Make the Politicians Pay Their Way

When was the last time that you said,"Right On" to one of your elected representatives in Wisconsin state or Federal governments? When did you completely understand what some politician was saying about an issue? Do you believe that those you elect represent your interests and the public NEEDS? When was the last time that you wrote to one of your elected representatives? Did you receive a lucid reply? Or any reply? [I must say that Senator Russ Feingold and Congressman Mark Green both reply to all letters, and quite differently. At least, that is my experience.] 

 

If you answered these questions with responses similar to mine, we will conclude that most politicians are living in a separate world from most of us. Why wouldn't they, since from the moment they are elected to office they start planning their next campaign for re-election. Most of them have a single purpose. To sit on the throne of power and assure themselves a gravy-train of benefits, paid by the rest of "us". "Us" means the working people of our country who pay ALL the expenses and salaries that any elected politician receives.This includes all travel for their work (and play?), all medical bills, all government paid benefits, and a hefty (depending on years served) pension when they leave office. We also pay for their staff, housing allowances, offices, and all supplies. We also pay the taxes that are required of them from their salaries.

 

Our Wisconsin elected representatives are paid salaries, travel expenses, medical benefits, and allowances when away from their home district. Pensions are also assured. That beautiful Capitol Building in Madison, and the maintenance and upkeep expenses are all paid by "us". All of this is provided by "us". Not bad for a part time job!

 

Check out the Door County jail and Justice Center that you are paying for with your taxes. Guess who approved them for you. Do you know what it costs us to pay for 21 County Board Supervisors and their staffs, expenses, and meeting rooms, etc?. Too much! Do you know that we have a new state law that allows a county to reduce the number of Supervisors? Even the County Board could take this action. Do you think they will? How does seven sound to you? How about a referendum to reduce the number of Supervisors from 21 to 7? Maybe, this would start a tax reduction movement in Door County. Maybe, our county government would become more responsive to all of the people, and more efficient too. 

 

If we, the public, received services that were justified by what we pay the politicians, we would possibly think that we are paying a fair price for the goods. Do you believe that we are?

 

Let me ask who pays your bills? Do you get reimbursed for your gasoline costs to travel to and from work? How about housing and food allowances? Who pays your medical insurance costs? What about a paid staff and all office expenses at home? Do you get "donations" from lobbyists and special interest groups to help you pay for "special job expenses", like getting re-elected?

 

Is their any wonder that most politicians seek the elected office gravy-train for obvious reasons! Power, benefits, power, $, power, are clear answers. 

 

We, the people deserve true servants of the people, not the corporate lackeys that we so often elect. We, the people, must receive a fair return for what we pay for democratic, representative government, rather than the bureaucratic bull that is served. 

 

Let us demand that all politicians, who have independent incomes above a certain level, pay all their expenses, including staff costs. Let's demand reimbursement for political expenses that are part of "campaign" costs. Let's demand that ALL transportation expenses be paid personally by elected politicians just as we do to travel to and from work. The "demand" list goes on and on.

 

Maybe, if we demand that politicians pay for all of their expenses just like most of us do, we would start a new trend. More results for less taxes. More action and less talk. More for our money. 

 

Most importantly, those who would pay their own way as elected representatives would be more likely to confront the real problems that face most of us. We should hear less imagined and contrived political bull from politicians who now live off our taxes, and lobbyist troughs. Demand that the politicians pay their way!