Lawmakers should cut their own pay

I was born toward the end of the "Great Depression." Got an education, went on to marry, raise three sons, served my country with six years in the military and pursued a career in manufacturing management. Lived through a few recessions. Don't recall how many. Had to lay off employees during the downturns as well as take personal cuts in pay and benefits.

It's the thing you do in business to keep expenses lower than income so the business can remain profitable and continue to operate and provide employment for as many folks as possible. During this current "recession/perhaps depression" I see business doing all these things to lower their expenses just as we did in past years. It disturbs me greatly, however, in that I fail to see any urgent action being taken by any of our government agencies at the local, state or federal level.

I have not heard one single politician suggest that our representatives take a health pay cut or reduction of the many perks they have piled on their plates. It seems that they all can, when called upon, voice sympathy for those they represent who have lost jobs, homes and financial security.

They are quick to claim that they feel our pain but apparently do not intend to share the pain. May I suggest that they set the example and demonstrate some leadership and start with an immediate 25 percent pay cut and a 50 percent reduction in expense account expenditures? Most of them have additional sources of income anyway, and I'm sure this good faith demonstration would not place them in financial jeopardy. Sadly I realize that this is more wishful thinking on my part than any possibility of becoming a reality.

Bob Steinberg

Wheeling