Wages--Congressmen, Staffers and the politics of elitistm

[nolies32fouettes]

http://progressiveu.org/020713-how-much-does-a-congressman-make-how-about-thier-staffer

[saracat]

1. And most of the salaries quoted for staffers are for two month periods!

$10,500 for two months isn't bad. The peice makes it sound like it is for a year!

[nolies32fouettes]

2. 10,500 is for minimum wage employees working full time

40 hours per week.

But I was trying to compare x-sections. And 10,500 >>> 63,000 is still quite difficult for DC prices. I styed there for a while. Breakfast at a restaurant was 10 to 14 bucks. Lunch was more. Average dinner was 20 plus.

Gas was high--but then again it's high everywhere.

Home prices are astronomical!

[hfojvt]

3. since that is your blog

you could have copied the whole thing here. Just makes it easier for people to read and reply here. How many DUers who looked at your post did not bother to check out the link, since you did not say much about what was there?

Also, I think you are underestimating staffers pay. If you look at a Republican like Dan Burton
http://www.legistorm.com/member/Hon_Dan_Burton/153/6.html
The lowest paid staffer was the special assistant who made $7,000 in three months. That's $28,000 a year. Might not be alot for Washington DC, but they don't say if they all work in DC. Wouldn't some staffers be in their local offices back in the district?
Some of the other staffers, like his district director and executive assistant are making $18,750 and $20,000 for three months - $75,000 - $80,000 a year. That's not bad money.

[EST]

4. Bullshit!

Here's an article for you. It's about six years old so the numbers should be rounded up about twenty five percent.
www.c-span.org/questions/weekly35.asp

[nolies32fouettes]

5. No b.s. --legitimate links

Legitorm.--staff salaries


Dept. of labor states on the average american's minimum wage. as well as other articles that site it.

USGOV--info on Congressmen

WAPO--Lobbyists salaries