This is a Crime initself. If Any Member of Govt Who Holds any office currently or past who is convicted of a serious crime. Should not be able to collect any type of pension. I had to work hard to get my little retirement, and am currently working just to put my kids through college. If convicted of any serious crime you should not be able to draw anything from the Govt including social security, especially if you are currently in jail. Laws need to be passed to this effect. I am a Viet/Nam vet, and I dont get anything from the Govt that I didnt earn. Dont get me wrong I love this Great Nation, I support the Military and The US Govt, and I wouldnt want to live any where else. But this type of Govt spending has got to stop, what a waste of taxpayers money --- my money going to somebody who doesnt deserve it------ I guess you get the point Proud to be an American George Oden

I also am Viet-Nam vet drawing disability which can be cut off if I am incarcerated for more than 60 days for any reason.

Turn this around the other way. Those who serve their country full time, plus, i.e military and civil servants will receive retirement benfits which are arguably lower than if they were in the civilian sector. While our representatives who barely qualify as part time employees are drawing three times that of their contemporaries in the civilian sector. GIVE ME A BREAK! That is what happens when you are in a position to control your own pay raises. Since we, the US citizens, are the employers shouldn't we determine the appropriate compensation? The system is broke.

If millions of emails, letters, and phone calls were sent to the white house and congress everyday for a month, the citizens of this great country could accomplish anything they choose. We are just too fragmented with regard to which "issue" we should attack first. If we decided on which issue to "fix", we could do it. We have to be consistent and unyielding in our efforts. Folks, we do get the governement we deserve. Let's fix it!

Congress should be paid by the hour and their pensions tied to their hours of service. Maybe that would keep them in session more.

No pensions should ever be given to offenders in any field--including non government jobs. Pension should be diverted to pay for their incarceration and establish ethical standards commissions in both governmental and business sectors.

Many members of both the house and the senate were, and are, independently wealthy when they were elected. I am a state employee and will have to work 30 years in order to receive my pension and it won't be nearly enough to cover future expenses. For someone to work just a few years in the house and perform poorly, and then receive such a large pension, is just another way the haves take advantage of the have nots.

Tom- the nation needs a little bit of a jumpstart. Let's rally an organized effort. Seriously. I'm determined on this one. I really had no idea. Thank u Blotter! There's only 300 million of us...if we can get even 1% to move, we would have serious momentum and ultimately victory on this and many other issues.

Tom- the nation needs a little jumpstart. Let's rally an organized effort. Seriously! i really had no idea about this. Thank u, Blotter! There's only 300 million of us. if we got less than 1% to move we would have serious momentum and ultimate victory. who's in? we only need a few leaders to start a grassroots campaign.

Reform ? These people are not going to change They will put out some watered down bill and still rip off everyone they can Shame on America we put up with this Its time to start raising hell Its our country lets make them answer for the lies and stealing The press should start doing its job also.

The Richer get Richer and the Poorer get Poorer. And all the while I am busting my ASS!!!!!

I agree wholeheartedly! My husband has been retired 19 years, and even though he was a certified manufacturing engineer, over the years since we have been retired we are probably not even in the middle class. I guess there is no more middle class

Isn't that why our senators and congresspeople, reps, go into government? They get planted and then don't have to work. Can screw the people and still come out comfy in their old age even in prison! This needs to change!
But alas, those who run the country will keep it in "study clubs, etc. and it never happens!
I am a democrat, waiting for the hammer to fall and if it doesn't, vote all their asses out in 2008.

Social Security should not be included in any revocation of pension benefits based on a conviction. Social Security is based on taxes the individual and their employer have paid, and are not a benefit like a pension would be.

"My fellow Americans" We voted in our so called defenders of the constitution,and the so called representatives of the people,only to be duped again. Wealth and Political influence wins again,these people should be held to the same standard as everyone else. You commit the crime you do the time and pay the fine.
I have seen retirement and benifits from military and government civilian service denied because of criminal infraction.
Randall Cunningham, Bob Ney and Mark Foley should be jailed,fined and loose all their benefits.They missused and disgraced their political office,but here we are again money and political influence wins again

While I can perfectly understand the anger and dismay, I am afraid that I must disagree with the previous comments. I think cooler heads should prevail. Here's why: pensions are a form of deferred pay and a piece is earned each year in lieu of pay. It is unfair to take away the entire pension, presumably earned over many years of good service, simply because of a transgression in the last few years. The best recourse is to FINE and/or IMPRISON the individual for his/her crime.

Interestingly, ERISA has a "bad boy" clause for company pensions, which makes it illegal for a company to take away a person's pension even if that person has committed "crimes" against the company. I honestly believe the same rules should apply to all pensions, including Governmental ones.

As I said, the best recourse is to fine and also, if warranted, jail the individual. That is the fairest and best way to take away his/her "property", and would mean that the same rules apply to criminals in the public and private sector.

I say all this even though I know that the lump sum value of that pension payable for life with inflation indexing could easily be about 16 times the annual pension, or more: So $60,000 a year is worth around a million dollars as a lump sum! The members of Congress sure know how to take of themselves!

The biggest "crime" in my mind, is not this particular pension issue, but rather why is it that Congess has such a generous pension(with full inflation idexing) and a full medical benefits package, while the rest of us poor saps increasingly find ourselves in a situation where employers are continually cutting back these benefits for us. Perhaps if Congress were to cut back on its own package in accordance with current trends in the private sector it might have a better appreciaton as to what is happening to ordinary folks in the real world!

