Just when you think, Congress couldn’t shove their non-interest in the struggles of American people in our faces any more, they go and start speaking. It seems like they are doing this just to remind us they couldn’t care less about the pain of regular people. You just can’t make this stuff up.
Republican Representative from North Carolina, Renee Ellmers is the latest congress person to shove their foot in their mouths and their privilege in our faces. She made the statement that she would not be deferring her paycheck during the government shut down. She needs her money.
Some members of Congress have given up their paychecks to show solidarity with the average citizens who have been furloughed. The furloughs have taken place because Congress has failed to pass a budget that would allow the Government to work. And as you may already know, most members of Congress are millionaires and not living pay check to pay check like many of the people laid off during this time.
According to Forward Progressives, Rep. Ellmers said:
“I need my paycheck. That’s the bottom line. I understand that there may be some other members who are deferring their paychecks, and I think that’s admirable. I’m not in that position.”
Now she may very well need her paycheck — I’m not doubting that. But then so do the over 800,000 Americans the government shutdown has put on furlough who might not be receiving theirs.
But I guess it’s nice to need your paycheck and still be getting it. That’s not something hundreds of thousands of Americans can say right now thanks to the right-wing antics going on in Congress.
To be fair, Rep. Ellmers isn’t the only one in Congress who’s opting to receive pay during the shutdown. There are plenty of others, both Democrats and Republicans, who are choosing to collect their paycheck. If you ask me, none of them should be paid for not doing their job — which is why they should pass Democratic Rep. Rick Nolan’s “No Government, No Pay” act (but they probably won’t).
The lives of thousands hang in the balance right now while people like Rep. Ellmers simply prove they don’t get it. Her official website lists her husband as a general surgeon. Now what exactly does a general surgeon make, you ask? Well, according to CNNMoney, the median pay for one comes in around $216,000 per year, with some making over $400,000.
This statement really kicks the American people in the side because just with Rep. Ellmers husband’s paycheck, they would be in the top 2 percent of the wealthiest Americans in this country when it comes to income. However, this struggling 2 percenter NEEDS HER PAYCHECK?
Just imagine if the top 2 percent of income earners in this country need their paycheck, then what are the bottom 50 percent of the work force going through? They must be living in hell because the fear of another paycheck not coming in could mean disaster for their future.
People are bordering the line of foreclosure, electricity being shut off, their credit ruined, and not eating because they are at the end of their financial ropes, but we are suppose to be concerned over a Congresswoman in the top 2 percent needing her paycheck?
These people clearly don’t represent the interest of the people. And we would be some stone cold fools for re-electing any of these clowns.
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