Letter: History lesson for legislators, Jindal
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I thought a bit of history might serve as a lesson for all of those concerned with this legislative pay-raise fiasco.
In 1789, the pay for the United States Congress was set at $6. In 1816, it was proposed that the pay be increased to an annual salary of $1,500. Some even suggested that they increase it to $2,500!
A few voices of wisdom suggested that if the pay were increased, it should not go into effect until following the next election cycle. However, by a vote of 81-67, the Compensation Act of 1816 was passed with an immediate pay raise of $1,500.
That fall, the outraged citizens expressed their feelings on the matter. Two-thirds of the House and half of the Senate were voted out of office. As soon as the new Congress was seated, the pay-raise bill was repealed, and the pay was restored to a per diem rate, with only a $2 increase, to $8.
Let this be a lesson to our state Legislature and governor. We the people will not forget what they have done.
I hope that this is the issue they are really prepared to expend all of their political capital on: a bill that lines their pockets instead of a bill that serves the people.
Eric Johnson
military
Ponchatoula
In 1789, the pay for the United States Congress was set at $6. In 1816, it was proposed that the pay be increased to an annual salary of $1,500. Some even suggested that they increase it to $2,500!
A few voices of wisdom suggested that if the pay were increased, it should not go into effect until following the next election cycle. However, by a vote of 81-67, the Compensation Act of 1816 was passed with an immediate pay raise of $1,500.
That fall, the outraged citizens expressed their feelings on the matter. Two-thirds of the House and half of the Senate were voted out of office. As soon as the new Congress was seated, the pay-raise bill was repealed, and the pay was restored to a per diem rate, with only a $2 increase, to $8.
Let this be a lesson to our state Legislature and governor. We the people will not forget what they have done.
I hope that this is the issue they are really prepared to expend all of their political capital on: a bill that lines their pockets instead of a bill that serves the people.
Eric Johnson
military
Ponchatoula
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