Posted on 12/20/2001 6:56:33 AM PST by Rockinfreakapotamus
I wonder if my letter to the Senator, dated February 1, 2001, informing him that I plan to be his opponent in the 2002 election, has had anything to do with his public rebirth? Let me remind you that, February 1, 2001, was the day Rockefeller voted against the confirmation of John Ashcroft as Attorney General.
Since then, the Senator’s re-election campaign operations have been working twenty-four seven. For example, he made statewide visits to meet with editorial boards of most of the daily newspapers explaining in detail why he would vote against granting a $600 tax refund to West Virginia’s working families. He has been front and center explaining how federalizing baggage handlers would make air travel so much safer. On statewide radio while discussing the events of September 11th, he announced that he is having second thoughts concerning his long time opposition to a missile defense system. And rumor has it that Hallmark, even in a recession, is having a robust year because the Senator has greatly expanded his Christmas card list.
However, the re-election propaganda machine has been noticeably silent over the Senator’s most recent controversial vote granting himself a nearly $5,000 pay raise. In an attempt to block the pay raise earlier this month, Democrat Senator Russ Feingold made a logical plea to all senators. In essence he said that considering the facts that the budget surpluses have ended, the economy is in a recession and thousands of workers have been laid off, now would not be a good time to increase senators’ salaries to $150,000. Senator Rockefeller voted with the majority to raise his own salary anyway.
Senator Rockefeller may be one who gives his salary to charity each year because of his own personal wealth. If that is the case, it is an honorable act that is to be commended. Nevertheless, I recall the New Jersey senate race last year in which Jon Corizine spent $60 million of his own money to get elected. Seems to me that we could have reduced congressional salaries by $5,000 and still had multi-millionaires lined up to buy a seat of influence.
So, the message we received is that West Virginia families don’t deserve a $600 raise while Senators deserve a $5,000 raise. Come on Senator Rockefeller, the rationale escapes us. Give us a clue. Why did you vote yourself a pay raise?
M. Jay Wolfe
PO Box 89
Salem, WV 26426
NOTE: Bold text emphasised by me.
The following are other Jay Wolfe related weblinks:
I can promise my best effort to get rid of one of them.
They must have a terrific need to serve the people!!! (yeah, right)
We are in deep do-do when a 'hole like Corzine can beat a guy like Franks, who has been in the biz for a long time, and done a well-above-average job.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.