Rep. Sanchez: I can't give up my paycheck

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Politico

While some members of Congress are coming out to say that they don’t want to be paid during a government shutdown or would donate their pay to charity, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) says she’s not willing to forgo her salary.

“I have to tell you, I live paycheck to paycheck, like most Americans,” she said Thursday afternoon on MSNBC. “It's very difficult for me to say, ‘Hey, I can give up my paycheck,’ because the reality is, I have financial obligations that I have to meet on a month-to-month basis that doesn't make it possible for me.”

Sanchez, ranking member on the House Ethics Committee, said she has student loans, a 2-year-old son, and homes in her district and in Washington – expenses that mean she needs every paycheck she gets. House members’ 2011 salary is $174,000.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) wrote to colleagues Thursday morning to ask them to pledge to return their paychecks to the Treasury Department or to donate them to charity if there’s a shutdown. And the House and Senate have each passed separate measures to freeze their pay, though some opponents say it violates the 27th Amendment to the Constitution.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0411/Rep_Sanchez_I_cant_give_up_my_paycheck.html

[Skittles]

1. she makes $174,000 and lives paycheck to paycheck?

WTF

[Dr. Strange]

2. Maybe she's an NFL player?

[Ishoutandscream2]

3. I know, it's mind-boggling

[Justitia]

10. she has residences in both CA & DC, student loans, a kid - I can see it

CA & DC are some of the most expensive housing costs in the country

student loans can be a huge monthly obligation and child care costs for a 2 yr old must be a fortune

I can definitely see how she could live paycheck-to-paycheck on that salary under those conditions

[Lance_Boyle]

11. Bullshit.

She's clearing well over $10K monthly after taxes, and we don't even know her husband's income - odds are the family earns substantially more than her "paltry" congressional salary.

[Justitia]

18. are you calling me a liar, or just being rude?

[Lance_Boyle]

19. Sorta both, although 'liar' doesn't quite fit - you gave an implausible opinion.

That's not a lie.

[Justitia]

20. I gave an opinion, no need to get so nasty if you don't agree.

[JuniperLea]

23. He's flat wrong besides...

Jumping to all sorts of ridiculous conclusions while calling others liars... jeez.

[AllTooEasy]

92. I've lived in DC and CA. That's bullshit. Sanchez is an embarrassment.

Even with 2 houses, a baby, and student loans, spending $174K/yr is living high on the hog. Plus her husband's income and any other she has. Don't all states provide room and board reimbursment for their reps?

[JuniperLea]

120. I don't believe you...

And you aren't considering that figure is before taxes... I make half that, but I don't LIVE on that amount.

You are way more than wrong...

[spooky3]

165. No, they don't all provide that. When did you live in DC and CA? Housing prices are currently double

what they were in 2000, in most of DC--or higher.

[wordpix]

194. It depends on where you live but in DC, best neighborhoods are $1500/mo for a studio

I'm talking about 500 sq. ft. It goes up from there depending on sq. footage and amenities of the bldg. and/or neighborhood.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JuniperLea]

21. I call bullshit on your bullshit...

You clearly have no clue what it takes to live in two places while caring for a family, paying staff salaries, etc. She is very transparent, always has been... and she's my neighbor! She even walks her own damn dog, FCOL! If hubby was making all that, she wouldn't still have student loans.

I earn half her salary, and I live paycheck to paycheck in So Cal too... and I don't have a baby, a nanny, or a staff! It's expensive to live here. Her standard of living here isn't all that either, not in this neighborhood.

[spooky3]

46. I agree with you.

Furthermore, I know the financial affairs of someone who makes much more than $174K per year, and s/he does NOT clear $10K per month, after retirement contributions, health insurance, federal, state, and local taxes, social security, medicare, unemployment, and other mandatory contributions are taken out.

So Cal AND Washington (I live in NoVA) are VERY expensive, even if you have only ONE residence. Many people who live in other parts of the country just cannot grasp how expensive it is.

[JuniperLea]

52. Exactly...

Then there's a full time nanny, living in So Cal (not a fancy neighborhood either, but still expensive)... staff salaries. I'm sure she isn't doing much better than I am at half the price.

[former9thward]

135. She does not pay staff salaries.

The U.S. taxpayer pays those. There is no requirement she has to have a house in DC. Plenty of reps either rent small apartments or live in roommate situation with each other reps or even use their office as their home (which is allowed and free). Unbelievable how greed gets defended here.

[JuniperLea]

178. She pays for her home staff...

She needs someone to care for her baby and care for the home.

It's unbelievable the level of misinformation and lack of understanding basic life principles here.

[former9thward]

187. That is a personal expense which she has chosen and has nothing to do with a shutdown.

That is her choice to have a staff of personal servants. But go ahead and defend greed. How many palatial mansions should we pay for?

[Name removed]

183. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Rage for Order]

77. Do you feel equally bad for Republican Sean Duffy of Wisconsin?

He has a hard time getting by on $14,500 a month as well.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x568313

[JuniperLea]

83. I know nothing about him...

I might if I knew as much detail about him as I do about Sanchez. But I don't, and I don't care to. Please try to stick to the subject.

[Rage for Order]

86. He has student loans, 6 kids, drives a used minivan...

He caught quite a bit of flack for suggesting (just 1 week ago) that he wasn't living high on the hog on his salary of $14,500 a month. He was excoriated, and rightfully so. The only difference is that he's a Republican

[AtheistCrusader]

91. I crapped on that guy too.

He's an ass.

[JuniperLea]

96. If that's the case...

Then yes, that must suck... and I do feel for him. But there is another difference... he hasn't worked his ass off doing good liberal work;) Sanchez has.

[AtheistCrusader]

99. He's worked his ass off doing something all right...

He has six of them.


Look, I know I've been harsh on Sanchez, i'm from another state, so she doesn't work for me. But I hope you can see how a statement like that (assuming it IS actually her words) might leave a bad taste in people's mouths?

If her constituents know her situation and aren't concerned, so be it, more power to her. She doesn't work for me directly anyway, so me not liking that statement doesn't hurt her.

[JuniperLea]

104. I see how it happens that it leaves a bad taste...

Because when you have no point of reference, it might appear different than it is. $174k, or even $85k, is way different in Lakewood, CA, than it is in Council Bluffs, IA, or Palos Verdes, CA, or Beverly Hills 90210. Lakewood is no Bev Hills, let me tell you.

It does hurt her if someone equally unknowing who does live in her district sees the bashing.

