The perfect first cut

Might as well take care of this early in the game because I suspect it will go nowhere. But, not to worry...those knights in shining armor who vote against it will have plenty of time to accomplish things that will impress their constituents enough to cause them to forget about that pesky pay cut legislation by the time the next election rolls around. This is politics as usual.

No, it won't change the way I think of Congress because I think everyone knows Boehner and many others in Congress are independently wealthy so it would just be strictly a political ploy. Also, how much of a cut is he talking about here? I'm going to play the "devil's advocate" here a bit: while we all can agree nobody should get rich by being a member of the U.S. House or Senate, I sure don't expect them to do it for nothing. Let's face it, the relatively tiny amount of money it would save wouldn't be worth guaranteeing we'd only have wealthy politicians. We're supposed to want "ordinary people" to run for office, right? People like ourselves? Well, I know people like ME sure can't afford to just take off from their regular jobs and work for little or no pay and still be able to take care of their families. I really don't mind those who do a good job getting a decent salary for it and I don't think how they vote on a pay cut, depending on how big it is, of course, is a fair way to judge them. The millionaires will vote for it and attack the ones without a lot of their own money who don't simply because they can't afford to. I have a feeling this will turn out to be nothing more than a gimmick. I DO think they should lose some of their expensive perks and expense accounts; now THAT'S a whole different story! Annie

Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner, said that no decision has been made to slash members' salaries, but pointed to the promises the GOP made in its "Pledge to America" in September. Ugh, I hope this wasn't merely "pretty words to make the people happy." If Boehner takes the initiative to do this, then props to him. Do try to look at what exactly it is he's trying to pass though. I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone that they could always include "extra tidbits" that may not be directly related to cutting salaries. Please, do post another topic when this happens though. While I hope to remember this, I'm aware I can be forgetful...

Perfect! I will be watching this like a hawk. The first thing I will watch for is who votes for and against a vote on it. Then, I will watch to see who votes yes or no on it. This should all prove to be a really good acid test for the new crop of legislators. I have long held the belief that the U.S. legislature should follow the same standard as my state legislature follows, as a volunteer job. My state reps make a little over 200 dollars a year (plus mileage and free toll passage).

I will believe it when I see it. The other thing that you have to look at is the bill itself. In a bill like this you will find many poison pills, and they will plant items in there so it looks like they are cutting their salaries, but really are making more money. I do think it is good, but these are politicians, and they lie all the time. Cutting their own salaries is nothing in comparison to all of the other money they control. I think if you get enough angry people to back it then it will, but again, you have read the bill and see what else is in there. It would only change the way I think of them if it is a clean bill, and I will bet anyone on here that it won't.

It looks like Boehner has gotten a little wake up call after his "stop Medicare cuts" line was met with such disdain. This would be a start. Now, if we can end all the lifetime benefit packages and cut Congressional staff to 2-3, maybe we could keep them so busy they would stop spending all OUR money.

He is going to trigger fire-the times are already and a cut on earnings will bring the guys popularity!

I think it's a great idea but, honestly, no one will remember how the Congress voted on it when it comes time for reelection.

I am with X on this one and will watch who supports the cut and who opposes them.

Great idea; good for Boehner. I hope there's follow-through. Remember so many in the Senate are already millionaires and 7 out of 10 of them are democrats! Once they dispose of the usurper by consigning him to prison, then it will really be "a go" and then, when they clean up their own act(s), I will begin to think differently.