General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI'm sympathetic about high housing costs for Congress members. Solution:
For those House members and Senators who are having trouble making ends meet, what with maintaining two residences, this classic housing solution would be ideal. Proven through many decades of military housing, open barracks would solve the problem with little additional cost. Such living quarters would also foster collegiality and cooperation among our legislators. Of course, they wouldn't have to deal with barracks inspections and that sort of thing. They could create a pool of funds to hire people to clean, make beds, etc.
This housing would not be mandatory, of course. Those congressional legislators who had the means to live elsewhere would be free to do so. But, those who are strapped for funds, despite their $174,000 annual salary, would be able to live in this comfortable, efficient housing at no charge:
justhanginon
(3,290 posts)Being somewhat cynical, I really wonder, what with all the lobbyists, pacs, dark money, etc., like I said, I am somewhat cynical and maybe even a little suspicious about the lower reaches of said table.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)that one former House member was whining about the high cost of housing himself for the brief times he was in DC. He proposed a $2500/mo. housing allowance. Since I'm sure he'd be interested in saving taxpayers' money, I'm offering this simple solution to that problem. It would be like a raise in pay and would cost taxpayers nothing. That should be ideal for tax-cutting Republicans, I'd think.
Of course, they'd probably want separate housing or separate floors, at least, for male and female legislators, I'm sure, but that need could be easily accommodated. Bottom line: If this type of housing has been suitable for our enlisted military personnel, it's ideal for our elected officials, as well.
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)insurance I am sure (not) he would not mind a little sacrifice himself. Glad he is leaving!
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)Chaffetz's donors paid for his iPhone and his cell service.
That's at least $2k per year in real benefits from GOP donors.
Takket
(21,563 posts)So I'm sure they would have no objection to this!
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I can't see any drawbacks, really, at all.
sarge43
(28,941 posts)Uniforms and maintenance, do their own cleaning, Saturday morning inspections, drug searches 0200hrs,
formation at 0500hrs, KP, weekend noise level that would put a flight of F-18s to shame, the occasional bawl, bed wetter in the bunk above yours.
(Your memories here)
shraby
(21,946 posts)require congresscritters to live there. Make them 1,2 or 3 bedrooms so if they have family they want to bring there will be adequate space.
If a congresscritter wants to pay the high cost of a private apartment someplace else, they are welcome to do so.
Blaukraut
(5,693 posts)Squinch
(50,949 posts)We are just FULL of helpful ideas! They should thank us!
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)That way, they could save money on their attire for Senate and House sessions. There are so many ways we could help our legislators in Congress with their tight financial situation.
Lindsay
(3,276 posts)like NASCAR drivers. I'm sure their corporate patrons would pay handsomely for the advertising opportunities.
WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)who owns who. The bigger the sponsor the bigger the patch too. :-D
Squinch
(50,949 posts)exboyfil
(17,862 posts)and it would be mandatory to stay in the dorm three nights a week while Congress in session. You would, as much as possible, be required to room with a member of the opposite party. Also all breakfasts and some dinners would be mandatory - cafeteria seating with rotating placement also assigned - again emphasizing both parties being placed next to each other.
I would like to see more travel back to home districts with a requirement of a certain percentage of the time being in their home district. During that time it will be mandatory to both have Town Halls as well as meeting with individual and/or small groups of constituents (chosen on a random basis if demand exceeds time available).
No more lifetime defined pensions. There should be a generous 401(k) match. The emphasis should be that serving is a public service, but even those without money can serve.
If they need to reduce the time that Congress is in session, I would support that. Congress should not have their families in Washington. The members should spend more time in their beds in their home districts/states.
Representatives and Senators in Alaska and Hawaii should be allowed to do some voting/committee participation online to allow them to meet the requirements of meeting constituents.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)After all, saving money is a top priority for the current crop of Republican legislators. I think we should keep it simple and spartan, so they could send photos home of how they're saving their constituents' money. I'm sure they'd get that concept right away.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)Those roomy closets would be a big plus for them.
MedusaX
(1,129 posts)nkpolitics1212
(8,617 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I don't care.
IronLionZion
(45,433 posts)Since we will always have congresspeople, and they will always need a place to live while in Washington.
but since Congress would be the ones deciding it and appropriating the funds, they'll probably use our taxes to build something like this:
Even though we've seen these requests for more pay come from millionaires, the truth is that a lot of middle class people don't want to run for office partly because of the costs. It could be one reason why we don't field good Democratic candidates in many districts. The barracks idea is a great joke, but building apartments for them could be a feasible idea for the less wealthy types. I live in DC and can see which neighborhoods different types of congresspeople live in. And many of them do share group houses with a bunch of roommates and communal living like what we joke about. Boehner lived like that when he was here. People would protest outside his house during the shutdown.
And since they are only here for part of the year anyway, they wouldn't be paying rent/mortgage on a home they're not using if it is a government owned building. The same should be done for their staffers.
HipChick
(25,485 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I'm all about simplifying stuff. I learned that from old Hank Thoreau.
spooky3
(34,444 posts)I think they should be given a housing allowance in part to make it easier for lower income people to run for office.
