A giant inflatable pig has been stationed near the Capitol in Harrisburg as part of a planned protest Monday over lawmakers' July 7 pay raise vote. The big pink pig makes for a nice photo op, but supporters favoring a massive voter effort to defeat incumbent lawmakers shouldn't allow the pay-raise movement to turn into a circus. The movement to restore accountability in Harrisburg is too important to become a joke.

Having a little fun and portraying self-serving state lawmakers as piggish is justified. But organizers and participants in the "Rock the Capitol" rally Monday afternoon must remember the crisis in Harrisburg is a serious challenge, with long odds of success.

In the July 7 pay-raise vote, lawmakers revealed much about their character and priorities. The vote was taken at 2 a.m. and was preceded by no advance public discussion or debate among lawmakers.

The pay-raise maneuver was timed so that lawmakers could leave Harrisburg immediately after the vote for their summer recess, thus avoiding having to deal with the predictable voter outrage.

To make matters worse, lawmakers then adopted a procedure using "unvouchered expenses" to start receiving the extra pay immediately - in clear violation of the state constitution which prohibits lawmakers from voting themselves a pay raise and requires that any increase in pay should not take effect until after the following election.

Lawmakers expected the usual howls of protest over their selfish $11,000 (or more) pay grab. Hoping to ensure that no legal challenge could derail their dubious pay hike plan, lawmakers linked their raise to higher pay for judges and other administration officials. Including a pay hike for judges in the plan was intended to protect lawmakers from a judge ruling against the pay-hike vote, because in doing so the judge would be taking away his or her own pay hike.

As the outrage over the pay raise grew, some critics assumed voters could circulate petitions demanding a repeal of the pay raise and put the issue on the ballot as a referendum. But, that path, too, is blocked. In Pennsylvania, only the state legislature can put a referendum on the ballot; the voters cannot.

And with re-election rates approaching 98 percent, Harrisburg pols are well protected and insulated from voters. The only option is to build momentum for massive voter turn out to defeat as many incumbents as possible, with special emphasis on targeting the leadership of both parties.

Voter outrage, Harrisburg protests and threats to "throw the bums out" are not enough. A serious, grassroots movement is needed to identify and support challengers in every legislative district. And with the next election arriving in November 2006, it is not too soon to start building a solid slate of serious and capable challengers.

This path, also, could be blocked by the powers-that-be in Harrisburg. It is quite possible that party leadership will make it known, from Harrisburg on down to the county party organizations, that no party effort or resources will be employed to aid any challengers. Despite the fact that both parties could see opportunities for gains, it is possible that an unspoken agreement favoring the status quo - and no reform-minded lawmakers - will prevail.

Without a solid slate of challengers, incumbents will have little to fear. Even if voter apathy can be overcome, a "clean sweep" drive or itentions to "throw the bums out" aren't workable without well-financed, viable challengers on the ballot and legions of supporters in the streets.

The growing movement for real change in Harrisburg is important and serious, but it will require lots of hard work on the part of many people. Inflatable pigs and organized protests might be fun, but voters must not forget that this crisis of legislative arrogance and defiance in Harrisburg is serious.

The anti-incumbent movement must avoid becoming a circus at the same time it works to build strength and support among voters.

- J.L.W.III