In these tough economic times, everyone is having to make sacrifices, so why not our legislators in Sacramento? In this column, I think the California Citizens Compensation Commission is onto something when members suggest freezing salaries of the state's elected officials. At least two members of the commission want to reduce their pay.
I'm all for it. Why reward them for doing nothing? More from my Sunday column:
The Legislature is asking cities, counties, school districts and universities to take less money next year to help close the budget deficit. Our lawmakers should be willing to step up and have their pay cut to show that everyone is being treated equally in these difficult times.That would be a different way of doing business in the Capitol. That's why pay commission members Kathy Sands and Charles Murray showed extraordinary courage in proposing to cut lawmakers' pay.
They showed they have common sense, even if everyone else in Sacramento doesn't.
When hell freezes over they will agree to pay cut or benefits cut. Again I say take away the government vehicles too. Let them all buy their pwn cars, insurance and gas.
Jackie-are you getting government aid of ANY type?Are you connected to a public employees union? If so you may be on equal footing with these folks.Careful what you ask for.
We all get government aid of some type - monetary or otherwise. We get police and/or sheriff services, which has monetary value. Fire protection has monetary value, too (especially if you live in a high fire-hazard area like the foothills or mountains - big subsidy there). We drive on government-built and maintained roads. And if we live long enough, we'll all be getting Social Security, Medicare or some other government subsidy of some sort.
So I'm not sure how your question to Jackie is relevant. If she receives some sort of direct assistance, does that impede her right to speak out on this issue?
Mike(D)...it does not impede HER right or MINE to ask a question but why do YOU feel you have to get involved?Are you her manager? FYI...We pay extra for fire suppoet up here and me and 15 of my friends volunteer hundreds of hours a year to operate our VOLUNTEER fire dept. at Shaver. Maybe you or your family have needed or will need our help so take your liberal nose out of my ass and mind your own business.
Mike(D)Apologies for the Rev. Wright-like rant. You have opposed my views from the start so no one could ever say you agree or condone my positions. You walked out of my congregation of one on the first day. No ambiguity there so put your liberal nose where you please. My issue with Jackie and others like her is before you start blaming others and calling for certain things to be done ask yourself...What am I doing to better my community, state, nation and I guess the world. Are my actions a burden or a help to others? Figure that one out and act accordingly.It's too easy to blame everything/one else and not to put ourselves into perspective.Again... Mike(D) does in no way share or condone my beliefs. He's about hope and change and I'm about impact and getting positive things done.OBTW cutting legislature pay is only symbolic but if you are into that...go for it.
Thanks for the apology, Brian. I had sent a more pointed response, but (fortunately, perhaps) it wasn't posted.
Actually we're both here in the Fresno Bee "congregation." If anyone's the pastor, it would be Jim Boren. Just because we don't see eye-to-eye on every issue is no reason to walk out. It would be pretty boring if we all agreed.