Maximum Wage

In this time where class warfare is on the rise, I think there are a few things we need to keep in mind. 

First and foremost, I want to remind everyone that Congress routinely gives themselves automatic raises.  We (in this country) already have a minimum wage.  So, why not a maximum wage?  Why not tie all the congressional raises to the minimum wage?  That is, Congress does not get a raise unless the minimum wage is raised.  We can set this to be a fixed multiplier on the minimum wage.

I find it ironic that Members of Congress (on both sides of the isle) are chastising corporate executives for their bonuses and perks, and, yet, these very same Members of Congress are getting automatic pay raises.  Isn't this a double standard?  In economic times like these, everyone is focusing on Wall Street.  What about the Members of Congress?  Do we really know how much money is being spent by these folks?  It seems to me that we need to start reigning in Government Spending.  It seems to me that the Government should be setting a good example - they should not be spending money they do not have.  Isn't this really what has put the country in the trouble we are in today?

Now, lets think about the "rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer" mind set.  America is the land of opportunity.  That means that some of these folks are going to be lucky enough to be running a Fortune 100 company.  Not very many - but a few.  The key concept has always been (as communicated to me by my parents and grand parents), you get what you earn.  If you want to work your way into a better paying "job", then, you need to work hard enough to achieve that goal.  The thought that the Government is supposed to provide everyone the same opportunity seems to fly in the face of this concept. 

On the other hand ... when a corporation is not providing its employees with cost of living raises, at the same time the company is giving CEOs and Executives huge salaries and bonuses - something is just not fair.  This is the real problem.  How can we have a meritocracy that rewards hard work, that will also protect these hard working folks against corporate greed?  How can we eliminate the double standard by Government - shouldn't they take pay caps and cuts like the rest of the "average" Americans?

Just my two cents ...