Bolivian President halves his own pay

[aussielax]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4652940.stm

The Bolivian new left-wing President, Evo Morales, has cut his salary by more than a half to a little over $1,800 (£1,012) per month.

The decision means that the salaries of all Bolivian public sector employees will be reviewed, as no official can earn more than the president.

Mr Morales said the money saved would be used to increase the numbers of doctors and teachers.

Mr Morales suggested that members of Congress should cut their salaries too.

During the campaign, Mr Morales had pledged to halve his own pay if elected.

The move announced after his first cabinet went beyond that, with a cut of 57%.

It's interesting to see a world lerader cutting their own salary to bennifit their country.

I'm just wondering does everybody think Politician's in the west should give up some of their pay to be re-directed to bennifit the people of their country ?

[SachemsGoalie40]

that doesn't sound like a bad idea, until no public sector employees can not earn more money than the president, but maybe in that part of the world it is enough money to get by with.

[anjang86]

It's not going to make a big difference in America if the Prez cuts his salary, it will make a big difference in Bolivia though.

[FPDefense]

Arnold in Cali is only getting paid 1 dollar a year.

[ColtsLax]

The NJ govenor hasnt taken a salary in 8 years. And we still have like 1 billion dollars of debt

Our presidnet makes very little money, so it would make a differance.

[laxrat22]

thats because arnold is like a bagillionaire. the mayor of NYC does the same thing, but he's worth like 5 or 6 billion dollars or something like that. i would be steaming pissed if i got a pay cut because i'd be making more than the president. i think bush makes like $400,000 a year if you dont count what he's getting from haliburtan and his other "contributers"

[zachm90]

The decision means that the salaries of all Bolivian public sector employees will be reviewed, as no official can earn more than the president.

I like how he's cutting his own salary, but i don't like the fact that everybody else in the government recieves a smaller salary.

[WestSideLa X eR]

Its less about the monetary value of the presidents income, but more about the importance of the gesture.

[truste1]

The president makes very little money - especially for what his job entails, America would barely even feel it if he decided to half his salary. However, in less fortunate nations this is a bigger deal.

By the way, before all of the anti-Bush people jump in with their normal rhetoric, let it be known that the Bush family is the largest contributor to the United Negro College Fund, among other funds. So it's not like he's pocketing the money. Bush also holds BBQ's for his security detail when they're in Crawford, so maybe some of the money goes to that too. :)

[Brandon303]

Yeah, now there's some who deserves to be president.

[lax4life6]

I like how he's cutting his own salary, but i don't like the fact that everybody else in the government recieves a smaller salary.
he probly talked to them about it beforehand.

[Eclipse]

thats because arnold is like a bagillionaire. the mayor of NYC does the same thing, but he's worth like 5 or 6 billion dollars or something like that. i would be steaming pissed if i got a pay cut because i'd be making more than the president. i think bush makes like $400,000 a year if you dont count what he's getting from haliburtan and his other "contributers"

The president makes $428,000 a year, with a $50,000 salary. Also take into account the fact that his housing, automobiles, meals, all that good stuff just kind of comes with the job. Although on the surface it doesnt seem like alot...$428,000 is a ton of money when you arent paying for a damn thing

[aussielax]

I think if a politician's only job is politics and they are not sitting on a considerable pile of money from there previous jobs they should give up theri salary to bennifit the nation.

People say that $400,000 a year isnt that much, But hell i know my school would take $400,000 to upgrade our facilities, And im sure their are hundreds of hospitals in the US that could but $400,000 to a great cause.

[Eclipse]

400,000 wouldnt do a whole lot to help in the U.S. There is simply way to much money flowing. Renovations at our high school cause millions, and research into anything medically also cost millions. 400,000 could do a lot for a one person...but not anything for the country as a whole. Our debt is in the Trillions and not stopping. 400,000 is sadly, irrelevant to american society.