LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- New President Evo Morales cut his salary by more than half and ordered that no Cabinet minister collect a higher wage than his own, with the savings earmarked for hiring more public school teachers.
In one of the first decrees of his five-day-old administration, the leftist former street activist said his monthly salary would be 15,000 bolivianos, or the equivalent of about $1,700.
"I ask for (the ministers') understanding and efforts to try meet this demand, not for Evo but for the people," Morales said after a Thursday meeting with his Cabinet.
"We need 6,000 new teachers and there is only money for 2,200."
GOI: Wow, this would pretty much NEVER happen here in the United States where our politicians make obscene amounts of money. They never vote for pay cuts but rather always vote themselves pay raises. How refreshing would it be if we had a President who actually sacrificed along with his/her people like Evo Morales in Bolivia?
I also like the fact that Morales doesn't wear expensive suits and ties but instead chooses to simply where a sweater. Here's a leader who knows that the people are his bosses and chooses to live as they do. American politicians might gain the public support again if they choose to adopt these same sacrifices. At the very least it would go a long way in reaching out to the average American and show that our leaders feel our pain and understand our struggles.
---Viva Morales!!!---
2 comments:
Yes, this does sound promising, but I've seen other popular "men of the people" come to power with great promises to help the poor only to see these leaders betray the people in order to hold on to power.
I remain cautiously optimistic with Morales. Very cautious.
Shaw: Yeah, I think one has to be cautious with any politician but I like what I'm seeing and hearing from this guy so far. At least he was democratically elected.
I really dig Democratic-Socialism. It's a great blend of two political systems that have battled through out the ages.
This hybrid government seems to be the government of the future (Most of Europe and much of South America) and the only way to go if you ask me.
Post a Comment