Year after year, senators and congressmen alike receive a small memo from their secretaries with an innocent smiley face or shooting star surrounding the words ""pay raise""! A little victory dance around their cluttered desk and a few jersey shore fist pumps are thrown in celebration, but who do these representatives have to thank? You!
Yes, tax payers like you, your uncle Borris, and Grandma Rhonda unknowingly contribute to salary increases of those representing us in Washington D.C. The cleverly named ""stealth pay raise system"" has structured automatic pay increases given to members of congress every year for the past two decades. With all of the money flowing in and out of the pockets of congressmen, students suffering from tuition increases, and the recession as a whole, have yet to see these politicians deliver.
Wisconsin's very own Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, has been the only one to break from the pack and speak out against the pay raise system made up solely of taxes. His aversion to receiving annual salary increases tells Americans he understands that the growing size of his wallet is of little importance.
Feingold has collectively rejected 70,000 dollars worth of pay increases and continually forced the issue onto the Senate's agenda. Stating in his letter to Nancy Pelosi that, ""ending automatic pay raises would also save roughly $80 million over 10 years,"" Feingold understands the significance of showing struggling Americans that congress isn't a profiteering business itself.
Though, through all of his determined efforts, rejection has accompanied his many inquiries. The House recently turned down Feingold's proposed bill, but his recent letter to speaker Nancy Pelosi shows constituents that he remains committed and that this is an issue of high priority.
As cliché as it sounds to say that politicians are nothing but greedy, top-hat wearing men who constantly sniff out the competition and only look to win the next ballot, I believe it would be an accurate assessment to claim that most of them are ignorant as well. Feingold may be a charitable soul looking to advance the economy by giving back to Americans, but his public push to redirect the flow of tax money away from the wallets of those in D.C. may be more than just an act of generosity. This particular senator knows what the voting public wants to see in its candidates and many in congress would benefit by taking a few hints from him. In this tough economic climate, a political figure who demands that hard earned tax money be used for something other than a congressman's next pay stub is what many constituencies applaud.
By continually pressuring congress to put a stop to unnecessary salary increases, Feingold is essentially preserving his seat in the Senate. Turning down potential raises demonstrates loyalty to his constituencies and therefore pushes him to become a much more appealing candidate to the voting public. Through all the corruption taking place in politics, honesty is a virtue that voters don't overlook and clearly Feingold knows it. His drive to end yearly promotions is one that any smart congressman should adopt. Genuine candidates are valued among voters, so congressmen need to make a decision: Accept the bonus or show Americans they are committed to digging us out of this economic crater which would consequently increase their approval ratings.
While the answer seems obvious, most congressmen aren't taking the bait. Whether Feingold is motivated to salvage tax payers' money for purely economic reasons or understands the lime light he is now shining in, it appears that his push to end to the ""stealth pay raise system"" gives this Wisconsin senator a leg up on the candidates now surrounding him.
Samantha Whithuhn is a sophomore majoring in political science. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
