Boots & Sabers

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1553, 23 Feb 19

AOC Pays Staffers Lavishly

While she’s taking a victory lap, remember that she’s paying them with your money that was taken from you with the full coercive force of government. She sacrifices nothing. It’s not heroic.

Freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) announced this week that no one on her staff would make less than $52,000 a year, a move aimed at championing a “living wage.”

The progressive firebrand’s policy creates an unheard of salary for young House staffers in Washington, D.C., where the average rent is more than $2,000 a month, Roll Call reported Friday.

“It’s likely one of the highest entry-level salaries on the Hill,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter. “We pinch pennies elsewhere, but it’s worth every dime to pay a living wage.”

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1553, 23 February 2019

109 Comments

  1. Merlin

    This should be interesting since her MRA is a fixed allowance.

  2. Jason

    Does the lavish amount have anything to do with her boyfriend being a staffer and getting payments from Campaign donations?  I feel a very junior representative is going to be in a lot of trouble very soon.  Atypical of an average liberal moron – can’t think further than the next pay day.

  3. jjf

    And her response?

    “A lot of people commenting don’t know how Congressional salaries work. Each member is given a set amount that they disburse. GOP has refused to increase budgets in years to give hard-working staff a raise, which means people helping to run the country are getting paid $30k/year. It’s pretty sad that people think low Congressional staff pay is a good thing. Low pay a big reason why money in politics is a problem – you can make a lot more money becoming a lobbyist & setting up a relationship w/ one, since the actual job doesn’t pay enough.  Domino effect.”

  4. Kevin Scheunemann

    Rewarding their friends in government… no surprise from socialists there.

  5. Merlin

    The trouble with her explanation is that it’s a non-explanation. A $52,000 minimum wage is going to be tough to fit within her annual allowance. How incredibly Democrat of her to assign false value in order to spend money she doesn’t have.

  6. MHMaley

    Amazing how AOC makes Conservative men’s testicles shrink .

  7. Kevin Scheunemann

    Mark,

    Only in liberal “men” like yourself who thinks her incredible stupidity is attractive…or to be even listened to.

    She has stated more stupid things in last 2 months, then rest of Congress combined in last century….and liberals give her a constant pass! That last part, not criticizing insanely stupid, is where the liberal men tend to cut their manhood off.

    Why do you do it, Mark?

  8. dad29

    I always suspected that Maley was sniffing testes.

  9. Mike

    Now we know why she supports Maduro in Venezuela.

  10. jjf

    Dad29, you are such a faithful and complete follower of the eternal principles of the New Testament in everything you do.

    MhM, heaven knows we can’t have diversity of thought among our elected officials!  They must believe exactly the same thing!  Everyone fall in line!

  11. Kevin Scheunemann

    Jjf,

    We expect elected officials not to be insaneand not advocate bloody, human rights abusers like Venezuela!

    Is having a minimum standard of civilization and basic human rights too much for you liberals?

  12. Pat

    Why so many conservatives a afraid of AOC?

  13. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Because she defends bloody human rights abusers in Venezuela without any thought.

    Doesn’t that scare the hell out of you when a leader is so supportive to the human carnage in favor of her ideology?

    If it doesn’t, you are just as unfeeling…and unthinking.

  14. Pat

    Kevin,

    Not that I don’t believe you, but could you point me to where I can find a quote from her in support for Maduro please.

  15. Pat

    The most interesting quote in that biased article is, “To be fair, to my knowledge, Ocasio-Cortez has never explicitly endorsed the Maduro regime.”

    I’ve done searches but can’t find any quote from her supporting the Maduro regime. I thought you possibly had one.

  16. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Silence is acceptence.

    Didn’t you learn anything frm #metoo movement?

    She is just another “Weinstein friend” letting women be raped by socialism when it comes to Venezuela.

    Her silence makes her complicit.

    Her fellow lefty Congressman have denounced Venezuela.

    Happy to provide you this lesson on how silence against evil is EVIL.

     

  17. Pat

    Kevin,

    And you can say with 100% certainty that 100% of Republican Legislators and Senators have spoken out directly in opposition to Madura?

  18. Pat

    Maduro

  19. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Republicans do not advocate the human rights destroying ideology of AOC.

