REP. WU'S CONGRESSIONAL PENSION

A small article appeared on page 5A of my copy of USA Today with a headline “Rep. Wu could collect comfortable pension.” Surely you have heard the sad and disgusting details surrounding Wu’s (D-Ore) ultimate decision to resign his Congressional seat, because he has been accused of an “unwanted sexual encounter” with the daughter of one of his Congressional aides.

The National Taxpayers Union has calculated that Wu, who is currently 56, may elect to start taking his pension now that will pay around $851,000 over his lifetime and his Federal Thrift Saving Plan (similar to a 401K) is possibly as much as $213,855, or he can wait until he is 62 when his pension would be 30% higher.

It is your Commander’s opinion that when a Congressman or Congresswoman resigns having conducted actions that bring disrespect and disregard for the rules of the House he or she should not receive their pension. They should be paid under the terms of Federal Thrift Plan, but not any pension.

Recently Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) resigned under pressure for acts far more egregious than Wu’s, and he too will receive a very generous pension that comes out of the pockets of the already abused and over-taxed electorate. This is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue, but one of values and principals that our members of Congress flaunt on a daily basis.

For the members of Congress to permit these individuals who are members of their exclusive club to be rewarded for their misconduct is beyond my understanding. They protect their fellow members as a lioness does her cubs. The Senate and House Ethics Committee are a total joke and an insult to the citizens of this country.

Members of Congress live with their unique set of standards that differ from those that apply for you and me, and when they get caught they still get rewarded. No wonder this once great country is going broke. This has happened again and again and I see absolutely no indication that this misuse of public money will ever change as the good old USA continues to slide down the slippery slope toward ultimate collapse.

COMMANDER GRANGER