By Doc Clements
Inflation is running rampant. Blame it on who you like, but we all really know that it is a result of too many dollars chasing too few good. Manufacturing was shut down over the past eighteen months. Inflation hits us across the board, but obviously hurts lower income families the hardest. The incremental changes seen in wages are offset by higher prices. Rents have increased dramatically.
Increased gas prices have been one of the larger elements of inflation. Oil has gone from no demand and twenty dollars a barrel to peak demand and one hundred twenty dollars a barrel. The geopolitical issues have certainly not been helpful. It does not look like that is going to have a rapid resolution.
To further frustrate us is the uncertainty of the COVID issue. We have just relaxed our high security with hopes that this is THE END only to observe new waves of variants in China & Europe. China is in a full lockdown. Not having achieved herd immunity due to low vaccination rates doesn’t help. Needless to say, a good degree of uncertainty exists and provides continued angst.
So, I think it is safe to say that a heightened degree of economic uncertainty prevails. I am perplexed that our state legislature thinks it is the perfect time for each to get $5,000/year pay increase and the added retirement upward adjustment. Seriously, they were making $89K, plus health insurance, vacation pay, retirement, expenses and additional pay for committees. They work approximately 120 days per year. We have some of the highest paid legislators in the nation. So many legislators regard this as a part time job and run other businesses at home. Our good Senator in district 48 is running a multimillion dollar family insurance business.
I have always been amazed that legislators could raise their own pay. It is the only business that the employee raises their own salary. Really, shouldn’t it be a ballot item and the employers (voters) decide? Pennsylvania has one of the highest paid legislatures. I hardly think with the massive SERS & PSERS debt of $117 BILLION, they have done a wonderful job. Certainly, not one that deserves a raise.
The raises and the increase in retirement need to be rolled back immediately. Further there are still legislators that are taking 100 % unfunded pensions adding to the pension debt burden and that must stop NOW. Enough is Enough, you are being paid well for a job not so well done and the taxpayers are tired of the GREED. Rollback the Raise!
Author: Amaury Abreu
