How should Congress spend Spring Break?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Congress is gearing up for a two-week spring break that starts this weekend. They must be exhausted. This afternoon, the House passed that much-anticipated $38.5 billion spending cut. It went on to the Senate where it passed as well... now lawmakers can hand it over to the president and look ahead to vacation.
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Getting out of town might be a good move.
You see, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office revealed Wednesday that the budget deal that was made at the 11th hour before a threatened government shutdown - the deal that was touted as creating the largest spending cuts in American history - will really cut only $352 million in spending this year, not $38.5 billion as we were told.
Many of the cuts will have little or no effect on how much money the government actually spends because the cuts come from programs that are outside the reach of the annual budget.
I wonder if we're ever told the truth about anything anymore.
When Congress returns all tanned and rested, the members will have just a few weeks to address raising the debt ceiling. The Treasury Department says the United States will reach its borrowing limit of about $14.3 trillion in mid-May. If Congress doesn't approve a measure to raise the debt ceiling before then, all hell could break loose. Even a hint that it might happen would shake up world markets and knock the wind out of our already weak economy.
Some Republicans insist they won't vote to raise the debt ceiling ... in the name of fiscal responsibility.
Get ready for another game of chicken.
But Congress is going to take two weeks off anyway.
Here’s my question to you: How would you suggest members of Congress spend their two week Spring Break?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Kathleen in South Carolina:
They should spend Spring Break living in a homeless shelter under the same conditions as everyone else and be required to search daily for some menial job. Living without fancy houses, cars, meals, clothes, or electronics might give them some insight into a world that they are far too willing to ignore.
Alex in Bremerton, Washington:
Help out at a food bank or homeless shelter to see how the folks at the other end of the economy live. The experience may provide those who still have a shred of humanity with a better understanding of the other America their donors never see from their gated communities.
Rick in Medina, Ohio:
I'm sorry, but this issue is a "non-starter." Perhaps you consider today a "slow news day" and simply asked the question to fill some space. I actually hope they invest some time relaxing, enjoying their families, pursuing interests and hobbies ... whatever. I don't begrudge anyone their time-off. Neither should you!
Sue in Fort Myers, Florida:
They should all be locked in a room, Obama included, with no air conditioning, no electronic devices, no food (maybe some Ramen noodles) and warm water until they can come up with a budget that is good for all of us. Maybe the "politicing" will stop.
James in North Carolina:
They could join each other for a dip in one of their favorite pork barrels.
Mike in Denver, Colorado:
How about at trip to reality? Have them live on an average salary for the week, fly coach, pump their own gas, shop for health insurance or try and make an appointment at the local V.A. hospital, talk to parents about the educational needs in their district, and perhaps even talk to that busboy or cook that just might be an illegal immigrant. In short, they need to live the problems of this country so they understand what it is like to be a person they represent.
Bill in Wisconsin:
What have they done that would lead them to think they deserve a break?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Jack,
The same as any other day, these lazy dirt bags are always on some kind of a break.
I'd like to see the bunch of them search for Amelia Earhart and not return until they've found her.
They should spend spring break by not spending any more of our money...
I hope they stay home, keep their mouth shut and stay away from the media.
This is really a no-brainer. i just read an e-mail showing some members of Congress on their computers playing games, getting ball scores and more while sitting in the Congressional Chamber.
If this was anything but in our Congress, it would mandate immediate action of the firing of anyone caught not working. Spring Break? There should be no spring break and every member of Congress should be made to stay in Washington until they come to their senses and make decisions for the benefit of all and not just their favorite group of hangers on.
We have been led down the path of division instead of the path of debate and compromise. I am appalled and disgusted by the way Washington is being run.
They should spend it online looking for new jobs, and then come back with the realization that there are none, and pass a jobs bill. Just so they might have a job when they are not re-elected.
why should congress get yet another break? they have accomplished nothing but show their employer (aka the taxpayer) that they can only behave like toddlers having a temper tantrum, engage in bully tactics (the repubs take the my way or the high way approach), refuse to dialogue or engage in the democratic process, refuse to work out their differences and make sure they won't go paycheckless with a govt shutdown while turning their backs on the military (who would go checkless) as they risk life limb and family. congress should go breakless and paycheckless until they grow up and do the people's work. only clean bills unless a provision is in it to provide term limits.
The beach where they can do no harm!hopefully!! Myrtle beach s.c.
Um, saving the country from ecomonic chaos......
My suggestion is that Congress does not take a break at all, they should treat it as another week of work. If l could not go to my boss when my work is not done and request time off without fear of being terminated then why should we let these politicians rest because of a holiday that is honored by students in high school and college ? The point is we have a mess, although l didn't vote republican or tea party but l hope they would have the honor of doing this nation justice and staying until they get this budget on track to be settled. What they forget is the politicians work for the American people, and right now the American people are not happy with either side, which should tell the politicians that were voted in to step up their efforts and get this done. – Nashville, TN
Jack: Congress needs to corner Rep. Paul Ryan and explain to him the facts of life. The rich get richer without the government giving them $200,000 on the backs of medicare recipients. Mr. Ryan does not like medicare, mediaid, and social security, because it was not the Republican's idea. These programs work take it from a senior citizen. President George W. Bush doubled the deficit from 2000 until 2008 from $4,4 trillion to $8.2 trillion. The deficit is a Republican idea.
Help out at a food bank or homeless shelter to see how the folks at the other end of the economy live. The experience may provide those who still have a shred of humanity with a better understanding of the other America their donors never see from their gated communities.
Alex the unemployed Veteran
what spring break? They don't ever work. They should spend it by actually doing something. If these people were hired by companies like most American's they would have been fired a long time ago
They should spend their time reducing the deficit by rolling back the Bush tax cuts... all of them, both for the wealthy and regular Americans. And they should lift the cap on the payroll tax for Social Security and Medicare.
With those simple moves, they can make Social Security and Medicare solvent for the foreseeable future, and they can eliminate the budget deficit within just a few years.
All without telling granny that if she breaks her hip she can use a $100 discount coupon to get it fixed instead of being able to rely on Medicare.
Saying ten Our Fathers, ten Hail Marys, and vowing to sin no more.
They should go to Fort Lauderdale where they can continue to do what many of them have already done to their country.
lining up another JOB for after the 2012 election.
I really don't care as long as they do not spend any tax payers money.....
