Senate should be paid the same way we pay them here in NH, $100 per year plus expenses.\n\nJust another point - About half of all hourly-paid workers earning $5.15 or less were over age 25. Over 3/4 of minimum wage workers work full time. Just disputing a few "facts" others have quoted without sources.
894937
It would be political suicide for the dems to defund the war.\n\nThey will have to compromise.  Remember, the new dems tend to be more to the center, not the left.  I think they are already saying they cannot impeach Mr. Bush, and they cannot just "cut n run."\n\nLet's hope they keep their senses about them.
865766
I would have thought that would be high on the list of things to do considering the amount of money it is costing to keep the troops over there. Must be running into billions of $ and its all coming from the tax payer.
724816
You must think the liberals and democrats are fools they know you can't  remove the troops immediately but I'M sure they would try to change the down road policy of Rumsfeld and try something else my own opinion is get rid of Rumsfeld and put in someone who knows the region and the people and let him try to get the different fractions together where there talking to each other and maybe it will stop some of the violence. You have to remember even if they win some seats It probably will not control the congress or senate so it will probably be status quo and still Rumsfeld policy.
747370
Actually the Democrats want to start doing a draw down on troops as soon as they take office. I sure wouldn't want to be one of the last ones there. Come home in a box that is for sure.
916176
Tax payers pay it all. Count on it. The US Congress spends in total about $ 535 million Per year. Congress has never worked less in the History of our Country since 1948. They now work only two days per week. Each member in Congress is paid base pay of $165,000 or more. Add expenses and you come up with about $1 million each.
1114629
Not much.  For example, if they were airline pilots in the Civillian world, they would make at least double what they make as a military pilot.  Military pay is based on your rank, not your job, tho some positions, like Pilots, make dangerous duty pay.
690844
I really don't have an answer to your question, but I think we could go along way toward world peace by disbanding the military and just building a purely defensive force. We could protect our borders better if we concentrated our resources on protection of our own country. Things like happened on 9/11 would not be able to happen. I also think that the money saved would be better spent on the American people in need. Health care being one of my biggest issues. That being said there are to many greedy repuglicans in this country to ever happen, but it is my dream world.
700070
Not much. They don't have enough seats to override a veto, and Bush is too stubborn to try to compromise with them. They (Congress) will pass bills, and Bush will shoot them down. Bush will propose stuff to Congress, and they will kill it in committee.
788732
It does not mean that at all,it means that the USA will move in a different direction,I think more troops on the ground!! REMEMBER,the congress does not plan or initiate war,the President and the Pentagon control the war!! The congress can control spending,but they wouldn't dare pull funding from the troops!!
761623
Thats not a bad idea, the problem is, in many red states, 49% of the people disagree with the war. Plus, the bulk of the citizen soldiers come from familys that opposed the war, so again, it would be the democrates paying for the republicans mistakes.\n\nMy suggestion would be that anyone who votes republican should have to serve in the military, or there children should serve in there place. Starting with the Bush twins....
795986
It is a good point that you make and might I add, infighting has hurt the troops more than any comment.  The fact that the Republicans believe it should be done only one way and the Democrats are acting like T.O. doesn't help our chances.  \n\nIf you go to war, you better be prepared to make it work.  This isn't some backyard game, you don't just quit and go home when you make a decision to go to war.\n\nAll political parties and the public should be ashamed of themselves.  This isn't what our soldiers need right now, they need a country that supports them.  We need to give them what they need to execute and make their mission successful.\n\nTeam work - we forget the concept at the highest level. - brilliant.
658846
Nah. I think it could be great. War would be rare, people would eat well, education would change to fit individual need, and taxes could be lowered because spending would be different.
148694
The current salary for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $158,100 per year.
318202
your ideas are good, but there is too much money to be made, remember congress get health care and money from drug companies and lawyers, and doctors groups, so why would they want to change it when they get everything they need?\nThey get money from both sides