Mexico City Mayor Pledges to Cut Presidential Salary in Half if Elected

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBXW2H179E.html

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the presidential front-runner, pledged Thursday that he would cut the presidential salary by half if elected and eliminate pensions given to former presidents.

The pledge by the leftist mayor came days after he said he would not live in the park-like presidential residence known as Los Pinos, but rather in the more historic National Palace located at the crowded, chaotic heart of Mexico City.

"I will earn half as much" as President Vicente Fox, Lopez Obrador told reporters early Thursday. He estimated that would still leave him a salary of about 75,000 pesos (US$6,800, euro5,350) per month, or around US$80,000 per year.

That would imply a tumbling of salaries throughout the federal government due to policies mandating that nobody can earn more than the president.

[Horse with no Name]

1. Why is it so hard to understand

How hypocritical it is to pay big bucks with big bene's to the President and members of Congress when the country is broke?
Obrador will probably be assassinated. I applaud his vision though.

[NNN0LHI]

2. I agree he will never live long enough to be elected. Its a damn shame n/t

[Ken Burch]

5. I hope you're wrong about the assassaination part

We don't need a verse that goes "Anybody here seen my old friend Andres."

[Dora]

3. Well, I'll hope that he survives and wins. n/t

[Adelante]

4. He could win, if he lives

He is extremely popular in different parts of the country, not just Mexico City. $80,000 is still an enormous salary in Mexico, and he is right, former presidents have made such fortunes in office, the last thing they need are pensions.

[Zorra]

6. I really hope this guy is for real. n/t