So Congress, having bailed on the auto bailout, is giving itself a pay raise. With the words of railing against UAW salaries still warm in their mouths, they said "aye" to their own pocketbooks. Without, one would assume, a second -- or first -- thought. To save the auto industry and the economy, congressionalists (especially, exclusively pretty much, the Republican variety) demanded auto workers accept less money, or no deal. People are losing jobs by the boat-load; others are seeing wages or hours cut; awash in public debt, we hover at the very brink. Yet those tone-deaf and self-serving politicians don't even have the decency to be embarrassed. I doubt it even occurred to them.I suppose I could laugh. I guess I could just say, "So what's new?" Politicians saying one thing and doing another? Using crisis to push a partisan agenda while ignoring the implications for the country as a whole? Looking out for themselves while screwing everyone else? This is news? Blogworthy?
Not to the extent that it would change anything. One by one those smug Republican senators got up and claimed that auto workers (who already had agreed to many cutbacks and revisions of contracts) and their salaries were the problem. How selfish of those unions continually to demand more! In these dire days!! How unAmerican. How...
What's that you say? Time to vote ourselves a pay raise? Gotta go.
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How long will you blame Republicans for the acts of Congress? Demos have been running that show for two years now--and a fine job they've done!
ReplyDeleteAn the UAW workers are making something like $75 an hour. Can't blame them--but the union is being unrealistic. The Toyota workers make a more reasonable $45 an hour--and their companies are still in biz.
anonymous: ever heard of a filibuster? Notice that since the Dems got a majority, the Repug have used it more than at any time in history? Notice what party is in the White House? Just asking.
ReplyDelete$75/hour? Not even conservatives agree. More, if you're interested.
Think Congress would accept a UAW salary?
So, your argument is that this is the Republicans' fault because they didn't filibuster? And then you impugn their use of the filibuster?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be great if Congress worked for $75, no overtime, no special bennies, like their own parking lot at the airport. I think it would be great if they just had to have had a real job at some time in their lives. Unlike Joe Biden. Unlike Caroline. Unlike BHO.
So, your argument is that this is the Republicans' fault because they didn't filibuster
ReplyDeleteWhoa, you're heading into the Twilight Zone and I can't follow. "Didn't" filibuster???? SInce when?
Lie down for a while, and then read it again.
Damn Sid, you're a political blogging machine! You're like the west coast Hendrik Hertzberg. Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteHey, Buck, good to hear from you!! Yeah, I've sort of morphed. I wish I could re-conjure the other blog, which was probably a lot more useful.
ReplyDeleteDo you really want to see Congressmen down at your local Plasma Center??? At least that Constitutional Ammendment passed awhile ago restricting raises till after an election...Anyway, the pay should be irrelevent for these guys,,,they're like Tony Soprano, needing a legit W-2 to explain the $5 million dollar country home...
ReplyDeleteActually, I would, Frank. Give me someone to talk to while I'm getting my bi-weekly sawbuck. It's a living.
ReplyDelete