[AtheistCrusader]

111. Your cost of living you listed

is not far off from mine. You're paying about 15 cents more a gallon, and that's about it. House payment, etc, are all in-line.

Granted, HER house payment may not resemble yours.
The only way I can imagine things like a housekeeper being necessary, are if she is putting in hours that would make a steelworker cringe, with no overtime.

There may be a labor issue here to address. She can't be enslaved to her job, even if it's a 'easy' desk job. (Not that I think it is 'easy' by any means)

[JuniperLea]

115. She works...

And she has to put time into travel. Those coast to coast flights are murder... very time consuming. I cannot imagine her doing her own housework on top of all that. My commute is only 42 miles round trip, and I can barely find the time to do my own, and I have no babies. She is salary... no overtime. Who watches the baby while she is across the country?

[Justitia]

119. Hey, lady congressfolk should be scrubbing their own toilets

as I'm sure their wealthy male counterparts do - right?

I'm gonna call my congressman, John Culberson, right now, to make sure he is mopping those floors all on his own


:silly:

[JuniperLea]

122. Tell him to get on that laundry too!

He'll need a clean shirt soon!

:crazy:

Wow... my head is spinning from the nonsense... I need to go take a break!

[AtheistCrusader]

125. Wait, why is that wierd?

Is it unreasonable to think the husband might do some housework?

[JuniperLea]

131. Not one single person I know in that salary bracket...

Mows their own lawn, does their own laundry, or watches their own kids more than a few hours. Everyone I know making a salary $100k or greater is worked to the bone by Corporate America... and yes, it is legal. When you are salaried, you are being paid a set amount to do a set job, and however long it takes you is your own business. I am a salaried employee, and that's how it is for me too... even here in uber liberal CA. Labor laws are completely different for hourly wage earners.

[AtheistCrusader]

133. I'm salary. I work minimum 50hrs a week.

Minimum 50. I work from home too, on top of that through RAS.

I still mow my own damn lawn, and take apart my own toilet, and pull the p-trap to get the plastic holder for the toilet paper roll the kiddo flushed...

(nasty business, by the way, I pity plumbers)

I don't understand why a higher pay bracket, that likely comes with similar hours, would require a housekeeper.

Do you have a housekeeper?

Maybe it's 'normal', but it cuts into finances, and its one of those things that adds up to an unsustainable lifestyle, and living paycheck to paycheck.

[Justitia]

138. Bully for you - you should run for congress in your spare time!

Instead of hanging out here on DU

I sure hope you are doing all your own car maintenance, tax preparation, roof repair, house painting, cooking for a family of 6, grocery shopping and electrical work (on top of your lazy 50 hrs of work a week).

I do a lot of those - do I get to ask YOU what you are spending your own money on?

[AtheistCrusader]

143. The only thing on that list I don't do

is my taxes because holy shit, I am not a lawyer.

Just changed the serpentine belt, v-belt and plugs on my '04 Scion. Dealer wanted over 200, I did it for 50 bucks with shipping.

In any case, not here to compare living styles, we just fundamentally disagree on how that statement is perceived by joe taxpayer. Regardless of party affiliation.

Do you disagree with me on my other assertion: DC accomodations should be reimbursable, or covered, and we need more reps to distribute the load?

Didn't the Constitution specify something like 1 rep per 30k constituents?

[joeglow3]

169. You are not getting up in front of the nation and discussing it

BIG difference.

[JuniperLea]

139. I live in one home...

I am salary, but not $100k. I work 50 minimum... but I live 21 miles from the office, not across country. I wear myself out doing housework. If I made another $20k a year, you damn betcha I'd hire a maid!

I don't work in two offices, one in Lakewood, CA and another in Washington DC. Neither do you. Lakewood is nowhere near above her means. Sorry, you really have no argument.

[snooper2]

158. You should get out and meet some folks...

I know a lot of folks making more than 100K who mow their own lawns, have kids, do laundry, change their own oil, replace their own fence, remodel their own bathroom, wash their own cars, do their own grocery shopping, and every thing else they have to to run their household.

Only difference is whether both parents are working and you take turns dropping off/picking up from daycare or if one parent stays home full time. Which is a full time job in itself....


I'm logging in at 9:30 at night for several hours every other evening to do some work, after the baby is down for the night. I know, it's "hard" :eyes:

Maybe someday if I'm making an extra 30-40K a year we'll get a nanny and gripe about how expensive it is.

[Justitia]

127. You know what, it's not worth it when people are just looking to attack, facts don't matter

You did a valiant job trying to discuss economic realities, but all you got was
that she was "living beyond her means",
only rich people have childcare,
she should live out of a cardboard box
and she should be doing her own housework without any help.

For a bunch of "progressives", some of the subtle inferences were not lost on those of us who know better.

[AtheistCrusader]

128. You missed some things.

Like

Subsidizing DC living space for reps and senators.
Adding more reps and senators to bring workload in line with the needs of constituents.

[JuniperLea]

132. You nailed it!

Thanks for shining the hot white light of truth on this! I was feeling like I was giving up, but that's not the case at all. There can be no discussion with the willfully ignorant.

Whew. What a world.

[Justitia]

129. I read my own post & just realized Phyllis Schlafly has been posting all over this thread - LOL!!

:scared:

[sabrina 1]

172. Do you feel as much sympathy for Sean Duffy?

[AtheistCrusader]

121. Granted, I travel for business a lot less.

But I don't mind a red-eye to the east coast. I just mind the food. But that's a personal difference. I am not impacted by jet lag. Some people are.

I would think the husband would watch the baby, but maybe I'm wierd. Can't the husband clean the house too?


I mean, this just sounds like some sort of alien lifestyle.. It doesn't make sense. Aside from not paying for residence abroad, can a public servant like a mom in the military think much of a statement like that? How about a mom working for the state department, abroad? I know one with a 4 year old. She makes it work. People are generally very flexible.

[Rage for Order]

102. Linda Sanchez has been in office for 8 years now

So she's been making over $150,000 for at least 8 years. She's made at least $1.2 million dollars (assuming $150k for 8 years; she actually made more) since she's been in office, and she wasn't able to put any of that money away for a rainy day? She's still "living paycheck to paycheck"? I'm sorry, but I find it difficult to muster up much sympathy. She should take some advice from Dave Ramsey and start living within her means.

[JuniperLea]

107. Things must be mighty different in Fort Worth...

Lakewood is not Fort Worth... I sincerely think you have no clue what you are talking about. How many children have you raised in So Cal? How many homes, renting or otherwise, have you paid for in So Cal. It's different here... very, very different.

