To the Editor:

I enjoyed Sen. Jim Webb’s column article in The Tidewater News titled “Fairness at home, wisdom abroad, oversight in D.C.”

Conspicuously absent, however, was any mention of the automatic pay raises that legislators have granted themselves — with no public scrutiny or debate and in what seems to us like “secret.”

Sen. Webb, did you make a motion to reject this most recent pay raise for you and your fellow senators in light of the terrible economy, increased unemployment and massive federal (taxpayer) debt?

I have queried U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes on the same issue and have received no reply.

I ask you, is this an example of what you call “honesty and openess in government” and “tackling issues that are not politically popular”?

I eagerly await a response from you.

Ash Cutchin

Courtland