Do You Feel Sorry For This Congressman, Suffering On Only $172K A Year?
Jeff Simon writes in the WaPo:
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) lamented in a closed-door meeting Wednesday that his staff can get rich as lobbyists while he is "stuck here making $172,000," according to the National Review Online.NRO's Jonathan Strong reports that Gingrey said that staff may not make a lot of money on Capitol Hill, "but in a few years they can just go to K Street and make $500,000 a year. Meanwhile I'm stuck here making $172,000."
During the meeting, Republicans discussed a proposal to exempt lawmakers and their staff from a new law requiring them to participate in federal health-care exchanges.
Gingrey and other lawmakers expressed concern about the financial toll the new law would take on them on their staffs.
Wow, just like regular people.
Gingrey, per the NRO piece, has a net worth of at least $3 million. To his credit, he is trying to end the subsidy.
In fairness, people compare themselves to their peers. A lawyer or doctor could similarly lament that while they make only $172,000, their former classmates makes $500,000.
I think the obscene part is that lobbyists make so much, not that Congressmen do.
Snoopy at September 19, 2013 6:22 AM
There's a peculiar paradox in Washington: the federal workforce is both underpaid and overpaid. Once you understand it, however, you'll understand why all roads lead to mediocrity.
First, the overpaid folks. Quite a few of the bureaucrats and congressmen here are indeed paid too much. It's the Peter Principle in action. Having reached their level of incompetence, they never leave. Civil service protection and seniority count for a great deal. If you ever wondered why the chair of a committee has no clue about the laws his committee oversees, this is your explanation.
Now, let's deal with the underpaid folks. Given how much power a judge or congressman has, underpaying them is actually a problem. Back in my paralegal days, first year associate attorneys had a higher starting salary than SUPREME COURT JUSTICES--and that's before any bonuses were thrown in, which judges don't get. I knew a brilliant partner who turned down the chance to become a federal judge because it would mean a massive pay cut. Plus, genuinely talented people in the federal bureaucracy or in congress usually don't stay there. They can make quite a bit more money in lobbying or the private sector, plus they get to leave the aforementioned overpaid mediocrities behind.
As Dan Quayle once observed: "Life is like a box of chocolates. You get what you pay for." We don't want to reform the civil service or impose term limits, and we don't want to pay competitive salaries for the scary smart people. We have no right to be surprised by mediocrity.
Hubbard at September 19, 2013 7:05 AM
Amy, how could you? Conan's gonna be all over you for declaring "class warfare."
Patrick at September 19, 2013 7:40 AM
To his credit, he is arguing that he and his fellow politicians shouldn't get special treatment. I don't care about his 'net worth'. I only care that his net worth doesn't grow at the expense of the rest of us.
Sabrina at September 19, 2013 8:23 AM
He has to maintain two residences, one in his home state and one in DC, which is a very expensive place to live.
NicoleK at September 19, 2013 8:50 AM
So, if you are living in DC, 170k is lower middle class for a small family. In the suburbs (depending on which state you're in) it's lower to upper middle class. It isn't BIG BUCKS. The big bucks are established doctors (who didn't have 200k of loans from med school because they're over 50), lawyers, and more senior people who work for contractors for the government. Also, some engineers, etc.
Also in the upper middle to upper class are "retired" military. People who got housing allowances back in the day (tax free) and bought homes they then rented, then retired after 20-30 years as a Colonel or Lt. Colonel... and basically went back to their job as a civilian (sometimes while taking in retirement pay from the military).
That said, I wouldn't say "only" 170k. There is no requirement that they have a residence in DC, and their offices are paid for by the taxpayers. If they are from, say, West Virginia, that 170ish goes a LONG way and the commute isn't onerous.
Also, if he feels "stuck" he can always leave :)
As for the rest of the federal workforce being over/underpaid. The comment about mediocrity is apt. There are folks who do NO work. On the other hand, what seems like a lot of money to people NOT in the area, isn't much. If one of the hard working engineers or statisticians from the government worked in the private sector IN THE SAME geographical area, he or she would almost always make more money (even including benefits). Sometimes loads more. I have only seen one case where that was not true, and the person was basically being abused by a contractor company manager.
Shannon M. Howell at September 19, 2013 9:13 AM
Feh. I wish I made "only" 170k. What a whiny crybaby.
Flynne at September 19, 2013 9:42 AM
I highly recommend Mark Leibovich's new book This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral-Plus, Plenty of Valet Parking!-in America's Gilded Capital, which delves into the wealth gap between high-up politicos and established lobbyists.
The politicians make six figures, and many of them, in Leibovich's telling, are merely putting in their time before they can switch to lobbying, which is far more lucrative that even described here -- tenfold, in some cases. Clearly those "K Street" paychecks aren't close enough on the horizon for Rep. Gingrey, and his service to the people is just a waystation on the Gravy Train Express.
Kevin at September 19, 2013 9:43 AM
Quite frankly, for the quality of work they put out, I say that all congress members should get be paid at the prior year's median wage.
So if the median wage goes down so does their pay.
That would give them and incentive to always do the best for businesses.
Jim P. at September 19, 2013 10:12 AM
I've long advocated for doing away with congressional pensions and benefits, and paying congressmen a flat one million dollars a year. It would attract better people to the job who otherwise won't endure it for $172K while maintaining two residence.
Think $1,000,000 is expensive, compare that to what a cheaper less capable politician wastes.
Maybe give them a bonus every year the budget is balanced.
Trust at September 19, 2013 10:23 AM
So let him resign his seat.
Problem solved.
dee nile at September 19, 2013 10:40 AM
> So if the median wage goes down so does their pay.
> That would give them and incentive to always do
> the best for businesses.
Don't businesses benefit if wages go down?
Snoopy at September 19, 2013 11:22 AM
I would have said give them a set salary and the only raises they ever get are an annual raise to match the rate of inflation.
But I like Jim P's idea much better.
Patrick at September 19, 2013 3:40 PM
I could send Gingrey some cheese to go with that whine. If he's hurting from li'l ol' Obammycare, he can call the waaaaaaaaaambulance!
mpetrie98 at September 19, 2013 6:12 PM
The fast-food and c-Store industries will always be close-to minimum wage jobs. (I'll leave the argument about minimum wage to another day.)
But if there are more tech or specialized jobs the wages will rise. Basically it is the argument that all boats will rise.
Jim P. at September 19, 2013 6:47 PM
The founding fathers never intended for Congress to be a career. There shouldn't be a pension in the first place.
I'm also in favor of term limits for Congress.
Another one is that I think that the 17th should be repealed. And add an amendment that the House should only represent 150K per.
Try to get 1300 reps to vote for something.
Jim P. at September 19, 2013 6:54 PM
Jim P., would you mind sharing where you heard that the FFs never meant for Congress to be a career? Thanks!
NicoleK at September 20, 2013 5:36 AM
The Federalist Papers No. 53
And Mark Levin summarized it in the Liberty Amendments.
Jim P. at September 20, 2013 7:08 PM
Add in Jerferson's letter to Madison:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16782/16782-h/16782-h.htm#link2H_4_0119
Jim P. at September 22, 2013 12:03 AM
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