Congressmen who commit crimes deserve NO PENSION !

[texpatriot2004]

Congressmen (state and federal) who commit crimes should get NO Pension! How can we lobby to strip them of this privilege?

[afdip]

1. whoa...do you mean cunningham will still get his pension???

or maybe it will be pro rated for years in which he was not caught stealing (accepting/soliciting bribes).

[texpatriot2004]

11. Yes, Cunningham keeps his pension. n.t

[KingFlorez]

2. I agree wholeheartedly

I think we need to raise our voices in opposition to pension for criminal congressmen.

[Yupster]

19. I don't think any congressman should get

a pension.

I don't think it should be a career. Let a person do a few terms of "public service" and then go back to his career.

[liveoaktx]

3. VIDEO

the Hill

[texpatriot2004]

12. Unbelievable. Cunningham should get NO pension and NO

"privileges." Period.

[Hepburn]

4. I agree.....if.....

...the criminal conduct, as with Cunningham, was related to a breach of their duties as an official of the government. I happen to think that Cunningham does deserve his military retirement pension, but as to anything from his job as a US Congressman? SCREW HIM TWICE and FEED THE BASTARD PEANUTS.

[RobertSeattle]

5. Unless they contributed to it like a 401K

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm

• Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In 1984 all members were given the option of remaining with CSRS or switching to FERS.

• As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.

Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Member's of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.

The amount of a Congressperson's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

[goodhue]

6. For me it depends on seriousness of crime, I would cut-off felons

[mndfler]

7. Definitely

It would be big savings when we can eliminate pensions for 55% of the Senate and a majority of the House!

[myrna minx]

8. This is an outrage.

We the People always get screwed.

[texpatriot2004]

15. How many citizens convicted of serious crimes, get to keep

benefits?

[myrna minx]

21. How many LAW ABIDING citizens get to keep their pensions!?!?!?

Go ask the good rank and file folks of United Airlines. :grr: This is so outrageous. One set of rules for the felonious Republicans, another for the rest of us. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[texpatriot2004]

22. A very good point you have there. Double standard for

Corrupt GOP must end now.

[MemphisTiger]

9. I agree

democrat or republican alike. This is a sham.

[texpatriot2004]

16. Exactly! nm

[OneBlueSky]

10. I'll go you one better . . . the entire Congressional pension system . . .

should be scrapped, and our representatives should be required to participate in the Social Security system -- just like the rest of us . . . the pensions they've granted themselves are beyond obscene . . . they are out and out thievery . . . we should start a movement to pledge not to vote for any House or Senate candidate who is unwilling to support such a change . . .

[JohnWxy]

13. PUT THIS ON CONGRESS.ORG

You should put this on Congress.org as a Soapbox Alert. Check it out:
CONGRESS.ORG

[texpatriot2004]

14. I hadn't see that before. Thanks for sharing the link nm

[upi402]

17. Right on! That pisses me off too.

recommended

[texpatriot2004]

18. Thanks for the recommendation. This is common sense and

should become part of the language now as a consequence to those who participate in the Culture of Corruption and the Cover-up Congress.

[ngGale]

20. Don't know how, but it's a good idea...

they should not be rewarded for bad or corrupt behavior.

[bobthedrummer]

23. Some of them deserve prosecution in addition to no pension

maybe there's just too much corruption, but surely these criminals in Congress should face prosecution and penalties.