NationStates Jolt Archive

I would agree that businesses and banks receiving bailout help should refrain from ostentation displays of wealth (flying first class, big parties at resorts, junkets, golf tournaments, etc).

But should we also consider that the Congress should refrain from such activity as well? After all, if we consider that as recently as 2004, the very same Democrats who told us that there was nothing wrong with Fannie Mae (Senator Barney Frank, for example and Christopher Dodd) are still in charge, should we hold them to the same standard?

Austerity measures, say.

Forcible austerity.

http://hotair.cachefly.net/images/2009-02/dilbert-bailout.jpg

For the most part, I agree with that. I see no reason why congressmen should get perks and privileges far and beyond what their average constituent gets. I don't see why our paid representatives get free healthcare that more than half of Americans can't afford. I see no reason why congressmen should get long paid vacations 2 or 3 times a year when many working people have never had one.

Can't really change this image of Congress in the past, but the perception of Congress tightening it's belt can go a long way to reestablishing consumer confidence which in turn can have as dramatic an effect on the economy as any other government action if not more so.

Absolutely.

I wonder if the thought has crossed their minds.

I've seen a few CEOs (Detroit automakers) offer to work for 1 dollar a year. Most Senators and Congressmen are rich folk - so I think it's fair that the rich ones take a temporary pay cut to 1 dollar a year.

I wonder if the thought has crossed their minds.

I've seen a few CEOs (Detroit automakers) offer to work for 1 dollar a year. Most Senators and Congressmen are rich folk - so I think it's fair that the rich ones take a temporary pay cut to 1 dollar a year.

I'm sure the thought has crossed Obama's. He seems to have a strong grasp on the power of perception. I'm sure the thought has crossed the minds of other very intelligent people in economics and politics both in and out of congress. Unfortunately, the only thing lower than the attention spans and intelligence of the American Public is Congress' opinions of the attention spans and intelligence of the American Public. I think that's why Obama is such a powerful speaker: He comes off as an intelligent man speaking to intelligent people and not as a halfwit talking down to quarterwits.

They should introduce such measures, but they probably won't.

Obama had the right idea in his speech that he(and by extension all politicians ) should sacrifice.