I sure would like to know if the senators who "demanded" the UAW take significant pay decreases are turning down the raise or donating it.

Could you see a democrat doing this?

JohnDoe...your view on an increase in their wage may sound good but cannot work in our form of a representative democracy. The reason we elect representatives is to make these decision for us, if you do not tell them your point of view they will never know (or they might not care anyway..who knows). And your only move will then be at the ballot box during the next election. If you want to fight for a good cause please fight for term limits...this would cause most of this to go away.

we are not the boss, we are simply the committee that hired him. His boss resides in the White house.

Here's a thought...

Since we (the voting citizens) are their boss', how 'bout any raise in salary be listed on the ballot when we vote to renew (or not) their contract.
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How many of you have a boss that has no say in whether or not your employee gets a raise?

Donating the raise to charity is such a political move to blind the voters. Charitable contribution equals tax right off. Any politician, democrat, republican, or independent is out for themself. What can I do to get re-elected?

Same concept for the politicians who vote against a pay raise. Like the pay raise vote will get defeated. The no vote is only to use in future campaigning to look good in voter's eyes.

Doyle, Ryan, etc, get rid of them all and let's start fresh.

lovemycountry - many more democrats (I am sure your comment is partisan)voted for the war in Iraq than just Ryan. How you can put the blame on him is ignorance on your part. Look up the facts at how many house and senate democrats voted for the war.

miltonalum - Well, if you liked Bush, you'd love Congressman Ryan as President.
Ryan supported Bush in invading a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. Ryan supported Bush's Patriot Act, doing away with many of our civil liberties. Both supported the national ID card, allowing wiretapping American citizens, and a stimulus package with money from China.
Like Bush, Ryan says he's for small government, but consistently votes to increase government regulation and spending. Increased taxes or inflation soon need to follow.

Paul Ryan for President 2016 you heard it here 1st.

sowhat: at least he's doing something about it. if you don't like it that much, why are you just masking up behind a screen name instead of out there doing something about it. Kudos to those that don't want the pay raises-- they realize they are already making way too much!

By making a donation and getting a tax deduction, he's/they are a head of the game. Plus, when he/they retire, he'll/they will get the retirement figured on the full amount at that time. So they all could return/donate the raises all they want, but come retirement time, they will be in the win column. And, we win now, as they make their donation to someone in need.

Oh yes, the bailout gets brought up again. Are you folks that complain about him voting for the bailout the same ones that voted for Obama and are democrats? Just wanted to remind you who all voted for the bailout. ihavealife - would you turn down a raise?

Ryan does an excellent PR job. However, his Congressional votes show he's being influenced by big corporate money and special interests, rather than helping citizens in his district.
On Energy and Oil, he's voting against American energy independence.
# Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (May 2008)
# Voted NO on tax incentives for renewable energy. (Feb 2008)
Most recently, despite hundreds of calls and emails from constituents asking him to vote no on the $700B corporate bank bailout, he voted YES twice. As we have seen, big banks got our money, homeowners in his district are still being foreclosed on.

Sure beats Baldwin and that worthless Governor Doyle we have.

It would have been far better for those he represents, if Ryan had voted for some of the worker rights bills before Congress last year (i.e. minimum wage, equal rights, and more) instead of such grandstanding gestures. Let's not forget that, while everyone considers Ryan a "nice guy"face-to-face, he continually votes against the best interests of his constituents whether it's in the workplace or in the war.

It may not help each individual tax payer, but I'm sure it goes to where it is needed. A awsome gesture. Good job congressman Ryan.

Of course someone has to find the negative in what Paul Ryan does. At least he donates it, what about Tammy Baldwin? We haven't heard whether or not she'll donate her raise!

How does Ryan donating his raise help taxpayers? Now he will take a tax deduction so it will cost the taxpayers more.

Paul Ryan for Governor!! Thanks for all you do.

Here's a politician that stays in touch with his constituents!! Thank you Paul Ryan for all you do for us! I agree - Paul Ryan for govenor, or even President in 2012!

Paul Ryan for Governor!

Does Ryan get paid the same as he did when he started in Washington, then, or does he just take the raise one term/year late? While it is noteworthy that he donates the raise, I am thinking he does not continually increase his donation to cover the raise, and he shouldn't. Afterall, not many of us would reject a pay raise.