    AOC advocates human rights destroying socialism that Venezuela practices.

  20. Pat

    Kevin,

    Would you provide a quote from Ryan Stiel directly chastising the Maduro regime?

  21. Pat

    Bryan Steil

  22. Le Roi du Nord

    “Silence is acceptence”.

    Perhaps in kevinworld, but not in a court of law.  Or in the mind of anyone with a lick of common sense.

  23. Kevin Scheunemann

    Nord,

    So those that let Cosby and Weinstein rape their way through Hollywood have clean hands?

    If so, you are part of the problem of excusing evil. AOC loves Maduro regime, thereby she refuses to criticize it!

  24. Pat

    Kevin,

    Just so I have this correct. You’re saying anyone who has not criticized the Maduro regime “loves” it.

  25. dad29

    Well, Kevin, let’s try it here!

    Will Jiffy, Maley, and LeeeeeeeeeeeeeeRoy condemn AOC’s “Green Whatever” right here?  The one where there will be no more airplanes and no more cattle, no more fossil fuels?  The one which will demolish or re-build every single building in the USA in 10 years?  The one which will provide “a living” to every single person whether they work or not?

    Think those boys are up to it, Kevin?  I don’t.

     

  26. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    We can rule out free market advocates because Venezuela is the opposite of free markets.

    No one siding with markets support Venezuela. It would be asking a Christian if he supports the devil.

    So don’t ask stupid questions.

  27. Pat

    Kevin,

    There are no stupid questions. Only stupid answers. Thanks for your answer.

  28. Le Roi du Nord

    dud:

    I won’t condemn your claim because it is a bald-faced lie.  Remember, I’m a big proponent of truth, unlike you and k.

     

  29. jjf

    Foxconn – Venezuelan style socialism?

    Trump’s wall – Venezuelan style eminent domain, mile after mile? 

    Dad29, tell us how AOC’s proposal says “no more airplanes.”

  30. Le Roi du Nord

    k:

    If “silence is acceptence”, why are you silent on the Christopher Hasson incidence?  Does your silence make you complicit with Hasson?

  31. Pat

    Trump has been silent on Christopher Hasson. His silence would make him complicit according to Kevin.

  32. MHMaley

    The Green New Deal is to Liberals as “we will build a wall and Mexico will pay for it “was to Conservatives . A Broad impractical idea that the base will sniff like glue and try to justify later .

    As I’ve stated in the past , cowardly candy asses who hide behind a fake name on their computer are always invited for coffee with me .

    And bring your lunch .

  33. Kevin Scheunemann

    Nord, Pat

    I denounce him as evil and so should Trump.

    Trump is wrong for not denouncing him.

    Venezuela is actively killing in rampant human carnage For socialist ideology. AOC has said nothing!

    Will you denounce her for silence just like I criticized Trump for his silence?

  34. Pat

    Kevin,

    You should ask her what she thinks. Just go to her Twitter account. I’m sure she’d love to have a conversation with you.

  35. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    We know what she thinks about socialism…she lives it! Venezuela is a socialist country…how can she not love it?

    I am not on Twitter.

    Why do you not denounce AOC? Refugees from Venezuela are. They consider AOC insanely stupid. I believe people who have suffered and escaped from AOC’s dream government. Why don’t you? Are you that insensitive and embracing of human rights evil? Why?

  36. Pat

    Kevin,

    I don’t think you understand the difference between socialism and democratic socialists.

    The key difference between socialism and democratic socialism is that democratic socialists don’t want the government to own the means of production and socialists do. They believe that certain general social goods like health care should be run by the government, but otherwise support capitalism.

  37. Pat

    Kevin,

    And I do denounce the Maduro regime. I’ve yet to hear that spoken by Ryan Steil.

  38. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    So you want the taxpaying slaves to feel better about ownership while you whip them for everything they produce?

    Where Venezuela went wrong was taking the ownership from the slaves AND whipping the slaves to produce?

    Isn’t either one a slave?

    We fought a war to destroy indentured servitude.    Why do socialists, in either of their hideous human rights abusing form, want to bring indentured servitude and slavery back?

    There was a time, guys like you in this nation, with your head screwed on straight, would outright denounce slavery.  what happened?

