U.S. CITIZENS SPEAK OUT ON CONGRESS PAY AND RETIREMENT

Americans Are Demanding Congress CUT THEIR OWN PAY and END their Pension Plan: "WE Have To Make Sacrifices -- So Should YOU!" 

A new poll has just been released -- and WE THE PEOPLE want THEM THE CONGRESS to take a PAY CUT and bring an END to their sweet Congressional Pension Plan! 

Did you hear this incredible news? "More than two-thirds of likely voters think members of Congress should have their salaries cut and their pensions eliminated," according to a new poll commissioned by The Hill. 

"Sixty-seven percent said the $174,000 base salary for members should be lowered instead of raised or left as it is, and 69 percent want members' pensions discontinued.

The poll's findings reflect the public's ever-darkening view of Congress, now at record lows, and perhaps the respondents' tepid views about their own financial prospects: In the same survey, 40 percent said they expect their personal finances will get worse in 2012 while another 40 percent said they only expect them to remain the same."

Do YOU think our Congress critters EARN that $174,000 a year? Do YOU think they deserve a guaranteed pension plan that the rest of us can't get? NEITHER DO WE! 

IT'S TIME FOR SHARED SACRIFICES -- If the American people have to deal with less money in our pockets and ever-decreasing pensions, WHAT MAKES CONGRESS THINK THEY SHOULD BE EXEMPT? 

CLICK HERE to send Blast Faxes to EVERY SINGLE U.S. SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE, to DEMAND that Congress PASS H.R. 204, the "Congressional Pay Cut Act," and H.R. 2913, to END the Congressional Pension Plan -- Congress Should NOT be exempt from the sacrifices it will take to balance the budget! 

A few months ago, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance released a report titled "Are Taxpayers Getting Their Money's Worth? An Analysis of Congressional Compensation." The report detailed the fact that members of Congress make $174,000 per year -- but it actually adds up to $285,000 when benefits are included. Considering that the country is on the verge of bankruptcy with a $14.9 trillion debt, it's OUTRAGEOUS to think that a DO-NOTHING CONGRESS earns that much money, while the American people continue to suffer economically thanks to their actions -- or inactions. 
Thankfully, several pieces of legislation have been introduced this Congress in both the House and the Senate to cut Member salaries and curb gold-plated Member retirement benefits, including the ONLY bill introduced in the 112th Congress by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (who is recovering from an assassination attempt): H.R. 204, the "Congressional Pay Cut Act." These proposals show that compensation reductions can result in real deficit savings. For example, a five percent cut to the $174,000 Member salary would save $50 million over a ten-year window, while a ten percent pay cut would save $100 million. Adjustments to Member benefit packages, which can be worth 47% of salaries, according to reports, could also result in millions of dollars in deficit savings. 

United States Members of Congress are more generously compensated than legislators in almost every other country in the world. Legislators in the developed nations receive on average salaries that are 2.3 times higher than the average full-time worker, while OUR legislators receive salaries that are 3.4 times higher than the average full-time wage. Only members of Japan's legislature, earning a salary 3.7 times higher than Japanese workers, outpace Members of our Congress! 

The last time Members of Congress took a cut in pay was on April 1, 1933 - in the middle of a Great Depression. At a time of similar economic turmoil and record deficits, Congress should not require sacrifices of others without tightening its own belt! 

CLICK HERE to send Blast Faxes to EVERY SINGLE U.S. SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE, to DEMAND that Congress PASS H.R. 204, the "Congressional Pay Cut Act," and H.R. 2913, to END the Congressional Pension Plan -- Congress Should NOT be exempt from the sacrifices it will take to balance the budget! 

This is a bipartisan effort. More than two dozen Members of the House, from both sides of the aisle (11 Republicans and 14 Democrats), even sent a letter to the so-called "Super Committee" asking them to cut lawmakers' pay as the 12-member panel works to reach a deficit-reduction deal before its Thanksgiving deadline. 

The "Super Committee" FAILED in its appointed task -- but YOU AND I can still FORCE Congress to DO THE RIGHT THING in this area. 

In contrast to the sweet salary deal that our do-nothing Members of Congress get, the typical American family has seen income fall the past three years in a row. Congress has no business calling on US for increased sacrifices, if they're not willing to do this one thing. 
In conjuction with the effort to cut Congressional salaries, The Hill's poll also pointed out that Americans want to eliminate their Congressional pensions. Thankfully, Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) has proposed H.R. 2913, which would put an END to the "defined benefit retirement plan" available to all Members of Congress... AND the cushy pensions ex-Members of Congress receive. 

You see, it's not just the fact that current Members "rake it in" with their nice little plan. A recent Roll Call analysis published earlier this year found that the pensions for former Members are likely to cost taxpayersat least $26 MILLION in 2011 alone. Did you know that former Rep. Anthony Weiner, who resigned after sending lewd pictures of himself over Twitter, might still collect more than $1 millionM in pension benefits? 

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL: Did you know that current law BARS Members from opting out of the pension plan, too? 

THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED NOW! 

CLICK HERE to send Blast Faxes to EVERY SINGLE U.S. SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE, to DEMAND that Congress PASS H.R. 204, the "Congressional Pay Cut Act," and H.R. 2913, to END the Congressional Pension Plan -- Congress Should NOT be exempt from the sacrifices it will take to balance the budget! 

These are extremely difficult economic times and we are in a debt crisis that will require sacrifices on the part of all Americans. Congress needs to set an example for the country -- and cutting their pay and ending their pension plan would be a good start. CONGRESS SHOULD PROVE THEY'RE WILLING TO SHARE IN THE SACRIFICE. That's why we've made it EASY to make your voice heard LOUD AND CLEAR on this issue -- please take actionNOW! 

Respectfully, 

Conservative Action Alerts 
www.conservativeactionalerts.com 

P.S. Yes, passing H.R. 204 and H.R. 2913 might look fairly symbolic. But really, this would be a huge start. And if we start talking about staffing money and retirement packages, it could grow significantly -- like we said, pensions for former Members alone are likely to cost taxpayers at least $26 million, JUST in 2011. PLEASE, take action RIGHT AWAY to DEMAND that Congress cut their salaries and end their sweet pension plan -- they should be making sacrifices along with the rest of America! Thank you!