31 December 2008

Pay raise

In a short (two sentence), not-so-prominently placed article in today's edition of The State readers learned that members of Congress have elected to give themselves a pay raise starting tomorrow. The hike amounts to $4700 annually per lawmaker.

This in the face of 2008's economic melt-down affecting the entire globe. This after TARP, a $700 billion distribution from the US Treasury to bolster in-trouble financial institutions. This after two hat-in-hand visits from leadership of the Detroit three automakers in the year's closing months. This knowing of rampant job losses and business failures nationwide. This after Congress, sitting in judgement, having observed to UAW leadership that their workers must be willing to accept hourly wage cuts.

What a boneheaded way to end the year.

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