aren't THEY all government employees too?

[kpete]

these senators, congresspeople, assembly folks?

[Horse with no Name]

1. I've wondered that myself

they need their pay, benefits and retirement cut out too.

Shared pain and all.

[notesdev]

2. No

as the people's representatives they are not employees, they are collectively sovereign - they are the government, they don't work for the government.

[PA Democrat]

3. yes, and THEY don't need a union

because they can simply vote themselves pay raises.

[Obamanaut]

5. Actually, it's better than that. They get a raise at the end of December

automatically, unless they vote NOT to get one.

It's a case of 'keep quiet, get a raise.'

edited to add: At the federal (DC) level, I know nothing of locals across the country.

[fasttense]

4. Of course they are government employees.

What else would they be since we the people pay their salaries and full retirements and health care with our tax dollars.

And yet you rarely hear about their retirements being cut, or they picking up a bigger co-pay for their health care.

Don't do as I do, do as I say.

[HereSince1628]

6. I'm thinking most of them are on CORPORATE payrolls...

How else to explain their votes?

[Johonny]

7. They think of themselves as royalty

[upi402]

8. Times are tough, forgo the governor's compensation package

:patriot: It's patriotic!

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. No. They're private sector millionaires. This is a hobby for them. n/t

[Poboy]

10. This is an excellent point. It goes right to their hearts.

We will have to push this point all by ourselves though.
there is NO WAY our Dem elected officials will take up this point. In fact, I think they'll do anything to not bring this one up.

[slater71]

11. So are the fire and police

I would think that in the court of law that it could be a case of discrimation since the firemen and police are also public employees.