Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Raises for Everyone! (If you're a Senator or a Congressman)

From a CNN article we learn that the politicians are getting raises:
The cost-of-living raise would be the sixth straight for members of the House and Senate, boosting the salaries of lawmakers, now $158,100, by about $4,000 in the new calendar year.

...

This year, Vice President Cheney, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Chief Justice William Rehnquist receive $203,000. Associate justices get $194,300 and House and Senate party leaders get $175,700.

President Bush's salary of $400,000 is unaffected by the legislation.
I think I've just discovered why it wouldn't be so bad to be a Senator or Congressman.

Hey, I have an idea! Take their salaries and tie them to the status of the economy. Pick some midpoint both in economic status and salary. Then, if the economy is below that point, the salary accordingly decreases. When the economy moves above that point, the salary goes up. Might provide a perverse incentive for the politicians on the hill to actually do their job and keep the interests, and well-being, of their constituents in mind.