Political Quotes

“This question of pay inversion, let me just sort of describe it. You have a sergeant who has served 5 or 6 years. He has a wife and two children. And then a private comes into his platoon, and he has a number of children, which enables him to qualify for food stamps. Now we add a certain sum of money, which the Senator proposes, and the salary of the private is coming right up very close to the salary of the sergeant. Now, the Senator knows from his long experience in the military--and my experience is far more modest than our distinguished colleague from Arizona, but having served in the Department of Defense, I have watched for many years this question of pay because pay has a tremendous significance not only to the military person who wears the uniform, but to the wife and family. It is a matter of pride. It is recognition for his length of service, for his professionalism, which by virtue of that length of service is greater than the younger people coming on. How do we address that? What guidance do we give, say, the officer corps and senior noncoms who have to deal with this issue, on the assumption that Congress passes it?”