By Shane Bryant
In response to Congressman Thompson”s letter of Dec. 23 I have read the original opinion written by Jaxan Christensen, “Are We Crazy?” and his reply to her, “Here are the Facts.” I have attempted to verify the congressman”s facts on government Web sites, to ascertain the veracity of his statements.
Allow me to introduce some light onto what he wrote. In January the organizations he listed, did indeed receive a 5.8-percent COLA, but he failed to mention the amount was to make up for years of those organizations falling well below the cost of living (I know; I was in one of those organizations) while he received a steady, year-by-year COLA, as voted on by him and his fellow congressmen. That 5.8 percent was never meant to be a carryover into the following year, it was makeup time.
Second, he stated, “Congress did not give itself a pay raise this year. In fact, we voted to make sure that we did not get a pay raise or cost of living adjustment (COLA) this year.” I have scoured the Internet congressional sites and found several bills introduced to stop, delay, repeal or eliminate the automatic COLA for congressional members; H.R. 156, 215, 282, 346, 395, 581, 751, and 1597. I can find no action taken on any of these bills. Perhaps the congressman may assist me in locating the correct bill that he voted on to stop, delay, repeal or eliminate congressional COLA for 2009 and or 2010. He said it, so the ball is in his court to prove it.
It is law that Social Security”s, the military”s and other government organizations” COLA is tied directly to inflation (usually a percentage point below inflation), however, it is my understanding that congressional COLA is automatic and has no such formula regulating its adjustment. Am I wrong? If so Mr. Congressman, please, show me the legislation.
Until he can show me, by congressional records, where I”m wrong and where Mrs. Christensen was wrong, I humbly request he quit blowing smoke up our shorts.
Shane Bryant
Hidden Valley Lake