They should spend their time packing. In the next election they will be voted out in a landslide. Will they ever learn to work together and get anything done? We the people will continue to vote the bums out until we get the right people for the job. Someone that gets things done and not there just for the power and a check and benifits all of us can only dream of. Let them pack I say.
What a silly question, Jack!
Their obvious duty is to raise funds during the entire Spring Break to guarantee their next re-election.
How dare you suggest that they rest up or work on hopeless causes like the deficit or accumulated debt.
One positive step they could take in securing their future is to have seminars during Spring Break, learning from experts like lawyers how to lie to the public with a straight face.
Live well and prosper, Congress..
Jack i do not care where they go or how they get there as long as they pay for it themselves. We need to move them out of business class and first class seating when they fly for the country as well. They work for the common man/women so they should be sitting with them on each and every flight. After two or three flights with the common man i am sure their ears will be full of wisdom on how to fix this country.
Hi Jack –
Aside from sitting under a palm tree and sipping mai-tais in an exotic location? I would suggest the following:
1. Read a Good book – namely, the constitution to understand why they are in office
2. Plan some "Self-Improvement" activities – namely, visit a hypnotist to forget about their friendly lobbyists' names and donations
3. Finally, they should stay hidden. A two week period without having to listen to their finger pointing on TV would be priceless.
Learning how to make good decisions, and how to work together.
Maybe they should take a nice retreat course on harmony.
What have they done that would lead them to think they deserve a break?
If you are a Republican who wants to cut the benefits for the poor you must give up your high dollar salary & work at McDonald's for the summer and see just how far you minimum wage pay goes to feed your family of 4. Then lets see how big your heart is when you go back to big, fat salaries. What will you cut then, my friend?
Listening to their constituents and not their lobbyists!!!!
Congress needs to spend spring break hard at work and they should forego their salaries for 2 weeks. That would be a start, to show the voters that they are serious.
Jack, while Congress constantly and vehemently assures us that they understand the lives and needs of the average American, we all know this is nothing but political rhetoric. They should spend Spring break living in a homeless shelter under the same conditions as everyone else and be required to search daily for some menial job. Living without fancy houses, cars, meals, clothes, or electronics might give them some insight into a world that they are far too willing to ignore.
Cleaning out all the "dead wood" in Washington. They could also sweep up all the dirt that has been swept under the carpet over the years.
Jack,
Talk to the people they represent because they need a serious dose of reality. Especially when someone like Congressman Paul Ryan is talking about getting rid of Medicare and Social Security. For years my earnings have been taxed so these programs could be funded. If Congressman Paul Ryan, and those that support getting rid of Medicare and Social Security, is going to push forward with his plan, then I want my money back.
They should spend it working, but I guess that would make too much sense. You can only run away from a problem for so long though.
Fleetwood, PA
Bringing back ALL the outsourced jobs, back to America. Having all the 60,000 +/- closed factories back up and running! And getting all Americans back to work!! Stop trading w/Communist China! This is what Boehner and his posse, could do, just for starters!
Didn't they just come back from a break? People who work don't get a "Spring Break". I know how my Congessman(Ca, 44th Dis. Republican) is going to spend his break. He'll be tooting his horn about the cuts to gov't spending the GOP has won........cuts to the FAA, the EPA, early storm warning systems, cuts to teachers, and , oh yeah, more tax cuts for millionaires. He'll be huffing and puffing about everything from abortions to gays in the military. Everything except how this all translates into JOBS!
Members of Congress should spend their two week Spring Break by setting up public meetings in their districts to discover how out of touch they are with the thousand-fold mathematical relationship between trillions and billions.
They should all be locked in a room, Obama included, with no air conditioning, no electronic devices, no food (maybe some Ramon noodles) and warm water until they can come up with a budget that is good for all of us. Maybe the "politicing" will stop.
tampa, fl how about on a street corner raising cash for our national debt?
They should ALL spend spring break as volunteers, either in their home states or right there in Washington.
Opportunities everywhere.
Show America that you are indeed public servants with a servant's heart.
How about working to solve our countries problems? While these imbeciles have spent an inordinate and disproportionate amount of time haggling over $38 billion for the budget for a fiscal year which end in less than 6 months, they have completely ignored every other aspect of their jobs.
Congress is the most dysfunctional body (corporate or government) that I have ever witnessed. Throw them all out!!! Take away their pay and benefits until they can actually perform their job, i.e. pay for performance. Same as in private business.
How about at trip to reality? Have them live on an average salary for the week, fly coach, pump their own gas, shop for health insurance or try and make an appointment at the local V.A. hospital, talk to parents about the educational needs in their district, and perhaps even talk to that busboy or cook that just might be an illegal immigrant. In short, they need to live the problems of this country so they understand what it is like to be a person they represent.
Working. They should be payed by the vote or roll call answered. They should not be payed for camp. for office.
I have a question I would like people to asnwer.
" Who is less needed in our government system, The people, LOBBYESTS who buy votes or the Rep and Sent. who sell them\? who is the bigger crook?
METWLWORKER in La Salle
I would recommend that members of Congress NOT go on Spring Break and put their collective noses to the grindstone, talk to each other and come up with a solution to the problem THEY have created (both Republicans AND Democrats). They take too much time off anyway. Maybe they should think about actually working for their $175000/year and free medical care (the kind NOT available to the average American they say the represent) and ....
The same way we teachers are spending our spring breaks – waiting for the axe to fall as state budgets come in and pink slips for next school year go out. Maybe if they spent their Spring Break worrying about losing their job, they'd be more motivated to do it and do it well.
If they are multi-term senators I'd suggest suicide so we can get replacements that are not career politicians. This break would provide them with the time necessary to plan their departure and get their affairs in order.
Gerry
Arizona
They could read the healthcare reform bill.
They should be preparing to meet with Vice President Joe Biden. In his speech to the nation on the economy Wednesday, President Obama said he's sending Biden to meet with Congress upon their return to address the situation. They need to be prepared for the worst because Obama's decision to send Biden to do such a thing is a bit like the White Star Lines decision to send the Titanic on its maiden voyage back in 1912.
Gary Boyd in Scottsdale, Arizona
How would you suggest members of Congress spend their two week Spring Break?
Didn't they just return from their Winter Break? Seems to me that they need to stop with all these breaks and work on all that legislation that they blocked during the last term.
