Opposition to wage cuts

When the new administration proposed the idea of salary reduction across the board for all government employees and eliminate other government programs so that the cost of operating the government is met without affecting the welfare of the general public, it seemed like a sensible idea. However, when this idea was passed along, some members of the Legislature seemed to feel they were expert in constitutional law and had to put their two cents in. This complicated the matter as well as completely changed the original intention of the proposed plan.

Recently, we read in the local newspaper that the subject legislation is being amended to target the lower echelon personnel with a salary reduction while exempting the higher bracket personnel such as the constitutionally elected officials inclusive of the Governor, Lt. Governor, members of the Legislature, Judges, and Mayors. How nice that some members of the Legislature have the audacity to claim immunity, while poor John Q. Public will be mandated to forfeit 10 percent of their meager salary. In fact, it should be the opposite: the upper echelon employees, who are earning higher salaries and have many perks, should be the one to carry the burden of higher salary cuts. Also the proposal to exempt certain employees is not acceptable and totally unfair to the public. Everyone should share in the salary cut to some degree depending on how much they earn. In fact, an employee just barely making the U.S. minimum wage should be exempted. These are the people who can least afford to survive on 10 percent less than what they are earning now. At times, they wonder whether they can make it to the next pay period.

It is disheartening to learn that the promise made by politicians during the campaign season is a fallacy and only a gimmick to lure in the votes. The proposed idea of exempting constitutionally elected officials runs contrary to the campaign promises. Once you get into office, you completely forgot who put you there. So, gentlemen, go on with your thoughtless acts and enjoy the good times while you are in office. However, do not think that good things last forever because it is not true. The next election is just around the corner and I am sure that the same slogan will be repeated, “Please help me so that I can help you.”

I am encouraging the public to come out and voice their opposition to the amended legislation when members of the Legislature hold a public hearing in your area. I plan to be there to continue with my opposition.

Lastly, I recommended to the Legislature to junk this bill and reintroduce a new version exempting those employees who are barely earning enough to live from paycheck to paycheck.

Pedro Q. Dela Cruz
Rota