Posts with the tag congressional

Perhaps USA Needs to Follow Ghana's Example

Liz — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:39:55 EDT

I was reading from the various international papers this morning and this tidbit from Ghana inspired me to pass it on to my three elected Congressional officials in DC (currently on vacation) in the hopes that it might inspire them. Yes, I am a believer in miracles.

Ghana asked to slash salaries
afrol News, 7 August - The opposition Ghana National Party (GNP) wants the government to slash the remuneration of ministers to cut down expenditures.

Ghana has already announced its preparedness to slash by half investment expenditure of all ministers, departments and agencies so as to save money to meet the current hikes in global fuel prices.

According to the GNP leader, Mr. Samuel Ofori Ampofo, it has become necessary to cut down remuneration of ministers and public officials, even though this was not enough to achieve the country's intended objective.

"The government of Ghana must follow the example of the Ivorian government, which on Thursday, July 19, 2008 announced 50% cut on salaries of all government officials in order to fund the importation of crude oil," said Mr. Ampofo in a statement, revealing that the government's expenditure on salaries, allowances and privileges eat up 30% of the national budget.

Yikes 30% of the national budget! Ours are not nearly so greedy. Both houses of our govenment cost the American taxpayer about $90 million a year in their salaries alone. (Of course, with all the other perks,I don't know how much more. This is just salaries.) According to WIKI the annual salaries of senators and representatives is $169,300. President Pro tempore and party leaders (2 democrats and 2 republicans get $188,100. Of course they work 3 and 4 day weeks and take approximately three months of vacation each year.

"Hey America! Let's Wake Up Out There!"

Mike Oot, Candidate for Congress (NY-23) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:02:37 EDT

Ok, here it is America, to paraphrase Lee Iacocca, it’s time for America to shake off the stuff that’s been dumped on us by this Administration, together with their collaborators in the Congress and get this country moving in the right direction again. It can be done.

We all know that we are unhappy with Washington.

CNNPolitics.com (along with every other major news outlet) reported last week that George Bush has finally secured his legacy. He has just surpassed Richard Nixon's disapproval ratings of 68% and on his own, he scores a pretty dramatic 70% disapproval. This won’t be a surprise to anyone.

Before members of Congress get too excited, the polls also show that the public thinks little of Congress, scoring a remarkable disapproval rating of approximately 69%. However, much of the dissatisfaction with the Congress seems to me to stem from their inability to end the war, and the truth is that failure is the responsibility of the defiant Administration and their Republican collaborators in the Congress.

Sixty-Nine percent of the people are mad at Congress, 68% of the people object to the war. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out.

Obviously the war has only the most negligible support and people don't understand that President Bush can and has stymied all efforts to bring the troops home safely and quickly. The Administration’s war supporters in the Congress have failed to help execute the will of the people and failed to pledge their vote to override the vetoes.

In our own 23rd Congressional District Congressman McHugh has consistently voted against bringing the troops home safely.

But, here’s where the good news starts. November offers an opportunity to get America back on track.

We are certainly going to get a fresh start in the Executive Branch of government after the election but the opportunity to make significant and meaningful change in the Congress can’t be ignored.

The good news is that in this election, Americans have the chance to once again take control of their government by sending people to Congress that will be responsive to their needs. Americans can restore America by redefining it to stand for something other than the image crafted by this administration; the bullying swagger of "my way or the highway" that we’ve experienced as of late.

How can you change this? There is only one way. Vote. Don’t be defeated by the feeling that your vote doesn’t count or won’t help. Americans need to support those who have worked to bring our troops home and fire those members of Congress that have obstructed those efforts and stood in the way of safety for our American soldiers fighting in the Iraqi civil war.

It’s time to send home those Congressmen that have flouted the will of the people they represent, that have voted for legislation favoring the wealthy upper class and that have worked towards ignoring all of those that disagree with them.

The time has come to empower Americans to wake up and take back control of their government and their lives.

LETTER TO THE EDITORS:

Andrew Stergiou — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 09:23:01 EDT

Addressing Republican Congressional representatives a constituent asked:

Congressmen "What are you going to do they are cutting bus services to a point where we can't get to our work or jobs"?

Congressman1 answers: The sky is blue, the moon is green, you welfare cheats are so mean, big business corporate tax cheaters are not to blame we should legalize what they do and is their shame!

Congressman2 Buses are no good for the envirnment you know (nor the economy) be a good patriot, keep as stiff upper lip, wave your flags don't sink the ship, spend your money, don't be cheap, buy a gas guzzler, don't walk the streets, doesn't matter if you have food or not, some old rice burner will do the charm, we don't need public transportation we have cars. What do you expect a horse and barn?

Congressmen3 Gentlemen Gentlemen you go too far you can't hide your wealth and money in some earthern jars buried deep, so drive around and hide them in plain view when you drive the streets, for the are the blessings that we reap, don't rev your engines the American people might be asleep, but the issue is public transportation, so lets not repeat, its five o'clock we have some where to go, and we have to eat.

Congressman4: Gentlemen Gentlemen let me know what will we eat, and where will we go? What will we do? Bye bye America later for you.

Heck says the constituent you didn't answer what I asked!

I asked for a bus, you gave me a stare, I waited in patience, and you rambled on about trash, about horses and carriages, and lunch and cars, while I have to eat, and now don't have a job; and as I finally bought a car I spent all my cash, and now I will starve for I have no money to eat while you think I am dead or half asleep. But that does not matter for you have not a care.