To: greenspirit who wrote (8718 ) 5/23/2001 2:35:15 AM From: KLP Read Replies (4) | Respond to of 59480 Michael and All~~ Thinking of the Senate, and House...I've been wondering...if we, as citizens, can find out exactly what ALL the health, pension, etc...benefits of being a US Senator, and US Rep are....Perhaps the Congress would be more responsive to us. After all, the taxpayers are the ones who pay their salaries, and ALL the benefits. Therefore, we are and should be called, the US Taxpayers Company!!!!! What allowances do they get for what? Are all foreign junkets paid for by the taxpayers? For everyone who wants to go? Who do they answer to? What were individual expenses for each of the last 5 years, and if possible, what were the totals for the Senate, and the House for all costs, broken down of course. Do these people even have a single clue how much it takes to run households in these times.... Some people on the PGWB board have thought the tax cuts were "just for the wealthy"....Well, just who in the heck is paying the taxes. The top 1% of the taxpayers pay 25% of the income tax...I believe the top 10% pays over 50% of the taxes (will have to look that up). Then, when we get going on the Senate and House, we can start listing all the Union Leaders...salaries, health benefits, retirement benefits, etc etc etc.Back on The US Tax Payers Company: I've wondered why we can't/don't/haven't so far MADE the insurance companies give all of us who are taxpayers access to every single medical insurance company from which the Senate and House members their benefits. We hear frequently from insurance companies, that they can't give individuals or small companies the same (and much cheaper rates) as the rates for larger companies, as there isn't: Quote: "a large enough risk pool" Unquote. Well, I've been thinking we do in fact have a HUGE risk pool, and is the citizens who pay taxes, and support ALL the government employees and PAY for their benefits. Our rates could be MUCH cheaper, we could all have decent coverage, and good choices, and this way, we could avoid socialized medicine. Perhaps even start another thread with this information...