The Charlotte Observer
Saturday, June 30, 2007
www.charlotte.com

EDITORIALS

Want a cheaper Congress?

A recent press release from U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes' office announced that the Concord Republican had again voted to reject the annual congressional cost-of-living adjustment. The adjudgment is paid automatically unless lawmakers vote to block it. They didn't, so House members will get a 2.5 percent raise -- about $4,400 -- to increase their salaries to just under $170,000.

"As a matter of principle, I don't think it's the right thing to do," Rep. Hayes explained.

Rep. Hayes' stance is made easier by the fact that he's fabulously wealthy. According to Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper, he ranked as the sixth richest member of Congress in 2006 with assets of about $60 million. That's a conservative statement, based on the low end of the ranges in the annual financial disclosure reports filed by members of Congress.

We get a little weary of the posturing about congressional pay. That $170,000 is less than the salaries of the Charlotte city manager, the Mecklenburg county manager and the superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

If rich people want to serve for nothing, that's a generous gesture. But here's what we recommend for members of Congress who aren't worth a $170,000 salary: Vote them out and replace them with someone who is.