Think About It. Public Service. Indy Do Day is expected to turn out over 25,000 volunteers for planned events and individual projects again. That’s “public service”. Today legislators from small towns to the hill in D.C. crow about the joy sacrificing their lives for the good of constituents through their public service. It surely doesn’t go unnoticed that many of these serving citizens have chosen the roles for less altruistic reasons. Somehow, previously penurious politicians find happiness, success, power and wealth in the service of their communities and their country. On occasion I have been identified as a cynic. But it is surely difficult not to see the signs of surprising affluence in some our public servants. We’re pretty sure that the path to legislation is paved with at least a little gold, but there’s more.
On the national scene, over Benjamin Franklin’s objection, The Constitution of The United States directs in Article I, Section 6 that “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their services, to be ascertained by Law.” By 1789 they gave themselves $6 per diem for the long trips and short stays in the nation’s capitol. By 1815, our legislators decided on $1500 a year which lasted ’til 1817. Back to $6 for Representatives and a whopping $7 for Senators, establishing a proper pecking order. It was 1855 before they got back on track with a $3000 a year and plans for continued increases. From my birth until this day, compensation has gone from $9,000 to $174,000. Seems only average for a successful citizen today. However, that’s chump change.
The lists of perks and permissions are ambiguous enough to assure our dedicated reps’ continued loyalty. Even though polls indicate that you have little respect for them, you continue to re-elect constituents at the rate of 90% nationwide for reasons only you know. Along with retirement and health benefits they are permitted to earn limited incomes for outside employment. However, for money not coming from a mundane job, their incomes are unlimited. Naturally they receive generous retirement, health benefits and lots of stamps.
But it’s the “allowance” that you’d like. The Congressional Research Service tells us it’s to cover “official office expenses, including staff, mail, travel between Member’s district or state and Washington, DC, and other goods and services.” Hold your breath. House members get between $1.3 to $1.9 million a year. It’s better to be a Senator with between $2.9 million to $4.5 million. The larger numbers are to compensate for higher travelling expenses? You are allowed to request specific receipts, but your lawmaker isn’t required to provide it.
A formerly proud and wealthy Thomas Jefferson was perhaps the most dedicated of the Founding Fathers, travelling hundreds of miles for many years to help form and maintain the early government. Late in life he painfully permitted an auction of his possessions (including Monticello) to pay debts. That’s public service. Hero of the fight for independence, George Washington was offered $25,000 for his first year as President. He refused it. Now, that is Public Service. Think About It.