This week, my fellow Observers, I have a hypothetical theory to share with you all that is based on a hypothetical question. The question? What if money was taken out of politics? What would happen if we didn't make our representatives an senators millionaires in just one or two terms... depending on what office they hold? Consider these facts, my loyal reader, while attempting to control your anger.
* Non-leading representatives and senators earn $174,000.00 per year
* Representatives serve two year terms
* Senators serve six years terms
* No term limits exist for either seat
* Out of 535 members, the 114th Congress has only 75 freshman members. 460 are serving a second term or more.
* At minimum a one term salary for a representative is $348,000.00. A senator is $1,044,000.00
How's your temper?
Now, as I stated, these are minimum figures. Majority an minor leaders in congress earn $193,400.00 and the speaker of the house takes home a nifty $223,500.00. No matter how you look at it or what seat you have your sights set on, getting into politics is a pretty easy way to make big money. Especially when the above numbers don't include expense accounts, transportation (the four wheeled kind all the way up to the ones that have wings), incentive money for leading commissions, task forces and chairing committees. Not to mention lobbyist money and perks rolling in at any given moment depending on what commission, task force or committee they may be on. And all this time you were probably wondering where all our tax dollars were going to. Seems most of them are finding their way into our congressmen's pockets. Getting mad yet?
Well, then..... let's take a look at former presidential candidate / senator / secretary of the state John Kerry who in 2010 had reported a net worth of 188.3 million dollars. Current numbers as of this writing are not readily available with any accuracy, but I'm sure his wealth has increased over the past five years even though he took a pay cut (he dropped to a lighter $186,000.00 per year) in order to accept his current job. Kerry is followed in the pecking order of fleecing flimflamers by one California representative Darrell Issa who has amassed a small of 106.05 million thanks to yours truly and my fellow Observer's yearly federal donations. As a matter of fact, at least 50 members of congress today have a net worth of 5 million dollars or more. How's that blood pressure now, huh?
It's no wonder why when politicians get their greedy little money grubbing mitts on one of these government gravy train seats they won't give it up without a fight no matter how dirty it gets. In Connecticut alone I can name several "career" politicians right off the top of my head without even thinking about it. Lieberman, Dodd, Larson, Johnson, Murphy, just to name a few (and there's a lot more) and that's just one state. Some, like Murphy, make their millions as a representative and then move on to a senate seat where they are locked in to at least another million even if they only serve one term. Most of them, however, will follow the political precedent and serve multiple terms if not make it a lifetime career like Lieberman. Remaining in congress is a self serving money maker in that congress controls it's own financial fate when I comes to their paychecks. And they have no qualms whatsoever giving themselves raises with our money. Since 2000 congress has increased their minimum salary by 23%. Raising it from $141,300.00 in 2000 to $174,000.00 in 2014. That's an average of 1.54% per year. Now that doesn't seem like a lot when you look at it added to the average American's per capita annual salary of $39,000.00, but when you add it to a six figure base salary it adds up pretty quick. The only way an average American will ever see these kinds of numbers would be picking the right six on a Tuesday or a Friday.
Another bad tasting medicine we all have to swallow is that "big" money isn't limited to "big" time politics. A lot of what I call "grade school politicians", mayors, first selectmen, city and town managers, school superintendents, etc... etc..... make some pretty hefty deposits into their personal accounts courtesy of their constituents paying their annual tax bills. Let's again look at Connecticut for some more mind numbing numbers on the local scene.
* Mayors in Connecticut earn a minimum of $30,000.00 to $83,000.00
* City and town managers average $68,500.00 to $115,000.00
* First selectmen follow with $25,000.00 to $115,000.00
Not bad work if you can get it, wouldn't you say. Not as much as congress, but worth a few bipartisan promises if the town is right. If you need a political stepping stone you could do a lot worse. And yet, compared to local education some of these salaries are slim pickings.
* Teachers are at the bottom of the financial learning heap with salaries staring at $45,000.00 up to $77,000.00
That's nothing compared to education administration (a college course major that's being offered in universities more an more)
* A school principal's median salary is $108,000.00 upwards of $134,500.00
And at the top of the scale is.....
* School superintendents average $163,000.00 skyrocketing to $228,300.00. That's more than the Vice President of the United States earns.
These are numbers on record for the public school system. Rest assured that the private sector pays a lot more for all those who's dreams of educational grandeur are more lofty. And to think they had us believing it was all about the children. Silly us!
Now, on to my theory, which has several factors involved.
* First of all, let's take the over the top salaries these people make and bring it down to a more realistic number for what the job entails. Let's say.... Oh....I don't know.... maybe..... the fore mentioned per capita salary of $39,000.00. Congress can feel free to add that 1.53% increase per year if they want. That adds up to a scale topping $596.00 per year. Go ahead... it's on us guys and gals! To make it easier let's just make it an even $600.00 all around. That should just about cover the annual price increase for groceries, more or less. That seems fair.
* Next, limit (and I mean LIMIT) expense accounts, monitor them and make the employee verify each and every expenditure just like everyone else that has one has to do. Then make them pay out of their own pocket the non-approved purchases.
* Get rid of all the transportation perks. Limos, car services, personal use vehicles, private planes, etc...etc... Let them try public transportation and see how they like it. I mean, they always tell us to utilize it.
* No more bonus money because your a leader in your group, chair the annual congress sock hop, or because you put in extra hours on the federal commission investigating how to stop flash mobs. These are clearly volunteer positions and the rewards should come from within all the good you are doing by giving valuable time to a cause deemed worthy by your peers.
* And finally, Make Lobbying Illegal! At least the money part anyway. No more big "campaign contributions" from corporate sources. Limit the amount that these companies can contribute and make it a number that won't cause coercion. Better yet, don't allow lobbying corporations or organizations to donate at all. That would level the political playing field somewhat. Let these groups introduce legislation as much as their big business, corporate bottom line, pre-existing clause, politically correct, offshore drilling hearts content, but don't let them use cash or perks to grease it through the lawmaking loopholes. Then let's see what happens when the predator has no teeth.
Conclusion of my theory suggests and asks that without all the get rich quick incentives, the expense accounts, the free transportation and other perks, I wonder how many people would really want these jobs. I suspect and submit it just might be the people who want to effect change in our society for the better.
As idealistic as I am (ok, you can stop snickering now) The cynic side of my personality won't let me believe that I, my children or even my grandchildren will ever see the day that my theory may play out. The sad reality is that politics is a reflection of what society allows. As individuals we will do what we have to in order to better our financial situation before we attempt to improve ourselves. Why should our politicians be any different? Our country has come a long way since our senators earned $6.00 per day in the late 18th century. Not that far though when it comes to our politicians rewarding themselves with high salaries, anyway. Even just $6.00 per day back then was approximately 10 times what the average American made per week. Seems that things haven't changed all that much on that front in the last 200 plus years, so I don't have too much hope for a change in the future. I also don't put a lot of faith in the idea of imposing term limits on all public offices. Yes, I agree it solves the problem of "career" politicians, but unless the high yearly salaries and perks are eliminated this will do little to no good. They'll just have to implement their public service corruption a little faster, that's all.
Although I'm not surprised by some of the "humanitarian" venues that some people use to make a buck, I have a hard time understanding why the rest of us allow it to continue. Public service is exactly that... serving the public. It is not something that should be offered as a college major, made a career or be used to gain wealth. Certain things in this country should not be for profit. Along with health care and education at the top of my list, public service runs a close third. Until we remove personal gain from these elected positions our society will never be able to look to our leaders in hope of bettering it. Strictly an Observation. If you'll excuse me, Lotto closes in 15 minutes.
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