It should not come as a surprise that the typical pay of a Fortune 100 corporate CEO is, according to Fortune Magazine,ranges between 8 and 12 million dollars per year, plus perks that usually add many millions more in compensation.CEO pay has escalated in hockey-stick form since the 1970's while the typical middle class worker has seen their real pay decline to an average of about $30,000 to $45,000. Those in lower pay categories typically earn less than $15,000. The middle class and lower wage earners are headed down hill economically while corporate executives are paid progressively higher wages from year to year. Additionally, these multi-millionaire executives gain even more compensation when they lay off thousands of workers, ship jobs overseas, and successfully reduce worker's pay and benefits.
The corporate executives are not alone in this takeover of purchasing power. Politicians at all levels have learned that they too deserve more pay. The small Town of Gibraltar Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for a 6% pay increase, while many in our community have lost their jobs and seen their pay take a hit. One member of the Town of Gibraltar Board of Supervisors who voted for the 6% pay increase is Mr. Dick Skare who is now running for state assembly under the Democratic Party banner.
The big-time politicians, Republicans, Democrats, and Tea Party Republicans who aspire to state offices must be asked if they will reject pay increases. Presently in Wisconsin and other states the state politicians have increased their pay annually, while state employees are now forced to take unpaid time off.
The big wigs in the U.S. Congress up their pay annually; the latest increase is about $10,000 raising their pay to between about $155,000 to about $195,000 plus benefits and ample travel and staff allowances. Our Congress sucked up the tax payer's money while at the same time eliminating cost of living increases for aged Social Security retirees. Whose side are those who voted for these political hijacking of tax dollars are these corrupt politicians for?
Their is no question that the contemporary politicians, with some notable exceptions who refuse pay increases while our economy lags and workers suffer, are clearly greedy. The majority of them seem to care only about their own bank accounts. In the state of Wisconsin, Russ Feingold and Steve Kagan are two politicians who have refused their pay increases and really work for the people of our state and district, respectively.
As politicians and corporate executives seem to join the greed spectacle, the typical worker is often buffaloed into believing the propaganda that they spout claiming that they have our interests at heart. Why then do they show their colors by scooping as much pay as they can while claiming that they are working for a better America.
With elections soon upon us, we must compare the words of prospective elected officials to their real deeds, not promised actions. What does their past tell? Do not accept propaganda as fact. Do your own homework independently of the talking heads that saturate the media with their own brands of propaganda. Dig and get facts for yourself and vote accordingly. Do not be a dupe for self serving individuals who are eager to follow the corporate executive pathway to achieve influence, power, and a free ride on worker's taxes. Be aware that slogans and promises on TV advertisements must be checked against reality. A sucker may be born every minute, but we must not take phony bait for realty no matter how glorious it seems.
2 comments:
Its about time this was pointed very nicely, thank you. I ask all people to vote not because of a party, but regardless of that affiliation as the two party system has failed middle America miserably to the point we fall further behind country after country in one measurement or another. I ask voters to think about the long term and who has specifics for aligning the use of tax dollars to do the right thing. Career politicians are much like teachers in an age old folklore born out again and again, those that can't do teach. Those that can't collect a million dollar salary slowly give themselves raise after raise, perk after perk to where we are now. The system is broke and needs change. Local, state and federal representatives have to face the fact that we are at a precipice, and decision making with sometimes incomprehensible uncertainty is an elected persons responsibility, there is no more room for self service.
Appreciate your comment and please send my blog to as amny folks as you care to!
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