Saturday, December 29, 2001
Congress couldn't get on the same page when it came to passing an economic stimulus package, but the congressmen and women had no trouble singing in harmony when it came to a pay hike for themselves. More than a million Americans are without jobs, but our representatives are gainfully employed -- with the emphasis on gain.
Congress has been more than usually sneaky in ratcheting up its recompense. In 1989, members put together a clever system through which their raises are automatic unless a measure to block the pay increases is passed.
This year, despite the ravaged economy, only Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wisc., had the decency to ask for a vote to block the pay raise from taking effect. But late at night, just before going home for Christmas, the legislators used a 65-33 vote on a different procedural matter to thwart Feingold's effort. But Feingold is sticking to his guns and will turn down the raise -- as he has the others that have been similarly instituted over the past few years. Feingold is holding his own salary to the $136,700 he earned when he was first elected.
In 1990, congressional pay was $98,400. Come January, with the latest boost of $4,900, senators and representatives will be bringing home $150,000 -- which of course, doesn't include an excellent benefit package and a pension plan that makes Social Security look like chicken feed.
Worst job cuts: But for the folks whose Uncle Sam is not nearly so benevolent, the news is not so good. According to the job-placement firm Challenger, Gray & amp; Christmas, which tracks unemployment, U.S. companies have announced 624,411 job cuts since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. That's more than the 12-month totals for every year from 1993 to 1997.
In fact, while the nation's legislators are throwing more taxpayer-funded swill into their trough, the United States is on pace to record more job losses in 2001 than it has in at least nine years. Challenger said that through the end of November companies had announced close to 1.8 million job cuts in 2001, nearly three times as many as were announced in 2000.
It is in this context that Congress is off key. With some 2 million families enduring financial privation -- remember that the stimulus package Congress wouldn't pass included extended health insurance for the long-term unemployed -- senators and representatives could have tightened their belts just a little.
During the Depression, Congress cut its own pay twice and suspended its two-month-old pension plan. During World War II, it also froze its pay. It's too bad that similar inspiration is not to be had from the war on terrorism.