Maybe I should be in Congress. A six figure salary, breaks every other month, sitting around shooting the breeze, tv/radio apperances, cocktail parties, being wined and dined by PAC's, power to be bought.
Jenna
Roseville CA
Jack, as you saw the other day, Obama drew the line on what he will not do. No renewals of Bush tax breaks on the wealthy, no voucher programs for Medicare, etc. etc. The Republicans and Democrats better rest up while they can, because the new round of budget negotiations will turn into a marathon bar brawl before the debt ceiling hits.
They should try living on equivalent of the entitlements that they are so anxious to cut. Ponder a real fix for Social Security that does not widen the gap between the rich & others. Think about seperating the fund to a dedicated account and making a one time 19 billion appropriation to the fund to make up for the misuse of contributions placed in the general fund. An other simple solution is to eliminate the Cap ang have all pay the same percentage into SS.
In prison or living on the streets with no home or paycheck.
Go swimming with the sharks!
Jack,
Why our representatives and congressmen will vacation anywhere on the planet that strikes their fancy and we tax payers are happy to support their fun junkets.
They only work 3 of 5 days a week and have many more vacations; Spring, All summer, Thanksgiving, Winter vacation just to name a few. The real work of law writing is done by lobbyists so it makes no difference where the paid legislators speak to the media with their scripted talking points. Just remember our TX senator says his lies are not meant to be statements of fact he just presents them as if they were.
"Spring Break?" Wasn't aware they were attending university. The time off should be spent drafting their letters of resignation along with apologies to working America.
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
Jack:
We are told the truth, just not by anyone who is a government representative that's all. My hope is that both sides of the aisle do what they did in Wisconsin – refuse to come back
The should each be put on furlough without pay and forced work cleanup at MikeyD's for minimum wage.
Taking a nice long well publicized leisure cruise off the coast of Somalia in a large boat that does not move very fast.
well they should not be allowed to take a break.They should be forced to stay there and do their job.
If they dont want to do their job, I will, for free . For my state and my country.someone has to step up and do their job here Jack.
I think we should have a two-week version of the British custom of "Boxing Day". In this case Congress should trade jobs with the people who mop floors and empty trash cans at the Capital. Wanna bet on who gets more done?
They could join each other for a dip in one of their favorite pork barrells.
Congress should WORK, for once, and try to begin to appreciate what most Americans have to do, which is to sacrifice everything in order to earn enough to take care of their family.
Congressional Representatives are mostly a bunch of Narcissists who have no real intention of wanting to help others, because all they want ... is to retain their seat; and consequently, power and money.
When you are too far from feeling the pain, then you forget what a broken leg used to feel like.
Joe, Binghamton, NY
How do I want to see members of Congress spend their two week spring break? IN HELL! It will preview what is in their future for destroying America and enriching themselves.
I think we should have a two-week version of the British custom of "Boxing Day". In this case Congress should trade jobs with the people who mop floors and empty trash cans at the Capital. Wanna bet on who gets more done?
Eric – Gaithersburg, MD
I would love for each of them to substitute in a public school classroom for a week or two. It doesn't matter what grade level. I can guarantee you that they could not handle a whole week. Pay should be flipped....teachers should make congressional salaries and the congress should make the teachers salaries.
I don't know how they'll spend it but spend they will. I just wish they would quit sending me the bill.
Maybe they could go to Fort Lauderdale, lay on the beach, get drunk, have wild parties....wait this is starting to sound like a lobbyist sponsored event.
How about the Republicans spending all their time at clinics for the poor(they pay for treatments), food banks(they pay for the food), soup lines ( get dirty, cook the food, after paying for it, serve it and cleanup after it is done). Deliver food for those home bound ( they drive , deliver and as before cook, etc.)
For the Democrats, have some back surgery done. Their backbone is a little limp right now.
How about each make two episodes of "Secret Millionaire". That would cover the two weeks. They all qualify and they would have to go out and live like the rest of us and see how real people barely exist in some cases. How organizations help people without those government funds that politicians seem to think blanket the country. I'd love to see John Boehner and Mitch McConnell in places like Compton, CA, and South Side Chicago.
I am an independent, if you eliminate all the regulations with a big eraser. We will have the same climate we had during the early years of this country. The big cattle ranchers did everything they could do push the small crop farmers out of the way.
If you agree with that premise, watch out, you may be the next one pushed out of they way as well and trampled over.
A level playing field for everyone who wants is needed.
And not just the ones with all the money.
Cal W
I think they should go to Las Vegas. They are already gambling with our money anyway so why stop just because it's Spring Break?
spring break sounds like school children. I know that we say congress act like children but are they? they need to work until the work is done and then take a break. only in America can elected officials act like nobles and treat themselves to royal benefits. these benefits should be part of trillions of dollars ic cuts they need to make. start at the top with the cuts they need to make and we will pay the debt off quick.
They should spend the break drafting a Constitutional Amendment that says:
A congressman may serve no more than three terms
A senator may serve only one term
Congress may not pass any bill that contains more than one provision
There may be no riders to a bill
Congress may enact no law that applies only to congress
Congress may exempt itself from no law
Any pay raise that includes congress may not effect a sitting member that voted for it.
Send them home, make them put on a sandwich board identifying them as elected representatives, tape their mouths shut and have them walk from one end of their district to the other. Maybe they will learn something.
They should stay where they are. They should be ashamed to come home after the sham of budget cutting that does turn out to be smoke and mirrors. 363M is a big difference for 38B. This is more than an accounting procedure. This was a lie.
Maybe the should go to China and spend some US dollars so that China can afford to buy more of our debt.
I think they should take the spring break time to learn how to tell the absolute truth. Not just repeat the grossly inaccurate and misleading "talking points" they're fed along with the payola from their big money handlers.
May be some National Service like Non Combatant Duties in Iraq / Afghanistan ?
Why don't we outsource them to China. Let them work for 0.80 per hour over there and then replace them over here with someone who gives a crap about the American people.
Simple: take an ethics class where they should learn that they represent the citizens of this country, not the lobbyists.
I suggest they use their break to brush up on their penmanship skills to write their resignations.The elitists will never be able to identify with taxpayers and the reality of running a country. If they were running a business, they'd be asking the government to bail them out.
