The state pay raise battle is never over

If anyone thinks that the unwarranted, unearned, ill-advised bill to raise the pay of members of the state legislature is over, then I would like to talk to you about a bridge on Michigan Avenue I'd like to sell you.

The same thing is going to happen this time, as it has happened in the past. One of the first bills to be brought up for a vote after the election will be the pay raises which will, as in the past, pass.

And all the state lawmakers who are taking up valuable space while providing little or nothing to the citizens, will get their raises.

Then some of us will protest their chutzpah and they will respond by sending out a few talking heads to justify themselves. What a crock.

The fact is, we have a state legislature and executive branch that are paralyzed because our governor and the speaker of the house are acting like a couple of 9-year-olds. I suggest we temporarily end it by putting the gloves on both of them and let them duke it out in the school yard.

Winner gets his way, for now. Then, when they come up for re-election, vote them both out of office along with every incumbent in the legislature, Democrats and Republicans.

In other words, as long as the people of Illinois keep voting them into office so they can do what's right for themselves and not worry too much about the rest of us, then we deserve exactly what we get.

Here's an idea. If our lawmakers are so concerned about the people they represent, then lets get them to agree to place all raises for everyone in Illinois government on the ballot each time and let the people decide if they have earned it.

That's real democracy in action. How much do you want to bet they will never do it? But they will offer lame excuse after lame excuse as to why we shouldn't have a direct say in what they are earning.

After all, if the voters decide that issue, the lawmakers and executive branch would have to actually earn their money just like the rest of us. If that happens, then where's the fun in being a member of the legislature?

And finally, everyone who would like to decide, along with your fellow workers, if you should get a raise, how much that raise should be and when it becomes effective, please raise your hand.

Len Brauer

Palatine