Sarah Palin Refuses Pay Rise and shows true leadership qualities

A very interesting report has appeared in the Anchorage Daily News concerning Governor Palin's pay. Members of Congress should take note.

A new state commission appointed by Palin recommends boosting the governor's pay from $125,000 to $150,000. The State Officers Compensation Commission says the lieutenant governor, department heads and legislators need more money too.
But if the commission pushes ahead with a pay raise, Palin won't accept the money, said spokesman Bill McAllister.

Palin is as usual showing leadership qualities. This is in marked contrast to Democrat controlled Congress where each member will receive a pay rise of $4,700. The anti Palin media continues to blacken her reputation with unfounded attacks and smears. It is largely silent on her self-sacrifices. As far as liberals are concerned Sarah Palin's biggest crime is that she is pro-life.

Ireland-Bertie strikes gold

The Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector has recommended that the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern should receive a pay rise of €38k. This will bring his annual salary to €310,000. This makes him one of the best paid leaders in world politics.

It is interesting to compare the salaries of some world leaders:

• Angela Merkel (German Chancellor) €311,778
• Bertie Ahern (Ireland) €310,000
• George W Bush (USA) €284,000
• Gordon Brown (UK) €268,000
• John Howard (Australia) €206,000

The Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector has further recommended that around 1600 senior staff including Ministers and Junior Ministers, the judiciary, top gardaí and heads of Government departments and state agencies should receive average increases of 7.3% The total cost of the increases will be around €16m a year.

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has begun to slash public expenditure which is rising at a rate of 13%. Reductions in front line services at hospitals is further fueling hostility to the Government. There are indications that benchmarking will disappoint many public servants. The inflation rate of 4% remains stubbornly high. Unemployment has begun to rise. This Government has entered choppy waters. These rises will inflame public opinion.

The Taoiseach's salary of €310,000 should certainly add an edge to the leadership ambitions of several Cabinet Ministers.