Nov 4, 2005 3 min read

I have heard almost every argument going why we should not give our political representatives a raise. I am appalled that people do not want good representation, with reps of knowledge and political experience to bring every dollar to southwest Pennsylvania that they can. I look at it this way: sate Rep. Bill DeWeese, state Sen. Barry Stout and U.S. Rep. John Murtha represent not only we the people, but collectively have over 100 years of service and expertise in doing their jobs. We as rural folk need this kind of politician on our side or the city reps will swallow the funded monies up before we have a chance.

I do not agree that voting for salaries should be done in the early hours of the morning, but let’s not blame DeWeese, as he has no control of when the house agenda is set. His obligation to us is to show up for the vote.

I view these reps as not only experienced, serviced-minded, honorable men, but also as three guys who have somewhat been the largest employers in southwest Pennsylvania. Experience brings two maximum security prisons that directly employ about 1,500 people; experience brings new companies such as the Lee Company that is presently building a facility in Greene County; experience brings many numerous construction jobs to our three counties; experience brings thousands of dollars to our colleges, our hospitals, and townships, which are gaining infrastructures such as water and sewer on a monthly basis. We need to pay qualified representatives to fight the battle in a good, sound manner.

These jobs require long hours, extreme intelligence, good judgment, loyal appreciation to their constituents, time away from their families, and generally seven days a week is their work schedule. I, as a taxpayer, am concerned about spending but let’s not cut our nose off to spite our face.

If we choose representation without the experience and knowledge, we will get left behind. We are so blessed with our reps, and I say we need to keep them and let them know we appreciate a job well done.

Did you know that Bill DeWeese has not had a pay raise in 10 years? How would the average wage earner feel if your employer did the same for you? Before you judge their salaries, please have enough sense to investigate what each one of our hardworking representatives do for us. Call their offices for service and it’s done. Recognize what monies pour into our counties that help so many, either directly or indirectly.

Again, I don’t agree with every move they all make but by a large majority, I appreciate their dedication, their help back home, their passion for the job at hand and the fight they do on a daily basis for their constituents.

If we want professional expertise in our representatives, we better pay or we will end up with second-best, and then you will feel the pain of what poor representation is all about.

Samuel Boyd

Waynesburg