Pop Rivers - Old Crappie Angler and Humorist

In the beginning of our nation, serving in Congress, ( Senate or House of Representatives), was  just that, public service to our country ;  and unpaid or low paid at that.  Citizens would serve a few years  and then go back to home and to private work. But when Congress gave themselves the right to set wages, retirement, benefits, and expense allowances; the words Public Service changed to My Lifelong Career Job . Today a member of congress receives a base salary of $ 174,000 year, plus retirement benefits, life insurance benefits, health insurance benefits and BIG expense allowances for their offices. Congressmen and women get an average expense allowance of  S 1,353,205.00 ,  and Senators get an average of $ 3,209,103.00 .  This the average, some get more - a lot more.  They also get automatic cost of living adjustments annually; ( what we call a raise. ) Members of Congress are also wined and dined by friends, contributors, and lobbyist . Why would they ever want to cha

When we buy American made products, we create or save jobs for Americans. We, as Americans, must help keep America strong and healthy, before we can help others in need. If we fail to do this one thing, even though it may cost us more money when we shop; we will be putting our neighbors, friends, and family members in the unemployment line. We have now outsourced to other countries many of our manufacturing plants, and their jobs, for making steel , automobiles, computers, TV's, appliances, radios, textiles, furniture, sports equipment, toys, tools, outboard motors, bicycles, clothing, and so much more. We did so to cut cost, has it really helped ? Maybe a few business owners profited, but America is being destroyed by our own actions. Someday, if not already, we will be at the mercy of foreign countries and their imported goods and services just to survive. America must be mostly self sufficient, and the first step is to buy only American goods and services whenever poss