For example, I make three times the salary of my cousin in Council Bluffs, Iowa... but her home is far nicer than mine... much, much larger, and very fancy. She bought her home for what I put down on my home, and my home is 1/4 the size.

It is very different here. Very.

I make half of Sanchez salary, and we live in the same 'hood. She is NOT living above her means by any stretch of the imagination.

[Justitia]

112. LOL - I'm a Texan who used to live in those parts - trust me, it's planet Mars compared to you

in regards to cost

the comparison is laughable in the extreme

[JuniperLea]

117. I thought so!

Judging by the reactions from people coming to visit So Cal, and price discussions here, it can't be anywhere near the same.

Perspective is everything!

:hug:

[AtheistCrusader]

123. Try hawaii.

North of $8 a gallon for milk, last I visited. I can't even remember the gas prices. Plus, flights to DC suck almost twice as hard.

[JuniperLea]

134. I'm betting no one would beat an eyelash...

If they heard that a Hawaiian CongressCritter finds it hard to make ends meet.

[AtheistCrusader]

136. Depends on how it was phrased, I suppose.

[JuniperLea]

140. Well, that's what it boils down to for Sanchez too...

Words... either misspoken, or misrepresented. When you scratch the surface, what was said isn't all that.

[snooper2]

160. See post 159

[Name removed]

184. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sabrina 1]

167. Lol, but he's a Republican!! She's a Democrat! Can't you see the

difference? :sarcasm:

[Skittles]

155. FUCK YES

I feel the same about ALL our overpaid politicians, whining while they fail to solve the real problems WE THE PEOPLE face

[atreides1]

27. Not much info on her husband

He has 3 sons from a previous marriage, he ran for Congress but lost, even in his wife's bios he's mentioned but nothing more then a name...

He's from Norwich, CT.

Found a little more about him...former city councillor for the City of Norwich, serve as a commissioner for Norwich Public Utilities and a board representative to the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Commission.

Professionally, Sullivan worked in the financial services industry for 12 years before running full time for Congress. He had previously been the branch manager at the UBS Financial Services office in New London.

That's it so far, nothing about what he may be doing now.

[No Elephants]

197. Either he's bringing in a salary, too, or not . In any case, he can help around the house.

For that matter, what about her first husband, Valentine? No child support and/or help with his kids?

No idea why some here are acting as though Sanhez is an unwed teen mom whose Baby Daddy has flown and all of whose relatives are shunning her.

But, all of that is beside the point. $174k a year, plus great benefits and very few "office" days is more than manageable.

[monmouth]

25. I can believe it too. Factoring in all that she stated, very believable...n/t

[elleng]

63. Definitely, and cost of living in both places high.

[harun]

162. I agree, 174K in any major metropolitan area is not going to make

someone rich, or even put them very far ahead in their finances. For one they will pay a huge amount of taxes.

I've lived in the Midwest, the West coast and now the Northeast. 30K a year in the Midwest is equal to about 120K in the Metro areas. In terms of lifestyle and extra money.

[golfguru]

186. She does not have to be in TWO metro areas

Her district in CA has many moderate cost housing.

[wordpix]

195. the incumbent party has to keep those dollars coming in so the "shuttle campaigning" must go on

legal bribery as it is :grr:

[golfguru]

185. I have two kids in college

and we can live just fine on half her income. The room and board for the 2 college
students is higher than what we spend on our living expenses.

Rep. Sanchez needs to scale down her living style.

[karynnj]

31. She explained she college loans and a home in her district and in DC

With a two year old, she likely has day care and the baby likely lives with her in DC - meaning that sharing a House as some do, is really not an option.

[JuniperLea]

33. I'm sure she pays airfare out of her own pocket...

For the child and the nanny. If her husband had all that much money, she wouldn't still have student loans. She doesn't live in a fancy neighborhood in Lakewood, CA, either... I know... I live here too! Food, gas, EVERYTHING is far more expensive here. People just don't get it.

This is a really horrible attack on a woman who has done so much for us... and it's an ill-advised, and ill-informed attack at that!

[karynnj]

37. True - she would have to

I agree with you on this.

The thing is there are many in Congress who can easily do this. However, I have seen a million posts here on DU complaining that too many legislators are millionaires. Some of the same people are complaining about her. Here, it is very easy to see that it could be a big a problem.

As to those speaking of not being good at budgeting - it is silly, because you assume you will have the pay that you earn.

[JuniperLea]

42. Actually, her budgeting must be excellent to do all that...

On her salary. She isn't from money... her parents emigrated here and she comes from very modest means.

I think its rude, crude, and telling all the jumping to conclusions that's going on here. This thread speaks more to the lack of intelligence of DU than it does on anything related to Sanchez.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

64. true

[No Elephants]

190. As of 2008 EVERY single U.S. Senator was a MULTI millionaire. Any Dem not

troubled by that in the slightest baffles me. (Biden was poorest with $2.5 million. Your man, Kerry, was highest because of his wife's fortune and his own money.)



"As to those speaking of not being good at budgeting - it is silly, because you assume you will have the pay that you earn."



100% untrue.

I am surprised that you, karynnj, being a lawyer, would be unaware just how false that statement is. Sanchez was a lawyer before running for Congress, so I am surprised at her, too.


Good budgeting includes both long-term savings and savings for emergencies, like illness and layoffs. Every single financial advisor I've ever heard or read recommends having at least six months living expenses put away for emergencies, more in this economy. For just one thing, if you should become disabled, OASDI takes longer than than to make a determination.


Who or what guarantees Sanchez re-election every two years? If she and her husband truly cannot do without even one paycheck, what will happen to her, her husband and her 3 children if she loses a primary or an election? How irresponsible is she with her kids and her money if she takes risks like that?

[TNLib]

142. If she has a house in DC and in Cali then I can see why she lives pay to pay check

Those areas are very expensive.

