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Should rich politicians be paid for their journey into public service?
The argument can be made that rich politicians go into politics to advocate certain ideas. These private sector warriors do this because they believe in their proven concepts, and that they will work for the improvement of society.
If these rich politicians didn’t believe in their ideals, they shouldn’t advocate them, nor should they leave the private sector to promote them for the mass of citizenship.
And if they do not support specific ideas, they shouldn’t be in politics. Just because they have been successful doesn’t mean they should be given the office on a silver platter.
Politics is about ideas, concepts and principles. It’s not a profession.
Taxpayers should not be paying for politicians to sit in an office all day and act like they are doing something, or for politicians to calculate their next campaign and fundraising event.
If one truly believes in an idea, one is glad to share this idea; discuss it with others in order to advocate its merit and implement its essence so to bring about change for the citizens of the state, district or community.
Again, rich politicians should not treat public office as a retirement plan to conclude their private sector joyride.
If you truly believe in your ideas, your resume in running for the office is due to success as a private sector businessman, or woman; should you then expect to be paid as an elected politician?
Most of us would loudly respond with a negative answer.
We tend to see public office as servant quarters – not a mansion of higher goals, perks and favors at the expense of the taxpayer.
It was on this premise that our current Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, refused to take an annual salary of $212,000. Since his service as California’s Executive Director starting in 2003, Governor Schwarzenegger has saved the taxpayers of California over $1.2 million.
This past week, each of the Republican candidates were asked by Sacramento Bee reporter Jack Chang if they would cash the bi-weekly payroll checks if they became governor.
Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman said she will follow in the footsteps of Arnold on this point; Whitman stated that she will decline the $212,000 annual salary – that actually gets reduced to 170,000 after the 18-percent salary cut for state officials takes place in 2010.
Former Finance Director, Tom Campbell, responded with humor. When asked about his possible salary of $170,000 a year, Campbell said, “How else would I eat?”
Then there is the current Insurance Commissioner, Steve Poizner.
The Commissioner was asked about his intentions for the office of governor and its bi-weekly paycheck; Poizner, who has nearly a billion dollars in personal wealth, said he will accept the paycheck.
I asked the communications director and co-campaign manager for Meg Whitman, Tucker Bounds, for Meg’s response. “It’s about creditability. It’s inappropriate for a very wealthy governor to call for budget cuts, new efficiencies and layoffs, while drawing an unneeded paycheck from state’s coffers.”
The issue of creditability is a serious one; should we elect a candidate that refuses a paycheck on the grounds that it makes them creditable in the midst of an election cycle? Fair question.
Since 2003 we haven’t had to cut a paycheck for our governor – how has that worked out for us?
Should we place stock into Meg’s decision to not take a paycheck as a millionaire or should we consider that someone who embraces their pay knows their value?
My dad always told me, “Son, know your worth and don’t ever work for free. You have talents and gifts that God has placed within you to produce for you and your family. In America, find your value and demand your worth.”
But the question remains; does this apply if you run for Governor of California, knowing that $170,000 adds up when you consider the furloughed, unemployed and over-regulated small businessmen and woman of a state that spends more than it takes in, and has a current $38 billion deficit?
In the end, you the voters and the tax payers should make call.
I’d love you read your thoughts.
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