White House pay raises lift the ceiling

You have to admire Bush Administration logic. It is so convenient.

COLA raises for staff and free health care for all. No pre-existing condition exclusions, no deductable, no co-pay, free prescriptions. Then there's the no employee contribution pension.

But screw the poor kids' health insurance (once you're out of the womb, you're on your own.), kids in foster care age out at age 18, after all their just like our own kids minus the linear supoport system (good luck, God bless).

Then there's the one that really, really annoys me, minimum wage: If COLAs are good enough for Administration staff, why aren't COLAs good enough for the poor and/or a kid trying to put themselves through college. This is the kind of seed money that people need to reach the next rung on the fairness and economic ladder.

The Department of Dubya's mantra is "I've got mine and ours and screw you."

Just the same as under the previos administrations.

While we all may think that the salary of White House staff is extreme I would have to disagree. Most staff at the White House or on Capital hill put in A LOT of over time. I once worked with a woman who had to miss her family vacation to Paris because a bill got pushed to the House floor at the last minute. The rent in D.C. is extremely high, transportation costs to work is also extremely high. To live and work in D.C. is expensive. When you work at the White House or in Congress it is because you believe in the ideas of our country and it is your passion. It is not something that you think you will make a lot of money at. So is the cost of living increase that was given to staff high, no, I don't think so

I think the fact that there is no COLA for the minimum wage is ridiculous, but we as a nation need to take responsibility for that, not just the Bush Administration.

Where is Bruce's comment?

The Constitution hs been able to protect us against everything but a permanent political class. Pay them more if they promise to do nothing.

Doug, you need another chill pill. All government workers get free health care, which to me whether at the federal, state or local levels needs to end.
But before you whine about White House staff pay, how about taking a look at the approx. $120,000 a year your alderman get paid? Or the size of their budgets? And, to do what? Screw the Chicago and Illinois taxpayer over and over and over and over.
Look at the nonsense your party does to the American people, the people of Illinois, the people of Crooked County and the people of Chicago every stinkin' day!

Crooked County and the people of Chicago every stinkin' day!

Posted by: John D | July 30, 2007 12:27 PM

"Crooked County"?

Seriously, Little-Johnny D?

You're like a parody of a parody of a childish dolt.

Seriously? It's okay that Bush's team makes too much money and screws people because 'alderman' do it? First of all, two wrongs don't make a right....did your mother forget to teach you that one? Secondly, this administration spends $10 billion a MONTH on Iraq. I could be wrong, but I don't think in the history of alderman have they ever screwed taxpayers out of that much money. You're wrong John D, but if attacking the Democrats make you feel better about the corrupt state of your own party, go right ahead. After all, the GOP only has about 18 months of influence left. Enjoy them, because it'll be a cold day in hell before the American people trust the Republican party to hold any elected office, except perhaps dog catcher or township supervisor.

Thats some serious rounding up you are doing Johnny D.
Yes alderman are overpaid but you don't have to lie about it.

This is no different than what has always been done Dems or Repubs. Having lived in the DC area I can tell you it strained my family's mid 6 figure income.

While it may be true some people work at the WH out of some sense of patriotism lets not be so naive that we don't know that this is the best place to launch yourself into a better higher paying politically connected job, the real reason most people take the pay cut to work there.

I bet the people who do the REAL work aren't the ones raking in the dough. I remember a novel along those lines regarding appropriations but the title escapes me.

Not all government workers get free health insurance. We may not pay as much as everyone else does, perhaps a lower rate due to the negotiations between the health care companies and OPM, but it is not free. And the salaries the White House Staffers get are high. However, they have chosen to live and work there. It really chafes me that the high level folks get the free health care, they get the COLA's, free prescriptions, etc while the rest of us have to settle for the crumbs. And all of these high level folks have gotten way too big for the britches they wear. I don't feel one bit sorry for them for all of the trouble they have caused our country.

These salaries are minuscule compared to the "part-time" job of an alderman, Directors or Commissioner of any city or state agency or department. The fairness factor should be considered in regards to their free health care, the common person is screwed on that issue.

Janet, dear... the annual alderman salary right now is about $100,000 a year with increases in the next three yearsto make nearly $115,000 a year, plus they get nearly $40,000 a year for expenses.

"..how about taking a look at the approx. $120,000 a year your alderman get paid?..."

Posted by: John D | July 30, 2007 12:27 PM

"...the annual alderman salary right now is about $100,000..."

Posted by: John D | July 30, 2007 2:32 PM

In your crazy, lying mind, how are those two statements both true?

Janet, dear, I fully understand the reading and comprehension problems you face are too much for you to handle. Their current salary is $103,000 a year. They also get about $35,000 to cover their expenses. So, in reality, their salary is $138,000 a year, even more than the $120,000 I first cited. So, I guess you got me! But in the end I am right and you, as usual, are wrong!

I have to hand it to our Goverment as far as the running of the White House is concerned, They pick at things such as Health Care Reform, Jobs and Wages, Housing Forclosures due to the loss of jobs here in the United States, and last but not least Oil Prices. Yet here we sit paying outragous wages so that they are comfortable ? Stop it people ! Is not the President suppose to represent the people ? Then why may I ask is he not cutting spending starting with the White House as all Americans are doing at this time ? That is the one thing that I feel President Bush needs to answer. Yes he did work hard to get where he is at, but he should still need to make adjustments as "We the People" are already doing.