Cancelling just one big military plane order should cover the cost for many years.
JI7
(89,248 posts)there are many ways they could easily live comfortably .
Lucky Luciano
(11,254 posts)Maintaining two residences is tough on $174K. No reason to live like a pauper while in DC with an important job even if the person is an asshole.
It is especially helpful to make it so being a congressman doesn't require independent wealth.
Merlot
(9,696 posts)Let them wrastle with the ACA and then vote to remove it or improve it.
And their family memebers need to be on the same health plan.
bottomofthehill
(8,329 posts)The simplest solution is often the best. A few years ago the House closed its Page Program. There were a host of reasons most of them good, but it was a shame to lose the program just the same. They had a dorm for the House Pages about a block from the House office buildings. It is already set up for dorm living and the Members of the House who find living in DC too expensive could stay there for a reasonable price. There are about 80 beds ant they are already split for a male/female living. They would probably have to hire more Proctors than when the Pages were there as the Members would most likely behave much worse than the 16 year olds who were turned loose on the city of Washington.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)That's a perfect solution! Thanks!
Akamai
(1,779 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)so I think not. We elect them in each district or state. Maybe there should be pee tests before the election. But once, elected, I can't see the utility of such testing, really. Look at old drunk, Boehner. Dude was soused most of the time, and yet his constituents kept electing him. None of it makes much sense, really.
bottomofthehill
(8,329 posts)If you live in a state that requires you to take a drug test to get public assistance, than you should have to pee for public assistance in the House Dorm..
Akamai
(1,779 posts)Docreed2003
(16,858 posts)I mean...check out these very modest 22,000k sqft home
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)DemoTex
(25,396 posts)Drop and give me 25, Cowboy!
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)Now I'm having a flashback!
Here's what USAF Basic Training at Lackland AFB in 1965 looked like:
Laffy Kat
(16,377 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)as when I was there. I'm sure a similar photo was taken of my BT flight, but I never saw it.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)niyad
(113,284 posts)mopinko
(70,090 posts)was so disliked, no one would let him in.
kairos12
(12,858 posts)Mine were wood though, WW2 vintage. It will be the closest to serving in the military anyone in Congress is likely to do.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)when I was in Basic in 1965. Fire guards and coffee cans with water for smoke breaks. I remember mostly that the place reeked most of the time, no matter how many times it got scrubbed down.
Vinca
(50,269 posts)napi21
(45,806 posts)If THEY can do it, all of them can.
bottomofthehill
(8,329 posts)The house office buildings are not residential buildings. People are not supposed to lodge there. If there is ever a fire or other reason the building becomes disabled, firefighters and first responders lives will be put at risk saving the squatters staying there in violation of DC laws and the fire code.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)It's a known effect that conservatives come to Washington, live in the city, start to realize why city people care about issues like poor people and gun control, and BECOME MORE LIBERAL.
So the donors and think tanks behind the GOP encourage people like Chaffetz and Cruz to sleep in their offices and avoid contact with actual poor people and the actual city.
ProfessorGAC
(65,010 posts)My post was far less detailed, but i was thinking exactly what you wrote.
And i agree on the, "if you can afford better, go ahead and live anywhere you want" aspect too. (Not quoting you, just setting off a paraphrase)
But, if having to support two living locations is a burden, well, good enough for the soldiers, good enough for these folks.
niyad
(113,284 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)However, there are some ordinary folks in there, too. I think they tend to bunch up and share living quarters while in DC. They're probably also likely to not have an extravagant lifestyle in the first place and a congressperson's salary may represent a raise for them.
But, they're a minority in Congress, for sure. Most are highly successful people with considerable wealth. It's not easy getting elected to either the House or Senate, and most people elected have built strong careers or businesses before getting there.
I suspect that this "housing crisis" is neither a crisis nor does it affect all that many people, really. I feel worse for their staffers and low-paid junior staff. Now, they have a problem. DC is a costly place to live, or can be.
niyad
(113,284 posts)I would not. . . .) but not the millionaires, etc.
I would suggest putting all the congress critters up in a motel six or some such. with dinner vouchers at denny's or ihop.
PatrickforO
(14,572 posts)Not only should they live in barracks while they are in DC, but they should have to rely on the same healthcare plan and Social Security that the American people do. I'm sick and tired of smug asses like Ryan and McConnell telling me that government-run healthcare fosters 'dependency,' and that Social Security needs to be cut back and privatized.
Let's introduce legislation that forces all members and ex-members of Congress that ensures they have to abide by the laws they foist off on us.
Demtexan
(1,588 posts)Share an apartment.
Better yet just quit and go home.
I have a friend living with me who was homeless living in her car.
She had a job but not enough money to pay rent.
madinmaryland
(64,931 posts)they are about to vote on...
ETA: Three square meals a day would be provided by the US Tax Payers!
bottomofthehill
(8,329 posts)Also, Howard University was talking about selling some dorm space earlier in the year. it is further away, but I might be a good thing to have the Members living at a HBC....
MLAA
(17,288 posts)pansypoo53219
(20,974 posts)AllaN01Bear
(18,191 posts)Callmecrazy
(3,065 posts)What are y'all thinkin' ?