Comments on: Jim Brown: Stand Under the Arch to Earn the Big Bucks in State Government http://cenlamar.com/2008/04/03/jim-brown-stand-under-the-arch-to-earn-the-big-bucks-in-state-government/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:36:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Drew Ward http://cenlamar.com/2008/04/03/jim-brown-stand-under-the-arch-to-earn-the-big-bucks-in-state-government/#comment-11298 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:34:39 +0000 http://cenlamar.wordpress.com/?p=1091#comment-11298 Oh definitely…that is of course the problem with it. Of course with all of our new Ethics laws that’s no longer possible….right? :^)

]]> By: Lamar White, Jr http://cenlamar.com/2008/04/03/jim-brown-stand-under-the-arch-to-earn-the-big-bucks-in-state-government/#comment-11297 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:10:54 +0000 http://cenlamar.wordpress.com/?p=1091#comment-11297 The only problem, Drew, is that if you only paid politicians minimum wage, you end up with a bunch of politicians who solely earn their living through money on the side.

]]> By: Drew Ward http://cenlamar.com/2008/04/03/jim-brown-stand-under-the-arch-to-earn-the-big-bucks-in-state-government/#comment-11296 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:02:38 +0000 http://cenlamar.wordpress.com/?p=1091#comment-11296 Mr, Brown thanks for taking the time to share your views with us all.

I personally have two views on pay for public servants. First i believe that when it comes to paying for professionals — people who are entrusted to get the job done, we can and should pay a competitive salary.

If we could afford Donald Trump as head of LED and actually get Donald Trump or Warren Buffet results for our state I say let’s go for it. It would be money well spent.

However, if we’re going to pay the big bucks we should be making sure we are hiring the world’s best and most productive people and not just promoting politically connected colleagues to high paying government jobs. I really know very little about the new head of LED, so I can’t say whether he or his staff is worth the money. I would like to know what other candidates from the global pool of proven development pros were considered before the conveniently local head of the Baton Rouge chamber was chosen for the job.

At the same time as I believe we can and should pay for talent when needed, I have a pretty radical belief on pay for elected officials:

I think they should be paid at minimum wage!

I’m sure that would never fly, but hey if it’s good enough for en elected official’s constituents, shouldn’t he or she be willing to accept that same wage?

The primary argument against minimum wage increases is often that they are unmerited. Politicians claim that the minimum is enough for a full-time employee to live off of.

So if it’s good enough for the voters of Louisiana, shouldn’t it be good enough for them?

Perhaps governor Jindall would like to accept this noble wage. Of course if he worked the typical full-time work load of 40 hours per week (2080 per year), that would give him the mighty yearly pay of $12,168.

12k…now that might cause a bit of a misery index even with the free car, driver, and free housing, and that’s with the new higher $5.85 per hour.

]]> By: Lamar White, Jr http://cenlamar.com/2008/04/03/jim-brown-stand-under-the-arch-to-earn-the-big-bucks-in-state-government/#comment-11294 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:54:21 +0000 http://cenlamar.wordpress.com/?p=1091#comment-11294 Mr. Brown,

I recall how many Republicans were calling for the Governor to completely eliminate the LED. I can’t understand why anyone held such a position, but I definitely find it ironic that instead of eliminating the department, Jindal and company appointed the head of the BR Chamber and gave him a substantial raise over Secretary Olivier’s salary.

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