The number of the day is $169,300. Your elected Federal representatives (Senators/Representatives) received a salary increase for 2008. The were bumped up $4,100 per year and they will make $169,300 per year.

With the approval ratings the lowest in history, should members of Congress get any type of pay increase? I could write a book on what they did not accomplish in 2007, but then I would have to sit back and read comments from both sides on what they claim they did accomplish. Here in Montana, we hear and read almost daily the “great” work they are doing or, more importantly, taking credit for doing.

Realistically, most members of Congress don’t need the money. Many are rich beyond our wildest imagination. Being a member of Congress is kind of a hobby for many – a mountain to climb and a mountain to stay on, like they are the king of the hill.

To settle this, why don’t we just place a salary question on the ballot every two or four years and let the voters decide? Every two years each member of the House of Representatives and a third of the U.S. Senate face reelection. Every four years, we elect a President. Surely we could place a question on the ballot asking if members of Congress should receive a Cost of Living increase? (I know, don’t call you Shirley. Sorry.). The answer is either Yes or No. If more than 25 states vote yes, they get a salary increase. If 25 or less states agree to it, then we’ll have to tell them, “Sorry, your employer does not feel you have performed well enough to merit a salary increase.”

I know, I know, I’m dreaming.