U.S. Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma is getting grouchier with age.
He has described Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s decision to donate part of his salary back to the Treasury in response to the mandated “sequestration” budget cuts as “childish,” and a publicity stunt.
I beg to differ with the distinguished gentlemen from the Sooner State.
The decision isn’t childish. It demonstrates a desire to lead by example, which, where I come from, is the most effective type of leadership of all.
Hagel has been joined by President Obama and a handful of other executive branch officials in giving back 5 percent of their salaries. It’s interesting to me that House members and senators aren’t too eager to join the ranks of those willing to give back some of their salary. Those folks – along with the president – are responsible for the sequestration in the first place.
Inhofe says he has no plans to follow Hagel’s and Obama’s lead. He must need the money.
Sen. Inhofe ought to set aside his crabby attitude, though, and recognize that folks have differing views on how to handle the ongoing federal budget struggle. No one believes these gestures are anything more than symbolic. They won’t balance the budget.
Still, these gestured do matter when our leaders ask others to sacrifice for the good of the country.