Yesterday, CLT&G delivered the following memo to the State House:
The CLT&G Diogenes Quest
[graphic of Diogenes' lamp]
To: Members of the Massachusetts House
July 8, 1997
Re: Roll Call on *”Finneran's Favorites”* Payraise
Like Diogenes, we carry our lamp on a quest for a certain kind of person.
Like the Marines, we are looking for a few good men and women.
Members of the House, arise for a roll call! You have nothing to lose but your embarrassment. Demand to be counted on the *”Finneran's Favorites”* payraise!
Rep. Hodgkins may yet satisfy Diogenes with his statement that “This whole thing is ridiculous,” because truer words were never spoken.
Reps. Rushing and Jehlen make three warriors tough enough to stand up and be counted.
All that is needed for a roll call on the *”Finneran's Favorites”* payraise is 17 more stout-hearted members.
How many members of the “opposition party” are there?
Twenty-nine? Why, that gives us more than enough! Even if you don't count the two Republican *”Finneran's Favorites”*.
Twenty-nine “good and open government” Republicans, and at least three brave Democrats: the roll call is assured. After all, this is not a vote on the alleged merits of giving legislators who are loyal to the leadership and can count heads a major payraise even though legislative staffers haven't had one in years and the taxpayers haven't had a decent tax cut. This is only a vote to let your constituents know how you voted on the *”Finneran's Favorites”* payraise.
Don't you want them to know?
The Speaker is in Italy, and you're not. *”Finneran's Favorites”* get extra pay, and you don't (unless you are one of the “Favorites”). *”Finneran's Favorites”* get paid for counting heads for a roll call: the least you can do is give them something to count.
While you're arising, we hope you will also vote against the bill—which is returning to you for enactment—until the controversial section you were told wasn't there, isn't.
We look forward to seeing you on your feet, because the alternative is remaining on your knees.