They could spend the two (2) weeks job hunting. They really need to find another place of employment. Just think of the experience they could get working abroad in places like Russia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, or Pakistan. I know it will be hard for the American people to make it with out them in Congress but we will muddle through.
Stay put and do the job we're paying them to do. In the alternative, we could stop paying them until they actually do said job. And to the House GOP, where are the jobs bills?
In first class style of course, like they spend everything else. After all, it is our money they will be spending.
In prayer for they are about to lose their soul, and taking our nation down with them.
Math classes might be a good idea.
They should spend the two weeks looking at the Articles of the Constitution and figuring out why it is that they are in that big beautiful white building called Congress. In other words, figure out what their purpose and job description is. Maybe they will come back with a new found sense of responsibility and accountability towards their constituents–the public–and not their parties...but probably not.
Tell them to go home and get REAL JOBS- working with some of their constituents- those who build the houses, pick up the garbage, and fix the cars, not the fat cats. Then tell them they had better go to church and fall on their knees and pray for God's mercy because if they don't come to their senses soon we're all going to be hurting.
They should spend it like they spend our taxes. Waste it and blame someone else. Above all, don't plan it until the day before, and pay more for short-sightedness.
I think they should all be herded into their respective chambers with the doors locked behind them. They should spend the two weeks working–no vacations until they have done the nation's business–maybe that will promote a little cooperation and agreement between the parties..
The Congress should be forced to work every day until the Budget is running a SURPLUS that will pay off the National DEBT in Less than 25 years.
At the same time, Can anyone tell me how to petition Congress to Amend the Constitution so that it is illegal for the Congress to ever approve a budget that adds 1 cent to the Debt?
Mr. Cafferty:
How about Afganistan, Egypt, or Libya, good weather and that's where a good deal of our money and resources are. Perhaps they should take an extended vacation over there ?
They should take a vacation Jack. Near as I can tell, as much as we love you, we don't have approval rights to how you spend your time off.
They should fly off to some all inclusive resort, drink themselves blind and not come back. It would be cheaper to pay their wages for life and not have them come to work, than pay the bills they have been stacking up for us when they are in session.
I would suggest they all check into Betty Ford; the way they all have been acting for a long time they have to be high.
I am so tired of this government that at this point I am prepared to write in and vote NONE OF THE ABOVE!...
I think Congress should go take a Macro Economics course while on their break. Might help them to understand the entire mess of the Budget and the debt ceiling and particularly how SSN is funded so they don't get that entirely messed up.
These idiots should spend it getting a grey matter transplant... or maybe some reality oreintation; but they can't use the tax payer sponsored health benefits provided by me or the rest of America. They should find out what it means to come out the pocket.
Jack, as much as I would love to see Congress not have an "undeserved break", perhaps what we are really gaining during the upcoming two weeks is a break from Congress. Imagine, 14 days of no congressional sound-bites. Yikes, what will Wolf do?
The left – right pardigm has proven to be Kabuki Theater: make up, caterwalling, and gongs. A twisted story about sausage making in elaborate costumes. May they spend their spring break watching videos of their performance. Maybe this will teach them to learn a more American way of delivering their theatrics. A musical comedy about sausage making will do.
i think congress needs tp skip spring break stay ,grow up and start during there damn jobs . there take almost as much time as Bush2 did everytime u turn around bush was at his ranch in texas that was remolded at tax payers money which he never paid back
They should have to spend those two weeks living like the rest of the country. These guys all come from privileged families and have no idea how most people struggle, especially now in this economic downturn. Oh, they should also have no health care during the break and if they get sick and need a doctor or the hospital they can also see what its like to get help without it.
Take the president with you & stay permanently. These useless bags of bone don't do any thing but steal. We just might find we don't need them.Let the states run deal with their own problems.
I would recommend that they take a trip to Libya, Yemen and Bahrain. It is a perfect time of year weather wise and they could get a first hand look at people who are willing to die to get a bite at the apple that we have had since our Revolution. Then they should sit down and reflect on how as lawmakers in this great country they have killed the apple owned by the people and substituted a lemon.
. all of washington is FIRED!
Time to learn something from middleeast and protest and make all quick
They should take a bus trip through America, so they can see the destruction they have caused! Let them tour the shattered remains of middle American towns that have been devastated by their actions!
The Conservatives should all go to Libya, with faux weapons and join the rebels in fighting for FREEDOM in that war torn country; Senator McLame should led this group.
The Progressives should spend their time listening to their constituents, building up their base and making sure that they are all united and on the same page as they prepare to fight the Neanderthals – personified by the reckless and extreme Pee Bagger, Mr. Ryan...
They should all take an ethics course
Are you taking bets on this? I'm betting they'll spend a lot of taxpayer money on drinks with little umbrellas in them, beach cabanas and maybe some tech upgrades to their home gaming systems. Can you say screw the taxpayers?
Where the whole lot belongs: In Sing Sing
Writing their resignation speeches.
ALL of them need to schedule an appointment with their doctors to have their heads removed from their rear ends.
Van, Columbus GA.
With any luck they'll all spend spring break looking for another job.
George
Chester,Ct.
Elected members of the House and Senate should do what I do
when I have a heavy schedule that requires intense study and creative work.
To wit, Me: "Listen honey, (my spouse), I have several very important decisions to make, so the vacation we planned for the next two weeks will just have to wait for a while.
I know you'll understand, cause its for your and our kids benefit."
Answer, my spouse: "Well, its too bad love, but sometimes we just have to do what we have to do." I'm so happy that I married you. You're so responsible and always looking out for us."
I am Henri D. Kahn, Laredo, Texas
They should be chained to their desks until a deal is struck, and they pass the bill.
Libya,
Let them take over the government. Problem solved.
In washington at the Capitol working on the many issues this nation faces. Most people dont get a 2 week vacation why should they?
Isn't spring break for kids? I know I don't get one, they shouldn't either. They should spend it like the rest of us...working.
They should spend their break polishing up their resumes. Given the inability of this group of people to accomplish anything meaningful, they will all be looking for jobs in the very near future.
Send them to bomb downtown Tripoli in order to save civilians.
Come to Philadelphia. Tour Independence Hall and be reminded of what this country was founded on. Not the incompetent, derisive environment our country has become. Our founding fathers are rolling in their graves.
Congress should spend their two week break helping to rebuild the remains of the Katrina mess and/or cleaning up the remains of the Gulf oil spill. Oh yes, and donate their two weeks of non-working salary to these or other worthy causes.