  39. Merlin

    Democratic socialists are nothing more than a repackaging of plain old socialists and communists who think they can do socialism through deception better than their predecessors. Better liars and better thieves making better use of word salads, for sure, but their most recent inability to manage capitalism is on full display in Venezuela. The Russians and Chinese are democratic socialists these days, too. Adopting the word “democratic” doesn’t change who they are.

  40. Pat

    Kevin, asked, “So you want the taxpaying slaves to feel better about ownership while you whip them for everything they produce?”

    Please point to where I said anything even close to that.

  41. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    That is the distinction you tried to draw on socialists.

    I just packaged it to what it really means.

    Truth hurts, doesn’t it.

    I am shocked you defend Democrat Party socialism in any form.

  42. Pat

    Kevin said, “Truth hurts, doesn’t it.”

    You can repackage what I say however you want, but it’s not the truth. It’s more of your lies. I find your continuation of distorting what people say as despicable, and not very Christian behavior for a person who, evidently falsely, professes to be one.

  43. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    You accuse me of “lies” and “distortion”, but then don’t answer the question:

    Aren’t both scenarios a slave scenario?

    1.) If factors of production are owned by the slaves, but the socialist slavemasters tax away nearly everything the slaves work for and produce (AOC has called for 90% tax rates, or more!)…isn’t that still slavery?

    2.) If the slaves don’t own factors of production and the slavemaster socialists tax away everything they produce….what incentive is there to work?   this is why Venezuela is starving, nobody wants to produce.   How is this slavery any worse?

    The only distortion and lies is you soft peddling slavery as something to be strived for.

    Slavery should be opposed in all its forms, especially in Muslim nations.

    I am just disappointed you are not clear on that basic morality.   Why is your hedging on a basic morality…my fault…for calling your hedging out?

    Kevin S.

  44. Pat

    Kevin says, “The only distortion and lies is you soft peddling slavery as something to be strived for.”

    Once again, please provide a quote from me that affirms your allegation.

    You do know that the overall system of taxation in the United States is progressive. AOC proposes a 70 percent tax rate on incomes over $10 million. In 1960 the top rate was 90%, and during the Reagan years was 50%, and now 37%.

  45. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Combined with state and local tax rates that combined for rates over 100% in some cases!

    Just keep whipping the slaves!

    They refuse to work when they either drop dead or refuse to work when there is no point to work, lead, and achieve.

  46. Pat

    Kevin,

    I’m still waiting for you to provide a quote from me that affirms your assertion, or apologize for lying again.

  47. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Which assertion?

  48. Pat

    The two I have previously called you out for.

  49. Kevin Scheunemann

    Specifically?

    I consider the issue resolved. You were trying to make a distinction between socialist evils.

    I eloquently pointed out that slavery is still evil, even if it is to a lessor degree.

    You refused to denounce all slavery.

    The only resolution needed here is your open, moral weakness, not being against socialist slavery, universally.

    You still have time to correct your moral failing.

    I am very patient.

  50. Pat

    Kevin,

    You are unable to provide any quote of mine. Instead you do what you do best, dance, deflect, and make things up. It’s a shame that a person who professes to be a Christian acts in such an un-Christian manner.

  51. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    I wasn’t accusing you of anything, just explaining that the differences between socialism and “democratic socialism” is moot because it is slavery either way.

    You should denounce them equally as evil. Christians should oppose evil and I do oppose socialist evil.

    Why don’t you oppose socialist evil?

    I am looking for your quote on that. Should be easy to say, unless you are an evil embracing leftist.

  52. jjf

    Think of it like state’s rights.  Every legislator’s budget is an experiment.  They get fixed amounts.  Why can’t she do what she wants?

     

  53. Kevin Scheunemann

    Jjf,

    Because she is a whiney child. When she mismanaged and runs out of money 6 months in she will cry she is a victim and does not have enough money for her minority staff…and we should stop the racism.

  54. Pat

    “I wasn’t accusing you of anything,“

    Another lie.

  55. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    I begged you to be morally clear on slavery and those socialists that advocate slavery….so that is an accusation?

    Snowflake.

  56. jjf

    She’s an economics major, do you think she can fulfill a fixed budget?