[snooper2]

159. She's not counting her holdings, maybe sell some BoA stock if it's that bad

http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/pfd_img.php?year=2009&id=N00024870

Net Worth: From $221,024 to $1,280,997
Rank: 215th in House

Assets: 23 totaling $586,024 to $1,421,000

Liabilities: 4 totaling $140,003 to $365,000


http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00024870&year=2009

Assets
Organization Value
American Funds 529 Plan GFA $1,001 to $15,000
American Funds Growth Fund of America $1,001 to $15,000
AMR Growth Fund $15,001 to $50,000
Bank of America $15,001 to $50,000
Bank of America/Savings $1,001 to $15,000
Cisco Systems $2,002 to $30,000
Citadel Broadcasting $1 to $1,000
HLS Total Return Bond Fund $15,001 to $50,000
Intel Corp $1,001 to $15,000
Investment Co of America Fund $1,001 to $15,000
Microsoft Corp $1,001 to $15,000
Peoples United Bank $1 to $1,000
Peoples United Bank/CDs $15,001 to $50,000
Pfizer Inc $1,001 to $15,000
Real Property $500,002 to $1,000,000
Time Warner $1 to $1,000
Trans World Entertain $1 to $1,000
UBS Ag $15,001 to $50,000
UBS Financial Services Money Market $1,001 to $15,000
US Savings Bond $1 to $1,000
Wal-Mart Stores $1 to $1,000
Walt Disney Co $1,001 to $15,000

[hedgehog]

179. Two houses ( in expensive localities) plus student loans, not to mention

day care plus probably some sort of household cleaning service plus lawn care. I expect that while John Bohner is out on the golf courses most afternoons, Mz. Sanchez is putting in a 60 hour week, so I don't begrudge her hiring house cleaners and landscapers.

[MiniMe]

4. And the government workers don't?

They have bills too, but they don't have an option to keep getting their paychecks.

[CreekDog]

9. shoot, all the things I want to say, I'd rather say to Loretta

:wtf: i like Linda. :shrug:

[SkyDaddy7]

16. My wife works for the Federal Government and...

They were told they were not even allowed to use their government issued cell phones once the government is shut down!!

I can't believe she actually said what she did!

[spooky3]

53. but she didn't say they did - and I'll bet every action she has taken has been to

try to support those workers and get these problems resolved.

Blame the tea partiers for deliberately being obstinate, not the Dems.

[Life Long Liberal]

5. Wow, just a fail! n/t

[xchrom]

6. i don't know what to say -- dems didn't start this thing -- but if dems are going along

with ANY of the 'shared sacrifice' nonsense -- then they should do something albeit symbolic.

[CreekDog]

7. Neither can your own constituents that make one-third your salary!

except there's a difference: they WILL be giving up their paychecks, you won't.

[Lance_Boyle]

8. jeebus

Living "paycheck to paycheck" on $174K annually means you're piss poor at handling your money, Sanchez. Maybe your district needs someone more responsible to represent it.

That's $10,875/month after taxes assuming 25% - not figuring in the successful reproduction bonus we subsidize for her. Maybe she needs to scale back one or both homes.

[JuniperLea]

26. Bullshit...

Utter, ridiculous bullshit.

Her Lakewood home isn't all that. You don't have a fucking clue what you're talking about.

[savalez]

41. so what are you saying?

[JuniperLea]

44. Clearly you've given no thought to her expenses...

She isn't a wealthy woman, she comes from modest means. She doesn't live in a fancy neighborhood in So Cal... I know because she is my neighbor. Think about paying a staff, and paying for two MODEST homes, and a nanny, and airfare for her family traveling. Plus, food, gas... everything is far more expensive in So Cal than nearly anywhere else in the US... except for New York and DC... and DC is where her other modest home is.

[snooper2]

55. FYI when you are wealthy you call it a nanny...

us poor folk have babysitters and daycare :eyes:

[JuniperLea]

She can't be with the baby like we can...

She needs a full time person. She isn't rich by any stretch. And you have no clue. Babysitters sit for a few hours, daycare for a few hours more... when you live on two coasts, you need a bit more than that. But don't let reality get in the way of your unreal hating.

[savalez]

56. Clearly you make a lot of assumptions about what others are thinking.

Living in CA does not mean that you are obligated to live above your means. If $174k is not enough for her to discontinue living check to check (which is not very responsible) she should downsize.

[JuniperLea]

75. I'm making no assumptions at all

I'm going directly by what is being said here, and my own personal knowledge of her So Cal neighborhood because I live there too... there isn't one home in this neighborhood that is flashy, opulent, or anything of the sort. If anything, it's embarrassing that a Rep needs to live in this area at all! If it were Palos Verdes, I would agree with you. Trust me, Lakewood is nowhere near Palos Verdes, except on a very small map.

You don't know what you are talking about... not at all. I pay $2000 for a 2 bedroom townhome in what I call the ghetto... hers, I hope, is a nicer home... but there's nothing in this neighborhood that would be even remotely considered above her means by any stretch. She is very much like Gov. Brown... she chooses to live with the people she represents.

[savalez]

141. JuniperLea, simple yes or no question for you...

Do you think living above your means is a responsible thing to do?

__ Yes
__ No

Check one.

[U4ikLefty]

188. Lakewood is "the ghetto"???

:rofl:

[SharonAnn]

175. And our troops who are away from home, paying for child care, etc.?

They, who make far less than $174,000 a year can do without?

WTH???

I under Ms. Sanchez's dismay, but responsibility for the government shutdown belongs to the House of Representatives. She gets tarred by being part of it.

Sorry, but it goes with the territory.

Many of us, in life, have to deal with the repercussions
of other people's actions. Particularly when we're in a responsible position like she is.

[Fuddnik]

57. Don't we have the ridiculous potty mouth today.

[Justitia]

60. that was in response to all the "potty mouths" that posted earlier

try to catch up

[JuniperLea]

78. How about following DU rules and discussing issues instead of people?

I will understand if that's all you have, because this thread is full of misconceptions and downright lies... which you seem to support given your personal attack.

[Rex]

108. +1

[Justitia]

114. make sure you "+1" where it all started

[christx30]

82. When I was laid

from Dell, I didn't have the option to keep my paychecks going. I was forced to get 2 jobs and move into a shithole apartment to support my wife and my 2 kids.
I have no sympathy for someone making $174k a year (paid for with my tax money) whining about having to give up a couple of paychecks. If she can't swing 2 homes, get a smaller place in each city and give up the housekeeper. Live within your means and you can do it.
A lot of people are in worse shape than she is. I need to get the brakes fixed on my van. Will probably cost me over $300. Which I don't have. Not by a long shot. But I can't just decide to tax someone more so I can get it. I have to find a 3rd job in order to get it done.

[JuniperLea]

101. Utter fertilizer...

She is living within her means. I make half what she makes, and we live in the same neighborhood. I don't pay for childcare... I don't pay for family travel... I don't have to pay for a lot of what she pays and I'm living paycheck to paycheck too. Yet, if I lived near my cousins in Council Bluffs Iowa, I could live high on the hog on my salary. Location, location, location. She lives in the district she represents... and we ain't all that.

[orangeapple]

65. is it any wonder

that the nation is in such a fiscal hole when people like this are entrusted to manage TRILLIONS on our behalf?