The first week: apologize to their constituents for poorly representing them, and then prepare and submit their resignations.
The second week: clean out their offices.
If I were a congressman right now, I would take a 2 week crash course in common sense. Perhaps then we might be civilized once again, and do our job as the people expect them to......
I think they should spend it looking for a new job. Because you are fired from this one.
Publicly on display locked in stocks in front of the capitol building
"I dont know why we need large prisons when the crooks seem to be happy in the senate" – Jack Layton
I'd send them to the front line in Afganistan. If they aren't going to fight for us, let them fight for the Afgans.
working a minimum wage job. as a matter of fact that should be what they make, in lieu of their track record.
they should spend two weeks homeless on the streets or trying to find a job....
I'm writing from Heath, Texas and I think Congress should spend their two week Spring break looking for another job. They don't take the one they have very seriously, so, maybe it's time for them to move along!
Working in a homeless shelter, in an at risk public school or senior out reach program. If they are going to go back and make cuts to the poor, education and seniors maybe they should spend some time looking in the eyes of the very people they are going to hurt with their budget cuts.
Looking for a new job, they don't appear to be competent at their current one
I suggest they spend their spring vacation unpaid
Stay In Washington and save money. Use less gas and show us they are just like us
Composing Letters of Resignation? A few months knowing there's nobody in Congress would give all of us a well deserved good night's sleep for a change.
I think members of Congress should up date their resume and go around looking for jobs in the areas they represent not as lobbiest in Washington.
I am not going to vote for any incumbant in 2012.
Yes Jack! Have them (particularly my fellow bleeding heart/give everything away Democrats) stay on permanent break. No pay, OF COURSE! And, while they are at it, have them take President NObama and "sleeping beauty" with them.
I think they should get their resume update and start checking for a new job.
I suggest they not go on Spring Break, but stay in D.C. and balance the 2012 budget and not increase the Debt Cieling. It's time to walk out what you talk, or resign!
Congress should spend their two week vacation looking for a new job where accountability is required and either they balance the budget or they don't get paid.
Didn't a bunch of those guys took Spring Break when they decided not to show up for work a few weeks back?
Wish I had a job that allowed a Spring Break...
Our lawmakers should spend their Spring Break having an emergency session of Congress and use that time to remove loop-holes in the tax code, enforce immigration laws, promote alternative energy and raise taxes on the rich.
Yeah I know... Fat chance...
They should not get a spring break. They have not earned it. Get you heads out of whatever they are in and get to work taking care of business.NONE OF "OUR" politiians have done their job(s). NO WORK NO PAY!!! But this will never happen. They get paid regardless, even if the Goernment shuts down THIS IS WROGN, WRONG WRONG.
Cliff Diving in the Grand Canyon !
How should the members of Congress spend spring break? Clearing out their offices and preparing their resignation letters. Sure having no congress would mean nothing would get done, but how's that any different than what we've got now?
Look for a New Job. With their lack of honest work in dealing with the budget (as well as other issues) I think many will be facing tough reelections next year .....and that is on both sides of the aisle
Between the excessive recesses, the lies, non stop bickering and unwillingness to compromise at all costs, when will we as a nation talk seriously about term limits for congress? They seem to get very comfortable once in office and just do everything to stay in power instead of what's right for the American people. They should think about that while on their 4th vacation since January.
They should spend it in Iraq and Afghanistan living in tents and CHUs with soldiers.
Jack if they have any conscience at all they'll either forfeit their vacation, or spend it somewhere visiting places Columbia, Darfur, or any other impoverished 3rd world nation.
Maybe then they'll smarten up and realize that that could be the U.S. in a relatively short period of time if they don't get their acts together. They can't seriously be stupid enough to allow the U.S. to default on it's debt, or even come close can they?
If that happens, what we all just went through will seem like pleasant memory of the good old days. The real horror is just on the horizon, if they allow it to happen.
They should all go to eastern Afghanistan along the Pakistan border and re-leave our beleaguered troops that are there so they can have a two week break!
Paul Ryan should go back to prep school isolation so he can pout and stomp his feet so maybe he'll grow up a little. Do his parents need or will need medicare? Doubt it. He reminds me of Dan Aykroyd in "Trading Places".
Even I cant take a spring break from collage from all my work, how do our elected senators have the nerve to walk away from these issues is beyond me. I wonder if they will be able to sleep at night, will all these problems haunt them at night, it would if they cared..
I think each member of Congress should adopt a family for two weeks and let the family go on vacation and each member of congress would have to take care of their house, mow their lawns, take care of their animals and live like the rest of us because that is my vacation this year. Sounds like a very good idea to me!
Perhaps they should look for new employment.
For politicians constant talking without accomplishing anything substantive is hard work. Spring break is a time for them to go back to their constituencies and talk to american voters, who they say send them to DC, about thier problems and opinions. That should be relaxing enough if you want to be a truly elected representative of the people, not going to tanning salons or exotic places like Tahiti and come back to DC all tanned and wrinkled. iBut I am sure none of them do anything that deserves them to be called elected representative of the people sent to run the government.
The Congress of the USA should hop on a bus (s), go to NASSA, jump on space ship bound for the Planet Mars, blast off and Jack Cafferty will call them when it is safe to return.
Jack,
Congress is already at the bottom of the deep well. They should come up, and when their eyes are accustomed to the light, they should spend their vacation touring poorer neighborhoods and maybe find a library where they can read the Constitution and other writings by the Founding Fathers. Or an ethics book or two.
Terry Carter
Corona, CA
The men and women of the Armed Forces who are serving in combat zones or in our Fleet DO NOT get a spring break. The men and women of our Congress should be made to endure the same hours that our service members do. During important exercises service members do not get to take leave or go home for the night, why should Congress? If you seek to be responsible in a fiscal way you should start by not wasting time and working until the matter at hand is concluded. Wasted time is wasted money. Shame on you!
One day in basic math class, two days in accounting and auditing classes, the remainder in Ethics classes, for ALL of them!
