Congressional Walk Out? Are They Still Getting Paid?

Umm, I didn't know that you were allowed to be childish once you got elected to Congress. Afterall, they do impose an age limit, so I would have to assume that is in place to prevent child-like arguments and tactics from happening on the House floor.

Apparently, that's not case

Not that I expect a lot from Congress. Afterall, it is Congress. But for them to think that they are in a position to just walk off the job because things are not going there way in the negotiating stage is tantamount to psychosis.

On February 14, 2008, Valentines Day, the House Republicans showed no love. They left the chamber just before a vote over whether Congress would hold Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten in contempt of Congress for not testifying about the dismissal of United States attorneys.

Where do they get the nerve?

Supposedly, the Republicans walked off because the House, dominated by Democrats, would not change their stance that is in opposition of the permanent extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The Democrats also take issue with several parameters of the Act; including the immunity the Act gives companies and government administrators.

I thought Congress was supposed to work things like that out. You know, actually legislate. But apparently, they think it is acceptable to walk on a 6-figure salary job with more benefits than any occupation in the world, just because they are having a disagreement with the people across the isle.

Okay, so be it. Clearly, they are behaving with a radicalism that I think is best served for their younger days in the 70's, but let's just accept it for this moment.

The question I want answered is, "Are they still getting paid for that?"

Seriously, if you decide to walk out on a job you're not supposed to get paid. It's called a strike, a walkout, or whatever else you want to call it, but it's not called working. Now, let's leave out the fact that they walked out on a voting segment of their day just to make a point. As if voting against the Democrats movement wouldn't have been enough of a message. But let's turn our attention to the fact they are doing a disservice to the American people. You see, while they think that by walking out of Congress they are making this big grandstand of a movement to "protect the American people" with their bill that gives large conglomerates retroactive immunity against federal prosecution, the American public is losing tax dollars and valuable time.

It is not as if Congress works all year. So for the little time they have on the Hill, you would think they would try to work out their differences and do something constructive. And if you can't come to an agreement on one issue, then vote on it, and move on to the next. But to walk out like you're some type of low-income worker looking for better wages, a better work environment, and that you want to set an example for the people of your ilk- well, it just sickens me.

The whole idea of a Congress is that people should not walk on each other. The members are supposed to work things out, negotiate, cooperate, exchange ideas, buy and sell, and legislate, not pretend that there work situation requires a walk. The next time thing about walking out, they need to consider coughing up part of those tax-paid paychecks before they reach that conclusion.