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Forum Post: GOP Rep Whines That He's "Stuck Here Making $172,000 a Year"

Posted 10 years ago on Sept. 18, 2013, 8:17 p.m. EST by grimwomyn (35) from New York, NY
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

The world's tiniest violin is playing for Georgia Republican House member Phil Gingrey, who's very troubled by his inability to make ends meet on $172,000 a year:

Capitol Hill aides, he said “may be 33 years old now and not making a lot of money. But in a few years they can just go to K Street,” the Washington, D.C., vernacular for becoming a lobbyist, “and make 500,000 a year. Meanwhile I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year.”

Back in the real world, of course, there's nothing stopping Gingrey from retiring and cashing in. Meanwhile last year the median household income in the United States was $51,017 a year. And that's for a household. Gingrey's wife has her own earning potential. What's more, Gingrey is currently eligible for a full pension alongside his Social Security benefits any time he chooses to step down.

There's a decent case that congressional pay ought to be raised (to reduce incentives to drop out and cash in), but objective economic hardship among members of congress is not part of that case.

Original article

10 Comments

10 Comments


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[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

My God My Heart just bleeds. The asshole should try living on 25,000. These people(?) are completely out of touch with reality.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

$12,000

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Yep as $ 25,000 is still pretty good money to millions of people.

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

TWEET

DKAtoday ‏@DKAtoday

Rep. Phil Gingrey Whines: "I'm Stuck Here Making $172,000 a Year" http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/09/18/phil_gingrey_whines_i_m_stuck_here_making_172_000_a_year.html?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=sm&utm_campaign=button_toolbar … via @mattyglesias

My <3 just bleeds 4 th schmuck

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

Of course he didn't have as much as a single issue, with cutting food stamps to people who will be lucky to make that much money in 20 years time.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017146837

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

At these prices for an SPN get together, it's no wonder.

http://www.mackinac2013.org/faqs/

You don't want to know what a suite of rooms costs.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Not to overlook his statement about lobbyists pay. The assholes should be illegal.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Sounds like the ass should try living within his means. Or imagine doing it for less than $25,000 a year.