"Living "paycheck to paycheck" on $174K annually means you're piss poor at handling your money, Sanchez. Maybe your district needs someone more responsible to represent it."

[quakerboy]

148. 25% is a little low

I make a small percentage of what she makes, and I pay more than that after all the taxes they take out. I would guess that its closer to 33%. So 9,570.

Figure she is a responsible person planning for the future. So 1000 off the top for retirement savings. leaving 8,570

Based on a quick look at Real estate in that area, a nice but not extreme home,$2000/month for mortgage payment. 6,570

Rent in DC, near the capitol, based on a quick web search, 1500. so 5,070 left

Utilities, another 570 seems fair. 4500

Food for the family, plus on the go, 1500. $3000 left.

Student loans. UCBerkley plus UCLA Law. Based on what I am paying, I would guess under $1000 if she had anything like decent student aid aid, but we will be liberal, since we are here after all. 1500. $1500 left.

Medical?
Childcare?
Transportation.
Christmas presents for the children of 6 siblings
I dunno if they have to pay for any of their own flights to get to the capitol, but I would guess that if the family wants to come they do get to pay for that.
Of course these things may hopefully be counterbalanced by the husband earning an income or working in the home.

Granted I think that for many of us this would be a very generous living. Based on what I have done in my life so far, I feel safe in saying that I would have socked away enough to at least cover a few months of disruption without panic. But we are accustomed to less, and we do not have to try to keep up with being a congresswoman. I both sympathize and disagree with her stance on this.

[Purveyor]

12. $174k salary! Cry me a fucking river and stay off my television set! eom

[City Lights]

13. Poor you, Linda!

:nopity:

IMO, if the Reteabaglicans shut down the government, there should be no exemptions. Period. If government checks stop for one, they should stop for all. Instead our "leaders" often exempt themselves from the misery they inflict on us. :mad: :grr: The time for shared sacrifice is here.

[Moondog]

14. Aw bullshit.

If she can't manage her own money better than that, I sure as hell don't want her managing ours.

Primary her, and get someone else, someone less embarrassing, in there lest some Puke actually get a shot at taking her out.

[JuniperLea]

28. Spoken like someone who hasn't a clue...

Tell me what her So Cal neighborhood is all about... please.

[Moondog]

34. CA 39th. Do your own research.

[JuniperLea]

38. I don't need to do research... she's my neighbor!!

And you are clueless... and you didn't answer the question either... very telling.

[Moondog]

40. Heh. Think what you like. Thanks for playing. Bye.

[JuniperLea]

45. Willful ignorance won't get you far...

Nor will knee jerk hating on someone who has done so much for Democrats.

[atreides1]

15. Well

800,000 of those Americans have the same kinds of obligations...she's not the only one.

My wife and I together still don't make what she's getting...and we have a mortgage, a car payment, granted we don't have a 2-year-old son but we do have 3 adult children who often ask for help, and a 13 year-old dog, who was just recently described as being pampered.:)

We don't have a house in another state, and my wife paid off her student loans while she was in the USAF.

And we live in Virginia right outside D.C., so the cost of living isn't inexpensive for us either.

It's a little difficult for me to feel much sympathy for her.

[NICO9000]

17. Wow, talk about tone deaf

Maybe she should retire from Congress and go become a PR flack for Trans-Oceanic?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

24. I'm living unemployment check to unemployment check. Give me a f'ing break.

[Sherman A1]

29. One thinks that the Good Congressperson needs

to take a bit of a broader view. Certainly she has expenses, but so do the folks who are going to do without assuming a shut down.

It is better to be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

[JuniperLea]

49. You might take your own advice...

And then school us all on what you think it would cost to run two homes, care for a child, pay staff salaries, etc., all in two of the most expensive areas in the US.

[Sherman A1]

105. And Ms Sanchez was forced to take this job?

Or did she do so without fully understanding the costs v benefits that it entailed?

No, she asked for the job, the voters agreed and now it is her job to do for better or worse.

There are a whole lot of people out there with families, a myriad of expenses and dramatically lower incomes who have to figure out how to make ends meet and do so every day. They get up in the morning, go to work (perhaps more than one job) and in many cases quietly figure it out.

Defend her all you like, but she was the one who opened her mouth in a rather public fashion.

Had she not, this thread would not be here.

[Justitia]

109. wasn't that her whole point? That she needs a paycheck like everybody else?

That she ISN'T like MOST millionaire representatives in Congress?

Well, she is certainly getting crucified for telling the truth.

[JuniperLea]

113. She was showing how she is much like the rest of us...

Do you think there aren't people on DU who make $174k a year? I make half that and I live in her neighborhood! She isn't living above her means!

Yes, she asked for and took the job on her own with no force... that has zero to do with the discussion. She isn't a wealthy person and she cannot go long without a paycheck. Why is that so hard to understand?

[LiberalFighter]

30. How much is Sanchez's home in California and how much in/near DC?

How much are transportation costs back and forth to California?

As for Joe Manchin... I wouldn't listen to him. He might actually be worse than Senator Bayh.

[JuniperLea]

35. Her Lakewood, CA neighborhood isn't fancy at all...

I live there, I know. I pay nearly $2000 a month for a 2 bedroom townhouse with a small office. And it's nearly ghetto living here, I kid you not. She walks her own dog too... in the same park where my dogs get walked. It's hella expensive here too... gas, food, everything is far more expensive here. She has a staff, and childcare expenses.

I'm finding this thread utter disgusting, rude, and horribly stupid.

[AtheistCrusader]

70. I have a two year old. I walk my own dog. I get by with less than half that with a similar house pay

ment.

Maybe she should try a less expensive apartment in DC? Instead of a house?
She has many options to reduce costs.

[JuniperLea]

110. How much good have you done for your fellow citizens?

She works her ass off for us, and she isn't living above her means. She can't in Lakewood, CA. It's impossible.

[AtheistCrusader]

116. Public good is not in the equation of income-outgo.

A studio apartment in DC can go for $900/month.

Perhaps living arrangments in DC should be tax-breaks or reimbursable. If that's an issue, it should be looked into. Maybe something useful can come of this thread.

[LiberalFighter]

103. I agree. I know that it is expensive in California

and to equate that every member of Congress would pay the same expenses is stupid.

I have a 3 bedroom ranch with about 1300 sq ft and pay about 1/3 less than you for mortgage and taxes. They say that cost of living is lower here but my home town when I go back has grocery prices that are lower and gas is sometimes lower.