Back in the seventh grade or so, we took a class called Social Studies. We bright eyed kids were taught how our wonderful government functioned – and how it put the peoples wishes into action. Congress ahould go back and repeat the seventh grade.
you know it's a shame that those in powers would play with the budget as they are doing for votes.Now they are going on vacation and for what.what have they done to deserve time off.we didnt send them there to act like kids throw temper tantrums,and then say break time.they need to stay there in washington dc and figure this.....out.com
Give them $10 an hour jobs! Remind them what it's like to have a boss to answer to, and tasks to accomplish that could actually get you fired if you don't do them.
As they are about to go back to "work" they can see what kind of check you get for 2 weeks of actually getting results for your efforts these days.
That MIGHT give them a small amount of perspective of what it's like for the rest of us who are not elite like them.
How about visiting the people that are really effected by their silly partisan bickering backroom policy making screw the middle class agenda.
Every time I see one of them stand up in a room of supporters that do not ask the hard questions, which pats them on the back for good ideas in bad times that they can live with.
Those of us that never see them in our hard hit communities have to wonder why.
Come and see us, we have issues with unemployment, illegal immigration, special interest influence, corporate lobby, and everyone else that steal our voice right out of the ear of the elected officials we voted into office to represent us
Bottom of a deep well? Too good for them. I couldn't care less where they go, but they should make their vacation permanent–don't come back–ever.
Washing My Car!!
In a 2 week period members of Congress might want to attend a few job fairs. However, I am not so sure anyone would hire them.
But, barring that, they might seek employment in yard work now that Spring is here. They are very good at digging themselves into ditches.
In church asking for forgiveness...
I think they should get their resume in order and start looking for a new job John Kent, Wa
They should spend it in rehabs where they'll be cured of partisanitis and hypocrisy.
Congress should take time reflecting if the are worth what they are paid for health care and wages.
Jack, They should go rest and work on theire resume. Beleive it or not there is another election around the corner and if these guys don't work on and vote for spending reduction they should be ready to look for a job after Nov.5. There will be another house cleaning like we saw last November. Joe Biden should just rest so he may be fresh and stay awake during the meetings.
They should all have to do community service their entire spring break, at least that would be a useful endeavor from them for a change.
They should spend their time trying to find a new job like my friend who lost her job because the SONY plant just closed, or working 60 hours a week so she won't lose her hours like a nurse I know, or trying to find money to attend college like a young woman I know who has 3 kids and no extra money for school so she and her children can have a better future. Maybe if they did these kinds of things, they'd get a handle on reality and be more inclined to stop lying about everything and start doing an honest job in Washington.
They should cancel it. The nerve. After what they put us through last week. Some nerve. Vote this lot and whose up?
Oh this one is easy. they should spend it getting their heads out of their behinds and cleaning out their ears so they can hear. the American people are fed up with them NOT listening.
Ed
Indiana
How about a long walk off of a short peer?? And after all, remember they work so hard at spending money on themselves! Best salaries and best health care which they deny to all others. Oh ya, and I forgot, they need time to buy to $1000 suits fpr their next appearance on TV. What a bunch of losers!!
Jack it's simple, they belong in prison where most other thieves and crooks are.
They should spend it in the Capitol Building doing their jobs. The Constitution gives the President power to convene either house or both houses on extraordinary occasions with no limit to how long he can force them to convene. I'd say having no budget qualifies as an "extraordinary occasion" If the President were serious about fixing this problem, he'd force them to convene indefinitely until he has a budget bill on his desk to sign.
Reference: Article 2, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
They can allow me access to their office and contacts book so I can find a job.
I think all the members of Congress should drive
across the country to Disneyland California.
After paying for gas,hopefully they won't have
any money left to get back.
Hell Jack,
Most of the population has to suspend or give up their vacations because of the high price of gas!
But they will most likely have their vacations paid for in some way or another by an oil company for kickbacks since 2006 and later.
I hope they take their vacations looking for another job so that when EVERY ONE of them are voted out of office and lobbying will be demanded to be illegal by the american middle class.
We truly do live in a country now that is "We the corporation"
We the people are no longer part of the picture!
"In a time of universal deceipt, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." Goerge Orwell
I would suggest members of Congress spend a lot of time in church; any church. If they can't or won't find one, then maybe a self-defense class, because if we can't get the truth out of them once and for all, we will see a revolution, and they may want to prepare for that instead.
How about they go help cleanup the Nuclear disastor in Japan. They could be used to absorb some of the Nuclear waste. Instead they will be playing tag with Interns while drinking and snorting coke.
These losers don't deserve a break so get back to work dirt bags.
Congress should use this time to learn some new magic tricks from Penn and Teller to go along with their already considerable library of tricks and snake oil. Or maybe they should take more courses with Jay Leno on standup comedy. At least we could laugh at the jokes and marvel at the magic and sleight of hand...
They should spend their Spring breaks looking for a new job, because .they're not going to have the job they hold now very long..
I think they would be well-served if they used their time off to look for a different line of work. Many would make very good carnival barkers, or perhaps touting the latest slicer/dicer on TV. No one expects those people to tell the truth, and, considering they have had so much practice lately they would be hired in a heartbeat. Harry Truman once said that Richard Nixon was the only person he knew who could lie out of both sides of his mouth at the same time. Apparently, Mr. Nixon gave lessons to many of the members of today's "Congress". Final comment to Congress: Stop worrying about your political ideologies, your re-election campaigns, and/or your own posteriors and do what is best for the USA!
Most of them should spend it at the nearest elementary school writing "I will stop lying" on the blackboard.
I can't beleive there is such a question. Btween my husband and myself we hold 3 jobs and yes my husband holds 2 and yes he has a college degree and we have not gone on vacation in 5 years! They should spend their time actually going through every single loop hole and ear mark and figure out a way to rid the pet projects that dont help MOST Americans. How dare they go on vacation! They will spend more time away then they did actually working on the budget. While thousands of city and state workers in Florida and else where are getting ready to be fired they are taking a vacation. Arent they supposed to WORK FOR US!? And Rush Limpig calls us lazy
They should take nine months without pay, then return to be paid on a commission basis according to what they accomplish. While they're at it, they must enroll in Ivy League colleges to learn and pass courses in logic an ethics and how do basic mathmatics.
It's Interesting how you ask such questions. We the people would like to see congress, the senate, and all politicians take 2 weeks off and never come back again. Serious civil disobediance is right around the corner and how will they treat us then?
The first week they should look for the morals that they have lost.
The second week they should find and review their job discription
They should be out making a special effort to kowtow to their corporate masters. That way we can be sure that they have their instructions straight and their scripts memorized for the circus that will start when they get back.
