What are the Benefits that Lawmakers Give to Themselves?

Sixteen Senators and what do you get? “Another day older and deeper in debt. Senators Sanders and Leahy don’t you call me cause I can’t go. I owe my soul to the company (stole).”

We spend a broken record’s worth of time in repetitive cadence about the vagaries of entitlements, the disabled, the plight of the elder poor, the kids, and then just your general poor people, not to mention the downtrodden middleclass.

As reported here on iBrattleboro, a letter written by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and signed by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and 14 other (Democratic) senators urges the president “not to propose cutting Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits in your fiscal year 2015 budget” for these “most vulnerable people in America” (the poor et cetera people, elderly, retired, disabled, needy, destitute, etc.).

On February 20th the Sanders contact person Michael Briggs posted this update: Sanders Welcomes White House Decision to Protect Social Security https://www.ibrattleboro.com/sections/politics/sanders-welcomes-white-house-decision-protect-social-security

Maybe most people just stare into the headlights when they read yet another story about the poor. They might not care what politicians say because they are the numbers everybody and the politicians talk about. Being poor is in their blood.

That doesn’t mean, however, that they are not curious.

Oh, they are very curious. Especially to see how the other half lives. You see a lot of that in the public-fare available from the media. Televised shows are rife with the glitter and glamour of the rich and famous. Americans just can’t get enough of it.

For the purposes of this article, then, the other-half in question are the lawmakers. Why don’t we take a look at that?

Now who would be the logical choice to initiate an enumeration of the entitlements/benefits for national office holders to report to the Vermont people just “what are” the benefits that lawmakers give to themselves?

It seems that the lawmakers who vote to make the entitlement/benefits laws for the rest of us would be the perfect choice to show how our national legislators are holding up in these difficult times.

I’m not asking any of us to Google this information. That carries no symbol meaning or gesture. It would be instructive and humane if we knew, with easy access, what the benefits are for our national legislators.

It would be good to see the selfless and gallant nature that makes up the moral fiber of our ruling body.

So, explain it to us like you would to a child. What are the benefits that lawmakers enjoy while in office and when out of office?

You might think I already know what legislators give to themselves versus what they give to us – we the people. (Ah. There’s that damn pesky phrase again. Thanks Abe.)

You’re right, I do (or at least have a good idea). But me, telling you, what national legislator benefits are is not the same as hearing it from the horse’s mouth.

Can Vermont’s two senators enumerate the entitlements/benefits received by national office holders and report this to the Vermont people? After all, Senator Sanders is a senior member of the Finance committee and Senator Leahy is on the Judiciary. Both offices carry significant prestige.

This website, iBrattleboro is used often enough by both Senators for their public outreach. They could publish a “Legislator Benefits” report here. Or, provide easy access information to where the report can easily be found.

I think it would do Vermonters and the American people a lot of good if we spell out to them just what are the “entitlements/benefits” that lawmakers give to themselves? And, how does it compare to the entitlements/benefits they give to “We the People.”

It is, after all, a question of law.

~Vidda Crochetta