Oh yes, let's not forget that employers continue to take really good care of their executives. People would be absolutely shocked if they were to discover exactly how generous executive benefits are. After all, let's not let these precious execs have to worry about such mundane things as pensions and medical benefits in their retirement -- they are too important to be distracted by such petty concerns. As for the rest of us, well we don't count !

These arrogant slimballs know when they get elected that they will not lose their benefits no matter what they do.

After thirty seven years working in the union trades I recently retired and I hope these politicians do not find a way of screwing me out of it.

Being a former veteran, I agree with stripping all pensions and benefits from these crooks. That will send the rest of them a message. The only time these clowns will take any action is when money is involved, to strip them of their benefits might make them think twice before getting into illegal activities.

tc

If convicted politicians still get their pensions which they never paid in for, then lets restore SSI & disability for convicted citizens who paid into it all their lives . A presidential decree took it away from them and leave the families of the felons often destitute . Please mention that some time .
Helga Dill , Chair , TX CURE
( Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants )

I, am to ashamed to post anything on this issue. May GOD help the people who cannot understand the simplicity of right from wrong. There is no reason, as there is no excuse for these acts.

Remember we are dealing with politicians not real people. Politicians are imune to the justice system. Prisons were built to house law breakers. If a politician happens to go to a correction facility, it is usually a minimum security golf course,tennis court,private room facility,or a rehab center, what is wrong with this picture?

Politicians are crimminals in suits

We the shareholders need a wholesale change in the governmental system that is broken

FIRE the politicians, start over

I don't believe any political job should pay any retirement. We should not have professional politicians they are the biggest problem that this country has. No one should be allowed to hold a national political office unless they are at least 60 years old and have earned a living in the private sector for at least 30 years. Then the political offices could pay a very livable wage but no benefits and no retirement service should be a service and not a career.

those pigs are already fat from eating at the public trough. even the honest ones are overpaid. they have huge expense/office accounts. familys get lobbyist jobs keep a portion of campain expenses,in addition to never paying for meals travel ent etc. these guys should have to live like everday working stiffs. they cater to rich who contribute to their partys, and the poor who exchange votes for wellfare. the working class pays carrys the load for all these freeloaders.

agree with tom webster.also with the guy who said press not doing their job. times are right for a 3rd party to represent middle class. they are being screwed by the politicians. if pols are underpaid,why do you see guys spending $2,ooo,ooo to land a job that pays $200,000?

I bet the politicians are all looking at each other, and hoping this goes away...What about all their speeches to get into office; "I am going to clean up Wahsington!" How the heck does a guy, in prison draw a 64K pension and no one raises the red flag??? A guy fights for his country, medically retired. Ex..vietnam vet...lives out of his car...gets 256 a month...never stole a thing in his life...still loyal to his country and people...maybe we should divert these "thiefs" pensions to the ones who deserve it.

If it's the Law, I see nothing wrong with them collecting their pension. Congress needs to look a the system and chenge it if needed.

I hope the Democrat lead house and senate also reviews the scores of convicted democrat members receiving bloated pensions too. I think there should term limits of 3 terms so not representative of the people becomes a career politician and has to work pay taxes and wait for that pension.

A rule of thumb is:
The only difference between Jesse (James) and your average politician is-----Jesse carried a gun!

What? Support Congressional crooks who get caught and convicted with American taxpayers' money? What an absolute absurdity. Yep, crime does pay when the "government" runs the show.

Not only are we providing their housing, clothing and food while they are in the pen, but pay them rather handsome "pen"shuns to boot!

I would urge those still in Congress to: (1) pass legislation not only scrapping Federal pension benefits to those vultures that betray public trust RETROACTIVELY (back to 1900 or so,} and;(2) I also would put into that law that they would be liable for REPAYMENT of every cent that they were paid while stealing us blind.

Madam Speaker Elect Pelosi we are counting on you. Please do not fail the American people.

wow, this is enough to make a lawyer jealous.

Why not make the law taking the pensions away from those convicted of crimes? Our Congress always acts like it is a big brotherhood that has vowed to take care of each other financially, no matter what. Only problem, it isn't Congress's money, it is OUR money, and, most of us don't want these criminals rewarded for bad behavior that way. If they break the law, fire them and NO pay like any other job. Washington is beginning to seem like the Mafia machine. Cross THEM and you get the boot, but, cross the people and you get a pat on the back and a fistful of our money every month
of the rest of their lives.

It is a shame that in this day and time, in this country unlike any other that we the people are still getting screwed! We do not reward criminals in this country, they are no different!!!!!!!!!!!!

This situation is a crying shame to all americans. These people in congress should not get a pension if they serve one term or 100 terms. Taxpayers money should be spent elsewhere. Congress payraises should be voted on by the people, if they do a good job then maybe they get a raise. IF they perform poorly then no raise.

WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP THIS, I AM RETIRED USN AND IF I MESSED UP WHILE IN THE NAVY I COULD HAVE LOST IT ALL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT, WE NEED TO STOP THIS. AGAIN WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

I still would like to know how rich people can make decisions for non-rich people? Also has anyone figured out what a politician gets for health care and what they pay from their pockets? They have the best our taxes can buy which is why they can't fix the problems most Americans face everyday. If they don't feel it they won't react to it. Thats why they have everything so good. They have taken care of themselves and not the people who elected them. It amazes me how we can waste so much money on war's for nothing and the families and retiries of our nation can't get the assistance they need. But the politicans get what they need and want. We pay the taxes. We obey the laws. Politicians are taken care of. We get screwed. Doesn't sound so great does it.

The bible speaks about wickedness in high places, and the positions of congressmen and senators are the highest in the land! It is really a shame the american people allow this to continue!

I guess crime really does pay. How do I send this to evefybody I know?