[No Elephants]

198. What her homes DO cost and what they SHOULD cost may be 2 very different things.

She has a husband whose income we don't know and a former husband who may or may not be paying hild support and she is making $174K a year with excellent perks (formerly a lawyer).

If despite all that, you are still living paycheck and you have 3 young uns, something is very wrong. You need to reduce expenses, housing costs being an expense, or increase income, or both, not whine to people whose unemployment ran out long ago or who are trying to raise families on $35,000 a year.

Anything else is bullshit.

[Wait Wut]

32. Wow.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say she regretted this statement as soon as it crossed her lips. If she didn't, she had better run as a Republican next time.

[JuniperLea]

36. How much do you know about living in So Cal and DC?

Not squat is my guess.

[Wait Wut]

59. Not DC...

...but the kid, stepkids and extended family all live in SoCal. I understand that it's expensive, but living in Chicago was no free ride, either. I was making good money, though, and knew to put some aside for emergencies (which ALWAYS happen). Even with inflation, I doubt that I was making nearly what she's making. 20 years ago, I was making $60g/yr, raising a young son (around the 7ish range) on my own with no financial support. I lived in an above average apartment for $850/mo, had a car payment and helped to take care of my parents. I still managed to sock away over $100/mo.

I see from your previous post that this is your neighbor. You may know more about her than we do, but instead of attacking those of us that are doubting her claim that she's making over $170g/yr and lives paycheck to paycheck, maybe you should have a neighborly chat with her and let her know how her statement went over with your fellow DUers. If nothing else, maybe she could take a drastic cut to get by, or make some type of good will gesture so she doesn't come off as horribly as she has.

I'm not sure it's going to help, however. I'm not certain what she could possibly say or do to convince me. Sell the home in DC and rent a room? Seriously, these are not the times for any politician to be complaining about living paycheck to paycheck.

[JuniperLea]

72. She is renting in DC...

And I pay $2000 a month for a crappy 2 bedroom townhouse in her neighborhood. Gas is $4.20 a gallon, and milk is over $5. $850 a month will get you a five flight walk up, 200 square foot apartment in the barrio around here that you can share with the cockroaches, bedbugs, and druggies.

I see very little "doubting" here and a whole lotta smearing with ridiculous, clueless statements. This woman has done so much for us, and she doesn't deserve this bullshit at all. The assumptions here are ridiculous.

I fully intend to discuss the statement, which I'm willing to bet right now was cherry picked.

[Wait Wut]

80. Keep us posted.

I honestly have almost always agreed with all of your posts. If this is bugging you this much maybe there is something else we need to know. I'm just not sure it's going to help.

Try replacing her name with a Republican name and reread the statement. Wouldn't you be making some of the same accusations that the rest of us are?

Anyway...find out some facts for us and let us know.

Oh...the $850 I was paying was over 20 years ago. The last I checked (about 10 years ago) it was $1200. It was a nice place and I wanted to move back after my divorce. $1200 was a bit steep. I have no clue what they would go for now. The matching building next door went condo.

[JuniperLea]

87. What's bugging me is a knee jerk response...

From so many on something they know nothing about. I would feel equally toward anyone, regardless of race, sex, job, if they had done so much for so many and were being attacked for no reason by people who know nothing.

She is not a Republican, and she has done a lot of very good work for the people. This is bugging me because it is hateful and based on zero fact.

[AtheistCrusader]

85. You're right, it probably was cherry picked.

But it sounds tone deaf as all hell to other people struggling to get by around the country.

Am I supposed to ignore it? If she said it, she said it.

[PassingFair]

67. Why should she regret it, she's being HONEST.

She's having to maintain TWO residences far
apart from each other.

She is NOT a millionaire/billionaire who bought
her way into a seat.

Keep up with the silly demands, and the only
people who can afford to hold a congressional
seat will be CRIMINALS.

Sanchez is A-OK.

[savalez]

39. $174K and living paycheck to paycheck?

I think a lifestyle examination is in order.

[AnOhioan]

43. My heart breaks for her, not...sorry, but $174K/yr is plenty

If she has trouble paying her bills, then she is spending way too much.

[JuniperLea]

47. Bullshit...

Tell me how much you think she should be paying for just the one home in So Cal... the care of her child, airfare... paying staff salaries... think about it.

[AnOhioan]

51. Does have a personal staff???

Cause any Congressional staff are payed by the gov't...not out of her salary.

[JuniperLea]

54. Her nanny isn't...

Housekeepers aren't...

[AtheistCrusader]

73. needed.

I'm guessing you were fumbling for a word after that houskeeper elipsis, and it was 'needed'.
You also double-dipped in 'child care' and 'nanny'.


I WISH I had her problems.

[Justitia]

sure - who needs working mothers in Congress?

:crazy:

[AtheistCrusader]

84. If she can't do her work in a normal workday like the rest of us, maybe congress needs a union.

Eh?

Where's dad? Are we suddenly holding professional women to a different standard than men now? I get confused sometimes.

When my wife was working and I wasn't, I took care of the kid. Dad's can be moms too. Now that I'm working, when I go on site around the country, I don't take the kid with me. That would be ridiculous, because I would have to pay for it.

She can get a cheaper apartment in DC, instead of a HOUSE in DC. A housekeeper isn't necessary at all. Show me military families, especially the female soldiers with kids, that pay for housekeepers. Never met one in my life.

Sorry, she's in a situation of her own making.

[Justitia]

90. maybe you need to dedicate your life to public service

since you've got it all figured out

you've got the drive and wherewithal to do that, right?

[AtheistCrusader]

94. For that kind of paycheck, you might be surprised what I would do.

And I was serious about the union thing.

If they can't get the job done in a normal workday, we need more people working on the issue. If that means constitutional amendment to update/rebalance senators and reps, so be it.

Public servants should not be slaves to an insurmountable workload.

[JuniperLea]

81. Please try to keep up...

That was a reply to a specific post in a specific conversation... making your comment both unintelligible and a personal attack.

[AtheistCrusader]

88. How is that a personal attack?

By all means, spell it out.

[JuniperLea]

98. You said I was fumbling for words...

I do not fumble, and I would consider that an insult, even if it were true it is insulting.

[AtheistCrusader]

100. It is a figure of speech

but if you took it as an insult, I genuinely apologize. I am not upset with you.

Edit: Shit I can't even spell genuine...

[WatsonT]

181. There are a lot of people struggling right now who would consider

two houses, a personal staff, and a nanny to be slightly more than "barely getting by".

