house Bill H.R. 1496
Should Wealthy Former Presidents Have Smaller Pensions?
Argument in favor
Former presidents earn enough money from giving speeches and writing books, and don't rely on their allowance from the federal government. This bill maintains the payments as a safety net — but saves the money when it isn’t needed.
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10/16/2019
The idea of giving ex-presidents a salary was originally implemented because having an ex-president living in poverty would embarrass the nation. If an ex-president is already wealthy the salary isn’t necessary.
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10/16/2019
You should not get a salary as a retired president.... Teachers, Police and Firefighters and soldiers don’t get to retire after 4 or 8 years and are more public servants than any one in Congress or the White House
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10/16/2019
There is no reason to pay somebody who isn't working and who already makes more than enough money from kickbacks and insider trading during their time in office to last a lifetime.
Argument opposed
Former presidents should be richly compensated for their service to the country once they leave office. It may not be their old salary, but these payments represent the nation’s gratitude for the president’s contributions while in office.
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10/16/2019
Meaningless bill. This is bill to get election year ‘creds’ for proposing legislation that has little impact on the budgets and little overall budget saving. There should be fines for useless stuff like this that does not underwrite a political strategy or make any kind of impact. Deliberation and gathering congresspeople together to vote and then administering the details would sure cost more than any sum of money that could be recovered. It’s a stupid waste of time.
10/16/2019
BUDGET DUST!!!!! Address real issues please. Like our bloated military budget and corporate welfare.
10/13/2019
Have you looked at how much these people age during their time in office?
This is a pittance. A drop in the bucket.
Repeal the tax cuts act that GOP pushed through under trump- tax the top income earners more. Tax the wealthy and especially the uber wealthy.
The idea of giving ex-presidents a salary was originally implemented because having an ex-president living in poverty would embarrass the nation. If an ex-president is already wealthy the salary isn’t necessary.
Meaningless bill. This is bill to get election year ‘creds’ for proposing legislation that has little impact on the budgets and little overall budget saving. There should be fines for useless stuff like this that does not underwrite a political strategy or make any kind of impact. Deliberation and gathering congresspeople together to vote and then administering the details would sure cost more than any sum of money that could be recovered. It’s a stupid waste of time.
BUDGET DUST!!!!! Address real issues please. Like our bloated military budget and corporate welfare.
You should not get a salary as a retired president.... Teachers, Police and Firefighters and soldiers don’t get to retire after 4 or 8 years and are more public servants than any one in Congress or the White House
There is no reason to pay somebody who isn't working and who already makes more than enough money from kickbacks and insider trading during their time in office to last a lifetime.
Have you looked at how much these people age during their time in office?
This is a pittance. A drop in the bucket.
Repeal the tax cuts act that GOP pushed through under trump- tax the top income earners more. Tax the wealthy and especially the uber wealthy.
They can give the money back to charitable causes if they'd like but it shouldn't be determined on a former President's wealth.
**Political pensions/Healthcare are a scam- lifetime support- and should be completely canceled.
**Politicians go in either Rich already OR miraculously become Rich during their terms... Corruption of the Swamp.
Nay, but I WOULD like to see a net worth cap placed onto social security. There is no rational reason (including those arguments of entitlement) for billionaires to collect social security while some of our seniors are starving.
Shove those who have a net worth of 3 million off, and increase the benefit amount to a livable income.
🎯No Americans need to starve.
PS For those who say, I paid in... well actually you pay in for many social good programs (SNAP, SSI, TANF) and all those programs have income/net worth caps.
So, you can either pay in more -since more Americans are living longer- or you can redistribute existing funds more efficiently.
Except for the current President, I believe they have more than earned that money.
Yes. The exception being Trumpf. Impeach, convict, jail the SOB. No pension for this grifter. Too bad tarring and feathering aren't in vogue. He'd gladly impose that on others.
They all have done the job, and will be well off after leaving office. Will congress also lose part of their pension if they are rich when they leave office? Something to think about- look at Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, both are now multi millionaires due to their time spent in government jobs.
How much allowance do we give to military personnel after their four years of life threatening service?
Need to put an end to the politician welfare system. When your done your done.
Ridiculous bill! Why don’t wealthy Congress members and Senators give up their health insurance? This bill is nonsense. Women and men who serve this country should be supported by the public to do so. If they do a bad job, vote them out. That’s how it works. Presidents who have served admirably deserve our support and recognition. Those who don’t get impeached and, if necessary, prison.
Really?.....with all that is going on in the world, THIS is a "concern"?