tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post4266768411925114684..comments2023-08-20T07:06:14.115-04:00Comments on Thurber's Thoughts: Why do we pay a 'death gratuity' for members of Congress?Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-49910837278471539042013-10-22T09:39:21.378-04:002013-10-22T09:39:21.378-04:00Since 1984 members of congress DO pay into Social ...Since 1984 members of congress DO pay into Social Security. They participate in the same health insurance plans that all federal workers enjoy. There is plenty to complain about, but you should get your facts straight.mrmachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05674298057082026844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-8186209702800728432012-09-12T08:54:36.844-04:002012-09-12T08:54:36.844-04:00skeeter1107 and J Motes - I agree wholeheartedly!skeeter1107 and J Motes - I agree wholeheartedly!Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-37372718762393802932012-09-12T08:48:05.465-04:002012-09-12T08:48:05.465-04:00Agree: Eliminate their pensions. Make them, and al...Agree: Eliminate their pensions. Make them, and all other Federal employees, pay into Social Security.<br /><br />Agree: Eliminate their special health benefits. They can use their own money to buy private insurance, the same way we who do not have employer-provided health insurance do. After all, they don't actually work full-time, do they, especially when you consider the enormous percentage of their time that is devoted to finagling for campaign contributions or working on getting reelected or running for a better office -- stuff that we never get to do on our employer's time.<br /><br />Add: Force them, like all other seniors, to have their healthcare provided by Medicare when they retire. No opting out for private insurance or anything else that my mom is forbidden to do.<br /><br />Add: Force them to live under all the same laws and regulations that they shove down our throats.J Moteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04169438869709308687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-85046061253364748282012-09-07T10:58:01.440-04:002012-09-07T10:58:01.440-04:00For the rest of us in the real world and not in Co...For the rest of us in the real world and not in Congress, receiving income from an employer that isn't a life insurance payment would be considered income and subject to all payroll taxes.<br /><br />Personally, I believe we should eliminate their pensions. It would be one less incentive to stay for 50 plus years like John Dingall or the 30 plus years of Marcy Kaptur.<br /><br />I would also eliminate their special health benefits. They would be given monies to buy a policy in the open market while they serve in Congress.<br /><br />skeeter1107https://www.blogger.com/profile/15125467565568229281noreply@blogger.com