[damntexdem]

48. But that's the point: most of us can't.

[Luciferous]

50. I get that she lives in an expensive area of the country and has

to maintain 2 homes and all that, but come on! I find it hard to believe she lives paycheck to paycheck on 174,000 a year unless she really mismanages her money.

[savalez]

68. Agreed. Nobody is obligated to live above their means.

[frylock]

58. classic NU-DU; jumping all over one of the few true progressives in congress..

this place fucking sucks anymore. it really does.

[Justitia]

69. no kidding - this woman comes from modest means, put herself thru college to become a LABOR lawyer

which has got to be one of the more hardworking, underpaid legal professions after public defender

people ignorant of the true cost of living in these areas
and raising kids
AND being a full-time public servant
want to crucify her for saying she has to live like most people in this country

no wonder republicans laugh at us

[AtheistCrusader]

74. I'd jump on anyone making that sort of statement.

Give it a day, we'll hear the same sort of thing from a bunch of republicans too. You watch.
Great big crocodile tears.

[AnOhioan]

61. Median income for her district.....$45,307

Betting her constituents would love her salary for their own.

[snooper2]

62. 174,000 - 28% = 125,280 / 12 = 10,440 month take-home

It's hard :eyes:

[Pisces]

163. Might sound like a lot, but that is not a huge amount of money when she has to travel back and forth

I think many on DU would prefer these people be poverty stricken. She is being honest about living paycheck to paycheck and it's still not enough for many on this board. Should she live in Compton
or South Central in LA? Living in CA is expensive and DC is even more expensive. Childcare is ridiculous, unless family is helping out and add on regular bills and food and she has gone through her
paycheck.

Those on this board living on less can't imagine having this large windfall and still being tight, but that's because you aren't comparing apples to apples. You are applying your bills and your lifestyle to
that amount.

[alarimer]

66. I hate politicians.

As a group, they are utterly clueless and out of touch. I thought Sanchez was one of the good ones. She should know better than to complain about not getting paid when so many people are out of work completely. Now I blame any government shutdown completely on the Republicans because they are such vile assholes but it is pretty tone-deaf for her to complain when thousands and thousands of government workers NOT getting paid almost $200K will really be hurting if that happens.

If you are not making enough money Rep. Sanchez, maybe you should go be a lobbyist like the rest of your ilk. Otherwise shut up. If government employees have to go without pay, so should you.

[SoulSearcher]

71. You see so much waste via news stories,

It probably gives the impression that all politicians automatically = Royalty.
Plus, it certainly seems that most really are well off - but she does not
sound like one of them. I'd say it could have been worded better to make the
same point.

[Justitia]

76. I want a RICH WHITE MALE rep who can afford to treat this shutdown like a vacation!

For whom not getting paid a few days / weeks is like picking up a lobbyist lunch in DC!

Who can dump his kids on his stay-at-home wife, not wash a dish or wipe a nose and jet all over the country, meeting with corporate fat cats on a whim!

I want my representative to have piles of cash and nothing but time to draaaaaaggggg out this shutdown for as long as it takes to teach everybody a lesson.

Oh wait - I DO have that representative, AND that governor, AND those Senators because I fucking live in Texas and can only ever dream of having a rep like Sanchez.

[Downwinder]

79. That pay would keep me going for more than seventeen years.

And they are begrudging me my Social Security check.

[mwooldri]

89. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez is making a valid point.

Check out opensecrets.org - their data is only up to 2009 but assuming all is the same between 2009 and now, Ms. Sanchez can afford some sacrifice - even if it is just a token.

There are plenty of members of Congress who have far less net worth than her: Congressman Pete Stark (D) California - negative $20 million (soured real estate investments) is at the bottom of the net worth scale in 2009

There are those with much more: Congressman Darrell Issa (R) about $400 million net worth - he is the wealthiest as reported in 2009.

Also to compare - in 2009 Ms. Sanchez had a net worth about 10x greater than that of Vice President Joe Biden.

But then yes there are "rich" people who literally do live paycheck to paycheck. Fortunately Ms. Sanchez can make sacrifices but she has stated a truth: some rich people are actually broke.

Mark.

[MasonJar]

93. My Representative, John Yarmuth, donates his salary to charity every month.

But he can afford to. He is one fine representative of the LEFT too. Then there are the rest of the reps from Kentucky.

[Welibs]

95. 14,500.00 A MONTH AND SHE CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET???

OMG, this woman makes a lot of money!!! Are you sure she's not a Republican, they're not good with money either.

[Arrowhead2k1]

147. Well, she does have a very big house.

Which means very big bills. :rofl:

[truthisfreedom]

97. Except for the filthy rich, most people live a lifestyle that represents their income level.

That usually means they buy houses that are at the limit they can afford to pay and accumulate expenses and debt that allow them the most comfortable lifestyle their income can reach. She's not rich. After taxes she probably brings in under $10k per month which would easily disappear if she was paying off her student loan in full and paying on a couple of houses worth $300K. She has no choice but to live somewhere in DC. Yes, perhaps she should have chosen an apartment, but does her child live with her? Does she have a dog? A partner?

The level of thoughtlessness on this board continues to amaze me. I believe very strongly that we have a lot of rethug moles on the board stirring up trouble attacking good Democrats.

[Rex]

106. How do you live paycheck to paycheck and make 174k a year?

How out of touch are these people!!?!?! Maybe it is me, anyone here live paycheck to paycheck on 174k a year?

[inwiththenew]

118. I don't know how anyone survives on under $200k a year

:sarcasm:

[MikeW]

124. no sympathy from me ... Im one of the 800K feds that will go without pay if they shut it down

My heart bleeds for her ... not.

:nopity:

[Patchuli]

130. I have nothing personal against Rep. Sanchez

but I think if small gov employees are expected to take pay cuts, furloughs and job cuts, I think the bigger govt employees should be willing to sacrifice also. As to how she or the rest can cut back expenses, I guess that's none of my business but I know our lifestyle has certainly suffered because of the economic mess. We went from having a decent nestegg for retirement, having equity in our home and jobs to loss of all three. I think our representatives should be prepared to suffer with us as an incentive to get it done and keep the govt going. By us, I am saying that I am a small govt employee and have had furlough days, pay cuts and may get a pink slip.

Hopefully, I won't get my leg bit off by some of the over-reactive posters in here for saying my say.

[mitchtv]

151. I have nothing against the representative Sanchez, either

but if the job doesn't get done, and the checks stop coming,she should be prepared to go without as well.Defacto proof that they are not essential employees.As a union employee, I always had to have enough on the side for when the contract ended, to last a few months.