Republicans should pay for our retirement fund, because they are always the one that are agains the taxing cuts...
Jack, there isn't a well deep enough for these guys, the slim they are they would find a way out. No, during their spring break they should each be custom fit for a medieval rack so those of us who pay them and support them in the style to which they have become accustomed could file through their august chamber and crank their individual racks one notch each until they get the point that things have to change.
Reading the constitution and their job descriptions.
I believe they should spend it in the real world. UNPAID by all means as exchange students, so to speak, in the average low to middle income family homes. They need see how their decisions honestly affect the real people in our country and how that affects the future of everyone. Naive? Probably. Un-realistic? Unfortunately...most certainly. God Bless Us All. (Or whomever you worship).
The Gaza Strip, then hope they take a course in suicide bombing 101.
I think they should seriously start praying for the strength and integrity to work together and remember we are all americans and watch the special on the civil war, divided we fall, together we stand!
Standing in the corner in timeout as bad children would do. We are not impressed by any of the lying politicians-none can be trusted and they are so busy playing politics they probably don't have time for real work. We are not stupid and would rather vote for someone honest, that actually worked for the people and the country than for anyone spewing bunch of bull on the campaign trail- do they really think we fall for that?
...in crash courses on economics at their local community colleges.
If time travel were possible, I'd send them to Sodom or Gomorrah where they belong. Just before their destruction of course.
Gee Whiz Jack thats a simple thing we should load all of them into a plane and send them to Tripoli if thay can frig with the American people the way they do..Dear God just think what they could do to Ghadaffi after 2 weeks of pure Bullcrap.
Jack:
Congress should spend each day in the next two weeks doing jobs that pay just above minimum wage and have no benefits to get an idea of what Americans who work onstreets other than Wall St. are doing to survive with all the help they are providing; work a night shift at a convenience store, spend a shift sanding cars in body shop, make a day's trash run with the people who colect tyour garbage, be a substitute teacher in a middle school, run a shovel on your city's road department filling potholes, strip shingles from a roof. Well, you get the idea. And if you get hurt on the job, you can't use your Government Health Care plan.
BA, Ames, Iowa
Jack: It's simple. We have the best politicians in Washington – that money can buy !! During their "break" they will be out soliciting the $6000 a day in campaign donations they need to fund their war-chest. They will not be contemplating the 5% salary increase they automatically awarded themselves this year (as they did last year and the year before, and will next year) nor considering the lifetime of healthcare benefits (and other trinkets) they will receive – whether they are re-elected at end of term or not.
What they SHOULD be doing is working together (GOP and Dems) to actually DO SOMETHING BENEFICIAL FOR THE USA !!! come up with a budget, create jobs (banks are not loaning), increasing interest rates, keeping gas prices down, and so on. Perhaps a month a Burger King might let them learn how far minimum wage goes.
I agree with you Jack, at the bottom of a deep well. BTW Wolfe I really don't think Jack was kidding. lololol
Jack, I understand that Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya are especially nice this time of year. Hiking around Iran could be an especially fun time. Congress should check these places out for themselves during their much deserved vacation, with all the good the GOP has done in three months so far, especially creating new jobs, they must be really tired.
Really a spring break! They are always on a break and at the time when we have critical issues and a fiscal crisis they should work on it and not leave.
The Republican need to take a basic course in United States history from a professional historian. the Democrats need to seek out a good urologist to get their testosterone tested and, then, if necessary, grow a pair!!
The adults in congress (all three on them) need to spend the next to weeks explaining to every one that wants to cut spending to find a career more suited to their skills.
Digging ditches and unemployment come to mind.
I know that reality inside the beltway is an oxymoron, but we are in a serious crisis. It is a crisis born of cutting revenue and diverting spending from the tasks the government is responsible for.
It is a crisis that 200 years of economic reality says can only be solved by the government spending money like its water.
Once we have the crisis resolved we need serious people to craft a permanent solution to thirty years of abusive taxes that penalize work and a functional economy in favor of tax cut for multimillionaires.
We need to fix a defense procurement system that makes it imposable to end spending on a project no matter how worthless. We need to admit that our schools are failing BECAUSE we don't spend enough money.
And we need to admit medicaid and medicare are the most expensive parts of the budget because we refuse to do anything about about an industry that is completely out of control.
Want the budget balanced in 18 months, pass universal heath care.
Want the deficit gone in 4 years pass universal health care, rein in weapon system procurement and END THE SUPER WEALTHY WELFARE QUEENS.
How about listening to the people instead of just there party line and screened audiences...That way we might get something done for the people and the nation instead of the fringe!
I don't think they should get a spring break. Or if they do, they should not be paid for the time off. Congress takes far too many breaks. Any of those idiots would fall over from a heart attack if they actually had to work 40 hours a week. Most of us in the real world don't get anything close to the amount of time they take off. We don't get to take weeks off multiple times through the year – why should they?
And as bad a job as they're doing, they certainly have not EARNED this time off. I say let them forfeit their spring break and DO THEIR JOBS! (while they still have them).
.Jack, they might as well spend all of our money on their vacation. The way gas prices are going we will not be able to afford to go on one
Each member of Congress should be randomly assigned to and have to spend their spring break trading places with one of their constituents. A small percentage of them (about 2% or so) may end up enjoying their time off. The rest... not so much!
Heck, we could turn it into a reality show, and use the profits to reduce the deficit. Then again, the Republicans will wanna give away the profits as tax breaks. Nevertheless!
Manhattan Beach, CA
The Repugnicans should call on their Senior constituents and personally explain why it would be a great idea for the Seniors to pay 6,000 dollars more for medical insurance so they can get a $200,000 tax break!
Jon in Phoenix, AZ
Looking for another Job because after this no one wants to be bothered with them again!!
Let them take vacation UNDER THESE RULES: A) If in Congress less than 5 years, they get two weeks; up to 10 years, 3 weeks; etc. B) Study economics, especially budgeting; C) Study public debate protocols, that requires civility and research. Good luck.
They should catch a "Mexican Greyhound" to Juarez. with any luck none will make it back.
Jack,
They should spend their time;
1) Looking for a real job at current market pay and benefit rates.
