2 for 1? Sign Me Up!

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has begun a series of reports regarding the retirement system of public officials on the state level in Arkansas. For the sake of privacy, there is a lot of information that is inaccessable, which I would understand were it not for the fact that these retirement accounts are publicly financed. Essentially, it boils down to two years' retirement credit for one year of public service such as in the legislature. In some cases, the formula goes to 2.5-1 and even 3-1.

I suppose what really caught my attention was one public official who was at one time a teacher who had to take a leave of absence from his job while the legislature was in session. He has since moved on to bigger and better things, but what irks me is his response in which he seemed to believe that because of the great, "personal" sacrifice he made for us (????), he should be entitled to such a lucrative retirement income that will pay him approximately $100,000.00 per year once he retires. By the way, he now serves as the president of a major Arkansas university where he earns over $130,000.00 now. I have no idea what kind of retirement deal he will have acquired once he retires from that post.

I wonder if it ever occurred to this gentleman that he was not drafted or forced to serve in the General Assembly. If I had to guess, I would say that he spent a great deal of money virtually BEGGING for the job. Did he have personal motives for wanting to serve? Almost certainly. Even the most idealistic person would have lofty goals that would benefit individuals who choose this particular path. What I find most disturbing is his current "entitlement" attitude that suggests we citizens somehow owe him a retirement that will pay him well above the average Arkansas income.

There have been many positive changes to the pay structure for state constitutional officers over the years, and they were long overdue. For the benefit of those reading this who do not reside in Arkansas, the constitutional officers are also term-limited. The problem with THIS, however, is that one can serve in the Arkansas House until termed out, then run for a seat in the state Senate and term out there. Because of term limits, however, the formulas seem to have been adjusted to benefit the shorter terms.

I suppose it's good work if you can get it, but there aren't many of us who will get it although we will certainly finance it. What's worse: we keep reelecting the same ones over and over again because we recognize the names and we remember how friendly they were at the local barbeque or county fair; we are ignorant of their voting records because we are too busy/too lazy/too disinterested to read and keep up with legislative issues once they are in session and come up with formulas such as this which will benefit only a select few.

I realize that these men and women who serve must take unpaid time off from their jobs while the legislature is in session, and they must be fairly compensated for this time. However, a lifetime retirement income in excess of the median Arkansas income is not reasonable by any stretch.