[Patchuli]

153. Is there an echo in here?

I think that your point was exactly my point. I am union also and have had to sacrifice. I see no reason why the 'big shots' should not do that as well.

[ProSense]

126. "Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) wrote to colleagues Thursday morning"

after voting with Republicans on Wednesday to gut the EPA.

[AtheistCrusader]

137. Holy shit.

I missed that.

[howaboutme]

145. Life is tough on $174K as a Congressperson

That's why they tout themselves as public servants and that's why they spend $Millions getting elected.

None of it makes any sense. Why doesn't she use her office as her apartment as some of them do during the week? Better yet why did she run for office if the pay wasn't good enough.

[Corruption Winz]

144. While this seems like a lot of money..

It's not too difficult to see someone making this type of money and still not living it up. The economy is tough and if she has a kid, also school loans and bills to pay in two of the biggest markets in America, it's understandable.

With different living situations and incomes comes different needs.

[David__77]

146. A mortgage in her district could eat up half her net income.

I probably net half what she does, and I could never afford to live down there unless I was in a studio apartment.

[Wabbajack_]

149. Damn it

why does one of ours have to say this?

[totodeinhere]

150. I wish I made $174,000 so I could struggle from paycheck to paycheck.

And even if she can't afford to give up her paycheck, what about the federal employees making $30,000 a year who will be giving up their paychecks? How does she expect them to survive?

[Throd]

152. Just where in Lakewood does she live?

[classysassy]

154. Maybe she should do as the republicans do

accept bribes.

[Javaman]

156. Most amazing post ever!

Last week or was it earlier this week a repuke came out and stated the exact same thing that Rep. Sanchez stated. That he couldn't do with out his pay of 174k per year.

The members of DU piled on. There were the usual crybaby replies, the usual "try living on what I do" replies, and the "life is tough" replies, yet, now that one our own Dem reps makes the same complaint, out come the defenders.

Hypocrisy is not very pretty.

[howaboutme]

161. Not too many defending her

I agree, hypocrisy is most disgusting and a strictly human "quality". It is the one aspect of politics that I find disturbing and disgusting. Double standards should be morally outlawed and exposed, yet we see them accepted too often in the political arena.

[No Elephants]

199. I counted 18 defending her so far. Please see also Reply 200.

[No Elephants]

157. What on earth are the House and Senate thinking?

"The Twenty-seventh Amendment (Amendment XXVII) prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of the Congress from taking effect until the start of the next set of terms of office for Representatives. It is the most recent amendment to the United States Constitution, having been ratified in 1992, 203 years after its initial submission in 1789."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-seventh_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution


Jaysus, is there NO part of the Constitution of the U.S. these fokkers won't ignore, violate or shred anymore?

[LanternWaste]

164. the progressive penchant for tolerating other people, lifestyles, and pursuits...

If this thread illustrates one thing, it's the progressive penchant for tolerating other people, lifestyles, and pursuits... unless they earn more than $x annually.

(X=the wholly subjective "it's more than I make...")

[spooky3]

166. Yes, the Koch bros. are thrilled that Dems are attacking other Dems rather than

putting themselves in her/their position(s), and recognizing that the problem is Koch et al. It's as if all those great toons that have been posted here depicting this very problem have gone right over their heads.

[Rex]

168. Bullshit.

If that number wasn't substantial you might have a case.

[joeglow3]

170. Come on people. She ONLY has between half a million and 1.5 million

She must be struggling:

http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00024870&year=2009

[Justitia]

171. you have a reading comprehension problem, tell me you're not an accountant

[joeglow3]

173. CPA here. You appear to have a math comprehension issue.

Investments of half a million dollars can be tapped during times of difficulty, without having to pay any debt. I have had to do it myself.

[Justitia]

174. also CPA here - and if you are one, you should know better than to mislead like that

[joeglow3]

182. And yet, I have no clue what you are talking about

My wife and I make about $120,000 a year. We have about $500,000 saved. While I would certainly HATE for my paycheck to stop for a month or two, I most certainly am NOT living paycheck to paycheck. However, even if I currently am, I have managed to accumulate half a million in assets, which can be tapped in the event of an emergency like this. Even if it is all in retirement, I can take out a loan against it and avoid and early withdrawal penalties.

Thus, I am missing where I am misleading people.

[joeglow3]

192. STILL waiting

Can you let me know?

[JuniperLea]

177. Two homes could eat that up totally...

Her home in Lakewood is probably in the $500k range... mine is $300k and I hope to God hers is better than mine!

You don't know shit... you really don't.

[defendandprotect]

176. Interesting ... and would it also involve SUSPENSION of HEALTH CARE 4 Congress --???

[Buns_of_Fire]

180. After reading the replies, both pro and con, I have come to this conclusion:

This is perhaps one issue that Rep. Sanchez needn't have elaborated on to MSNBC. In this climate, people just aren't in the mood to listen to a lot of whining or justifications from congresscritters, valid or not.

[No Elephants]

189. Democrats debating this with a straight face?

[snooper2]

191. i think only two

[No Elephants]

200. I've counted 18 defending her so far. Others saw both sides, or were non-commital or ambiguous,

and some simply changed the subject. And some just posted the equivalent of "Ignore the Democrat behind the curtain of tone deaf entitlement," (and/or) "Quick, look at a Republican instead."

Those defending, with one degree of persistance and pith (and vinegar) or another, included Justitia, Juniper Lea, Karynnj, spooky 3, Monmouth, elleng, harun, TNLib, hedgehog, PassingFair, frylock, La Lioness Priyanka, pisces, soulsearcher, mwooldri, classysassy, David-77 and truthisfreedom.

(I apologize if I mischaracterized anyone's post. I skimmed rather than studied.)

[Fergy]

193. Wasn't Biden the last non-millionaire in the Senate?

The fact that Representative Sanchez explained why she couldn't donate her check is refreshing and I admire her candor. She did not have to say anything. Matter of fact sounds like when she is voting she gets the rest of us and what we are going through.

[No Elephants]

196. No. Biden was the last to leave the Senate with a mere $2.5 million.

Yes, he was the poorest U.S. Senator in 2008, but he still had $2.5 million.

[Zynx]

202. How could he have when he had negative net worth in 2007?

http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/overview.php?type=W&year=2007&filter=S&sort=A

[No Elephants]

201. Oops. Too late to edit, but my figure may have been too low. Equity in his primary residence

alone was almost $2 million; he had a good book deal; he and his wife ombined were earning $265k a year, both with good fringe benefits; and that's exclusive of anything else he and she had (or should have) accumulated over the years.