2) Filling out paperwork and trying to qualify for unemployment
3) Trying to actually live on the job or unemployment money they get
4) Getting down on their knees and thanking the good Lord that they can go back and do "the People's business."
5) Apologize loudly, profusely and publicly for their arrogance.
Its not going to happen, but it would be nice if they TRIED to understand what its like in the real world.
Congress should be stripped of their health care and wages soley on the grounds that it is a privelige to serve. Then maybe they would keep their hands off social security. The government has no right to draw off social security just because it works on it's own. The politicaI groups who let this happen in the first place should be slapped hard.
Counting all the money and trips the health lobby has paid both parties. We pay double for health care compared to every other developed country and we do not live any longer. We have the best congress that money can buy. Ken Krieger Cape Coral, Florida
They need to go back to school and study accounting for their spring break. I have had enough of Politicians fighting over the budget. They are suppose to be doing a job for America and all they have done is wasted the last two years fighting about how not to spend our money while the entire time their salaries are still being paid. I say cut off their paychecks until they have resovled the situation. Maybe then they would be better able to understand the poverty of some of our elderly and jobless. It has always been big Corporate support from the Republicans and too much spending by the Democrats. We really need to adjust the tax rates for ALL people and not just the middle class and pverty level people.
Each representative needs to spend their spring break living with a family that is in the lower middle class an/or just above or below the povery level. They need to live with the families that don't have the benefits the representative enjoy including health care, large pensions, etc. They need to live with a family dependent on medicade, medicare, and retirees that living on only social security at a level below that mark. In doing so, they need to leave all their money, credit cards, health befefits, etc. behind and live on the same money and benefits the family enjoys (or doesn't).
Two weeks isn't close enough to make them understand what the real world is really like.
Paul Ryan should go back to prep school isolation so he can pout and stomp his feet so maybe he'll grow up a little. Do his parents need or will need medicare? Doubt it. He reminds me of Dan Aykroyd in "Trading Places".
I think they should spend their vacation like myself. I've been using my vacation time to make up for the hours that have been cut since before Christmas. Worrying about paying bills and how I will keep my home if my hours keep getting cut. I have had to put off getting my medication for the last month because I can't afford it. Oh, I also need new glasses because it is harder to read. I just wish I was deaf so I didn't have to listen to the lying, the full on crap that comes out of their mouth without showing any remorse. They ALL make me sick.
I hope they have a wonderful vacation and come back rested enough
to get back to the game, "To Tell the Truth".
How should Congress spend their Spring Break. How about working as a stock clerk at WalMart or flipping hamburgers at McDonalds. Since they perfer sending the good jobs overseas maybe they will understand why people would rather collect unemployment.
Congress should do what any body does on vacation. get friggin smashed and forget about what they should have done.
They are servants and they should act like one. The do not need breaks they need to work 24/7. Instead of in D.C. they should stay in their states and do all the business thru vedio conferencing as Bachmann said when OBama was going to INdia.
They should be made to work the third shift in an air control tower all alone. Then maybe they would fund safety in the skies and fire all the officials at FAA for doing s stupid job.
Spring Break!... sure, have our "last-minute" lawmakers get dressed for a tax-payer paid trip, then give them an express ticket solitary confinement in San Quentin. Allocate 20 hours a day to hear tragic stories from the poor, people depending on Medicare, and women that use Planned parenthood.
jack, i would suggest that congress, on their spring break, rent a tractor and pull their collective heads out of their collective a_ _ _es. especially those who intend to balk at voting against raising the debt ceiling. and another thing: let paul ryan and all those who concur with him get p_ _ _ed over being called "un-american" when they push for those changes to medicare and other social programs while steadily demanding that they be allowed to soothe and pet their millionaire, billionaire buddies. the gop has for over two years now, by their voices and also their silence to insist that our president is not even an american. president obama has done everything in the book to create good will, and to no avail. it's high time he's taking a stance. good for him! i and many others are with him all the way.
They should be evicted from their homes for two weeks, so the KNOW what foreclosure does to the people they're suppose to be representing and protecting. Maybe they'll will return with clearer heads and get back to work instead of stalling important social and legislative reform for political gain.
Should congress have a good vacation? Absolultly. Because when they realize the games and favors and scams they let by at the expense of the common person and the have to look into the mirror the horror of their wasted lives can claim justise.
Why should they get a spring break? I don't get one, and neither should they! Not unless you count the UNPAID furlough day I have to take, thanks to their nonsense...!
Does it Play–from Peoria, Illinois
Congress should quickly pass a pay cut for themselves, especially the stingy GOPer's............then they can sit at home for the next two weeks and contemplate how they might put the next meal upon the table, instead of telling the rest of us, how we shuold do without, while they cannot follow the same credo.
Give them a12 month break. They should have to live the life of the majority of Americans for that period. They could earn no more than $48,000 a year before taxes (and that is generous) support at least two teenagers, and themselves, one of their family should have a dramatic health problem, live in a moderate home, in a moderate neighborhood, and drive a moderate car. During that time one of them should get a pnk slip. Fantasy, I know, but they are so in the dark about the real world. No one to push the elevator button for them to reach their desired work floor? It has become all about the party, not the Americans or America.
How ironic this republicon controlled House would remove such a kindred spirit like the wolf from the endangered species list. The republicon wolf has little capacity to understand or communicate human feelings, he has an extraordinary sense of smell for maximizing tax cuts for his wealthy wolf pack members and at the same time very little understanding for those human opponents he will most certainly devour. Good hunting during this most recent congressional recess but be very watchful because some of your opponents just may stand up right for a change and fight back.
This year for vacation, they are all getting together to play telephone.
It will start on one side of the house and they will whisper a sentence ear to ear. The starting sentence will be, "If we do not take care of our own, the people who elected us, we shall be a failure." They giggled and laughed as they passed the sentence along and at the end, Our Speaker of The House exclaimed, "We need to take care of our contributors, the lobbyists, and then we can vacation anywhere we want!".
Given that being a congressperson is a physically and mentally demanding job, does not give them carte blanc. As with any other human being, doing the right thing is tantamount. So, lets screw the old, infirmed, under appreciated military veterans, by reducing the social services that take care of the deserving non earning par of society. The smell of Hitler is faintly present.
Congress should use this time deciding how many of their staff they will cut to help balance the budget. They could then tell their many ex-staffers that they are helping the cut the defict so the highest taxpayers can get the tax cuts.