NOTHING TO SEE HERE!

I didn't really have anything new to talk about, I was just kinda tired of seeing my mug up at the top of the page. I saw a report a few days ago that has bugged the hell out of me ever since. It was Speaker of The House Dennis Hastert giving a quick rundown on how many days Congress is in session now as compared to 30 years ago. I tracked this down... Congress 1969-1999 Days in Session 108th (2003-05) 243 107th (2001-03) 265 106th (1999-01) 274 105th (1997-98) 251 104th (1995-96) 290 103rd (1993-94) 265 102nd (1991-92) 277 101st (1989-90) 281 100th (1987-88) 298 99th (1985-86) 281 98th (1983-84) 266 97th (1981-82) 303 96th (1979-80) 326 95th (1977-78) 323 94th (1975-76) 311 93rd (1973-74) 334 92nd (1971-72) 298 91st (1969-70) 350 This is how many days The House meets per Congress. That's every two years. So you can divide the number in half more or less to see how many days your paid representative actually worked per year. Nice huh? See how that number is steadily declining? Hastert described how The Speaker of The House is under tremendous pressure from the various state Reps to not have votes (or important debates) on Fridays or Mondays since everyone wants their 4 day weekend. It's been some 20 years since the minumum wage was increased but every Congress manages a pay raise for itself. And get this! Years ago a congressman had the bright idea that it looked bad when they voted to give themselves a pay raise so they passed a bill that changed the way they vote for that. A non-vote counts as a vote for the raise. That way, everyone can be absent for that vote (and they always are!) and unless 51% of the Reps are present to vote 'no' then the pay riase is passed and it doesn't look bad on anyone's record. Nice huh? Just thought you'ld like to know.