@jeanne-mayell Personally I think it's just the grift. As others noted, she's resigning the day after her pension vests. She gets free money and healthcare for the rest of her life, and she's not exactly old.
I don't blame you for dissing her. The timing of her resignation that gives her what has always been an obscene life benefit for just five years of service, is reprehensable. The things that have come out of her mouth have been hard for me to get past.
But I feel MTG is immature and unaware of the depth of suffering the GOP has caused. The reason her kids can't afford a home and her constituents can't afford insurance or even food, started long before Donald Trump, although he has escalated it to new heights. American history is also complex, but it was in 1980 that Ronald Reagan started the escalation of the wealthy at the detriment of everyone else.
MTG was six years old when Reagan took office, and since she doesn't show knowledge of much American history, she doesn't know what she doesn't know. She knows what she sees first hand, that her kids can't afford homes, and her constituents can't afford health insurance and food.
Who knows what that woman would be saying if her awareness continues to grow?
She has a heart. I saw it in her eyes and in her voice when she first spoke out against MAGA. With all that fearlessness and feistiness, she could be a force for good. She should get a debriefing from Bernie Sanders who'd help her "see" the America she is starting to see.
If we all send her healing and light, she might grow more open to truth. We are all on a journey. MTG is no exception.
@mickiemac truth be told? She's already made her millions ... that pension is peanuts compared to her other money making activities.
I don't know MTG's chart. I feel she does have something up her sleeve. And she also can see 45 is declining politically. I also feel some of it is genuine. She fears for her family. And I think she also experienced sexual abuse. Hence the championing of the Epstein filed release.
Checking in to ask Lawrence what he sees with t and removal.
It's maddening. There is no bottom.
@journeywithme2 - yes - MTG is significantly richer than she was 5 years ago before becoming a representative. I just wanted to point out that her proposed pension is not the 'golden parachute' that so many have commented on here and elsewhere. The health benefits alone are of great value to her since the Govt. subsidizes about 76% of the monthly premiums.
As a federal retiree I have the same health Ins. I did when employed but my specific plan and hers may differ. I don't have Medicare (didn't pay into SS) but MTG will have that beginning at 65 as well. Still, health Ins. should not be a major expense for anyone.
@mickiemac We are in the same situation as you. The FERS federal annuity is based on:
Formula: \(1\%\) x {high-3 average salary} x {years of service}.
Plus basic or high option federal BCBS insurance if you choose to keep it. The government pays 75% of the premium, annuitant pays the rest. Dental and vision and long term care are separate policies. It is expensive for the annuitant and family to carry those insurances, but BCBS isn't going anywhere, Medicare is less certain.
It's generous but not a golden parachute. Based on, in my husband's case, 30+ years of hard earned service.
@mickiemac She is a canny lady and saw the writing on the wall... if enough GOP follow her lead? The House and Senate can be flipped and accountability start. I see a different balance manifesting for January 2026. As I stated before... she may be the blonde lady that brings that 🐖 down.
I also see the 🐖 getting really,really sick and the house of cards being blown down in to accountability. Lots of work ahead to repair and rebuild... but the time approaches...
@lowtide - Greetings. Just to clarify, I retired under the old CSRS not FERS. I started working in 1973 for the Federal Govt. and in the mid-80's the Reagan Admin. implemented FERS (to reduce their costs). I had the option to migrate to FERS but did not based on many factors in my favor. Being under CSRS I did not pay into SS except for 1% for medicare (hospital coverage). During my last 10 years of service I contributed 5% of my income into the TSP and accrued a reasonable amount that is now being disbursed to me.
I did carry over my BCBS (Anthem) into retirement and pay a modest amount compared to what others pay. Since I didn't pay into SS I was not automatically enrolled in Medicare at 65, and declined coverage. It was a roll of the dice but I have rather good health (so far) and the penalties for getting Medicare at my age (75) would not benefit me since my health care expenses are modest.
Being young at the time I didn't consider how important the health Ins. portion of my federal employment would become the most valuable component.
I'm in my 21st year of retirement and things are getting Hinky so, if the Bow Breaks (a very old reference to Rock-A-bye-Baby) hopefully I won't fall too far and break something!