Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

As I watched the Congressional hearings on AIG, as well as the hearings that placed CEO after CEO on the hot seat for bonuses, pay raises and perks, it occurred to me that the United States Congress is the only group of employees I know who can decide whether or not they give themselves a pay raise.

What a thought. Imagine being able to work for someone and, at the same time, have the power to determine your own pay raise.

As Congress holds AIG to task for the bonuses handed out, and while Congress has passed legislation taxing those bonuses some 90%, the American people should hold Congress to the same standard.

Rather than allow the Congress to vote on its own pay raise, make it a ballot issue. Let the people decide whether or not Congress has performed and done its job well enough to deserve a pay raise.

Let us not forget that Congress is a major part of the mess we are in. AIG, the banks and corporate America are only partially responsible. Congress (our so-called watchmen on the Hill) let this mess unfold.

Do you think this Congress deserves a pay raise? They certainly gave themselves one. Had the decision been up to us, they actually may have had their pay docked for inferior performance.

Then there is another option. The midterm elections are coming up. Perhaps firing a number of them and hiring new "talent" will send a message.

Either way, Congress holding AIG to account for the bonus package in light of the mess AIG has created for itself, is a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black.

Will Griffith

www.griffithcorp.com



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Will Griffith
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL

The problem with that is, Congress would set their own standards, if they could agree on anything .... remember that "Lack of Responsibility" is the golden rule in Washington ....

"Performance? We don`t need no stinkin` performance!"

Anyway, it isn`t always what a member of Congress actually does that`s important, it`s how good they can make themselves look with intent ( "I wanted to do this, but the Whigfarmer Party stopped me .... " ), and how bad they can make the opposing party and its members look to the public ( "My opponent took a pack of gum from a supporter during his campaign; we need a Congressional investigation!" ) that gets them in office .... with every one of them claiming the other side is responsible for anything bad that happens in this country, and their own party should get credit for everything good that happens ( even though that may be very seldom ), I don`t think they could ever set up a system that wouldn`t be hypocritical of themselves.





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M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

Why not follow the Jackie Mason idea, and put Congress on commission? There`s no difference between "bonus" and "commission," when you come right down to it.

Either way, there would then be some performance requirements.

That`s an excellent point. And what makes this idea harder to implement is that it is pretty difficult to monitor congress` actions...most voters wouldn`t even go near C-SPAN, even if they could vote on a bonus or commission for congress.


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Motivation for Entrepreneurs
Entre-Propel.com

When you get right down to it, the problem is "how do we get out of this?" How do we get to something new, or back to what was working.

Cutting away the massive discussion, I think it comes down to everyone having to remember that reality exists, and that some things have value on a wider basis than the next 10 minutes.

Too many  people seem to think that "stuff just happens, somehow." I believe we`re all going to have to have a reality check, get back to understanding the connection between work, effort, and discipline with hopes, goals, and creative development.

How and when that`ll happen is anybody`s guess, but I suspect it`s going to take a lot more trouble than what we`re currently experiencing.

i agree with you.and congress should have somthing for the people to vote on them.

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www.r n l landscape.org
vernonlucas@hotmail.com

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Aww... I see, no one has responded to your "shoot me now!"   Yep, it`s a heavy subject. ..... what is going to happen in the years ahead ,.. a big and scary question, for sure!!