Why are our state lawmakers getting a 3 percent cost-of-living pay increase while their employees’ wages are frozen?

What’s good for one should be good for the other.

A Dec. 11 jeer criticized state Rep. Daryl Melcalfe for his stance that there wasn’t enough time to draft a bill saying “no cost-of-living increase.”

Drafting such a bill doesn’t sound that complicated.

The state budget is being severely cut in many areas, which affects every one of us. I urge every person to call his or her state lawmakers and make it clear that this increase must be repealed.

Some lawmakers have said they give their increase to charity. So what! That money comes out of taxpayers’ pockets, and the salary jump means an increase for the lawmakers’ pension.

Obviously, the people who represent us — state and federal — are not concerned in cutting corners, big or small. It all adds up.

Meanwhile, Butler County government must have had a windfall lately. How would other county workers like a pay increase of, say, 20 percent?

Congratulations to Lori Altman, Butler County’s personnel director, who was granted such an increase by the county salary board. Will there be other big salary boosts?

What were the county commissioners — who are on the salary board — thinking? Will this impact future union negotiations?

Why can’t our elected officials see the destructive path they are on? When it comes to their personal perks, the message is, “Don’t touch.”

It’s time to work together to get our country, state and counties back on track. If some are asked to sacrifice, why not all?