The White House has a new program that allows average citizens to post petitions on any subject. Any petition that gets at least 5000 signatures gets news coverage and government attention. (The largest so far is a petition to legalize pot with 18,000 signatures).
I got the idea that, with a 12 percent approval rating, congressmen and senators of BOTH parties should take a pay cut of their own before asking any of us lose benefits and services. This SHOULD be a bi-partisan idea."
Here is a copy of the petition and the link to sign it:
We petition the Obama Administration to:
Cut Congressional and staff pay and benefits before asking average Americans to take massive cuts in services
The average Congressional salary is $174,000 per year plus benefits. If cutting the deficit and balancing the budget is so vital, Congress and their staff should take an immediate 30 percent pay cut before asking average Americans to accept any cuts in services.
Furthermore, If Congressional action (or lack of it) forces a government shutdown, members of the House and Senate and their staff should forfeit their pay for the entire duration of the shutdown and NOT be paid back for that period after the government resumes operation.
Finally, all future Congressional pay raises should be determined by a constituient referendum vote. No member of Congress should be allowed to vote himself a pay raise.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION
Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 7:35 AM PT: I need one more vote to make this petition "seaarchable" and 4850 to make it viable. Thanks!