(The New American) -- TheNewAmerican.com reports that a
shave and a haircut at the U.S. Senate barbershop costs "more than double
what barbers in some parts of the country charge. Despite these high prices, the shop, which is
supposed to be self-sustaining, ended up $300,000 in the hole last year and got
its own taxpayer bailout."
The article notes that the shop's employees are unionized
federal workers, with "benefits and wages are higher than those of many jobs."
Comparing the government-owned Senate barbershop with a privately owned
barbershop just three blocks away, the story notes that the private
barbershop's four stylists made $22,000 to $30,000 last year with no benefits,
while the Senate barbershop's "top four barbers and stylists made more
than twice that — $54,761; $70,349; $73,658; and $81,641 — plus they have a
generous 401(k) plan, health care and paid vacation."