  57. Pat

    Kevin said, “So you want the taxpaying slaves to feel better about ownership while you whip them for everything they produce”

    I didn’t say, allude, or advocated for that in anything I said.

    There is the accusation.

  58. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    …and then I followed, begging you to denounce both concepts invoke slavery, which means they are both evil.

    You declined.

    So it is only an accusation when you fail to do the right thing, openly.

    Join me in denouncing both styles of evil, socialist governance, and it turn into a funny statement along the way to our agreement.

    So simple.

  59. Pat

    Kevin,

    I’m not your wife. I don’t have to do what you demand. Absence of me agreeing, or disagreeing with you is evidence of nothing. What is relevant is what I say, and what I’ve said is not what your attempts at verbal gymnastics has concluded.

    The only thing I was saying in this thread was there is a difference between socialism and democratic socialists. And I highly doubt anyone wants what Venezuela currently has.

    Also absence of not saying what you want doesn’t make for acceptance. Sometimes not saying anything is the smartest thing to do. You never know what idiot might twist what you do say to fit their delusional narrative.

  60. Merlin

    Sure, AOC majored in economics. She’s also a big proponent of the overly simplistic and fictional Modern Money Theory. MMT is so unworkable even the lefty economist darling Krugman can’t wiggle with it.

  61. jjf

    It’s like this meme.

     

  62. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Normally, when something is evil, like socialism, when one makes a subtle distinction like you did, it is a sign you are not against the evil in its entirety.

    So answer the question, are you against socialism?

    Jjf,
    You should check out something more educational:

    http://Www.victimsofcommunism.org

  63. Pat

    Kevin,

    I’m against evil. And I’ve pointed out you evil behavior many times.

  64. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Are you against socialism/Communism as evil?

    Why do you keep avoiding the question?

  65. Pat

    Kevin,

    Because I don’t answer to you. All you need to know, to satisfy me, is I detest evil, including the behavior I’ve called you out for.

  66. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    You still failed to attach “evil” to socialist/communist ideology.

    Why is that so hard for you?

  67. Pat

    Kevin,

    Asked and answered.

  68. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Humor me. Point me to where you said leftist ideology is evil.

  69. Pat

    Kevin,

    I already addressed your question.
    But because your comprehension is lacking here it is again;

    “I’m against evil. And I’ve pointed out your evil behavior many times.”

  70. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    When you say I am evil for standing against leftist evil… you leave me unconvinced that you stand against the evil of socialism, in any leftist form.

  71. jjf

    Kevin, I’m quite well-versed in the arguments against communism and socialism, and I’m not a fan of either.  I’m also well-acquainted with the libertarian approach of absolutism against any government force and compulsion, so when I see conservatives defending some some sorts of actual GOP-supported compulsion but wailing against others, I just smile and nod at the hypocrisy.

  72. Kevin Scheunemann

    Jjf,

    “Not a fan of either”.

    That is the weakest tea denouncement I have ever seen of a mass killer ideology.

    Can’t you muster more disdain and scorn than that?

  73. jjf

    Is that what gets you excited in the morning?

  74. Pat

    Kevin said, “When you say I am evil for standing against leftist evil”

    I never said that. Another lie. Your lies, and twisting of what is said to fit into your delusional narrative is what I find evil.

  75. Kevin Scheunemann

    Jjf, Pat,

    Let’s stop dancing the Tango here. Just answer the question and stop teasing.

    “Are you against socialist/communist leftist ideologies as pure evil”?

    Dare you to answer.

  76. Pat

    Kevin,

    I’m against evil, including your evil behavior.

  77. jjf

    Kevin, get a grip.  If you want to wallow in absolutism, there are plenty of ways to do that.  Go whole hog.  Taxation is theft; government is stealing your very life at the point of a gun.  Isn’t government force a “pure evil”?

  78. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    You are against evil. What a courageous position.

    Does “evil” include communist/socialist/leftist ideology which is responsible for at least 100 million deaths in last 100 years?

    I think you are too afraid to answer.

  79. Kevin Scheunemann

    Jjf,

    Government force is fine when it is protecting your rights against those inflicting criminal evil on your person. Or defending from foreign elements attempting to hurt or kill us and our way of life.

    Why don’t you answer my straight question?

  80. Pat

    Kevin,

    Is the preposition of evil dependent on intent?

  81. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    No.

    Because I could hit you with a baseball bat by accident, and if I was unapologetic about it, that would be evil.  Socialists usually act in the same blind, unapologetic ignorance, despite the evidence of the hurt their actions cause.

  82. Pat

    Kevin,

    Is lying evil?

  83. jjf

    Kevin, your “question” is more about the magic words that get you excited and less about the meaning, right?

    Why is it government’s job to protect you from force and fraud?  Why shouldn’t you pay to get the kind of protection you want?  Why should I be forced to pay for your protection?  Why should I be taxed to pay for some socialistic fire department?

  84. Pat

    Kevin,

    Is the act of accidentally hitting me the act of being evil or is the unapologetic behavior afterwards the intent of being evil?

  85. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Of course it is.  See how easily I answer your question.

    Why don’t you answer my question?

     

  86. Pat

    Kevin,

    I’m against all evil. There, that was easy.

  87. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    But are you willing to say socialist/communist/leftist ideology is evil?

  88. Pat

    Kevin,

    Again, I’m against all evil, including the evil you perpetuate.

  89. Kevin Scheunemann

    Again,

    You did not answer the question.

    Your lack of moral courage against hateful ideologies of the left is disappointing.

  90. Pat

    Kevin,

    I find any government that is run by individuals who profit off their citizenry through injurious and oppressive behavior as evil.

  91. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Still not there.

    Leftist ideology centralizes power every time and causes this very abusive issue which destroys human rights.

    Can we get a “leftist/socialist/communist ideology is evil?”

    For a claimed libertarian, why is getting you to say this like a root canal?

  92. jjf

    Kevin, be more precise.  What’s in  “leftist/socialist/communist ideology” that you can’t find in what you have in today’s government, in today’s GOP policies?

  93. Pat

    Kevin,

    I would find any governmental/religious/secular ideology controlled by individuals that profit off their citizenry through injurious and oppressive rules and behavior to be evil.

  94. Kevin Scheunemann

    You both have the moral ideology clarity of mud.

  95. Pat

    Kevin,

    Are there specific countries you would like me to condemn as evil?

  96. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Dodging again.

    How acout any country where government net consumes and spends over 35% of GDP?

    I consider over 35% of GDP to be the “slavery threshold”.

  97. Pat

    Kevin,

    Is that your criteria for deciding if a countries political ideology is evil? I thought you might take into consideration standard of living, personal freedom, health, and happiness of the citizens.

  98. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Just trying to drag you in a direction of moral clarity.

    When is one a slave to the state?

  99. Pat

    Kevin,

    So you answer is yes?

  100. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    You are asking me if there are “happy slaves”?

    I believe it is an illusion sold by opportunist, evil, socialist slavemasters to dupe others to walk into slavery, willingly.

    That makes the ideology, which you refuse to condemn, extra evil.

    You are a moral coward on opposition to slavery.

  101. Pat

    Kevin,

    No, I asked if your criteria for evil is when a specific political ideology spends over 35% of GDP.

  102. jjf

    Where does the 35% come from?  Post-facto determination of which countries you like and don’t like?  One with 20% might not be just as evil?

  103. Pat

    Crickets

  104. Kevin Scheunemann

    Pat,

    Not answering your question until you answer the one I asked you 10 times above.

    I am way too courteous in answering your questions relative toward your dodging of my simple questions.

  105. Pat

    Kevin,

    I’m only trying to understand exactly how you are defining when a political ideology is evil. You said it was when a country’s GDP is over 35%. I’m trying to clarify if that is your criteria for evil, because that is how your statement reads.

  106. Pat

    Kevin,

    Okay, I’ll take that as a yes. 35% is the threshold for evil.

  107. jjf

    It may be the geek in me, but I’d want to know how the 35% is calculated.  Was there a way to stack the deck, lie with statistics?  Are there some government subsidies or programs that could hurt me in deeper indirect ways than simply counting how many dollars they took?

    And Kevin’s dodged my force and fraud questions.

  108. Pat

    I guess he took his ball and went home. ; )

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