While the boss is away taxpayers shouldn't pay

Would your employer continue paying your salary if you were absent from your job to pursue a more lucrative and influential position? Of course not, you'd be very fortunate not getting fired. But the U.S. taxpayer has been doing that for years. It's time the practice stopped.

We're referring, of course, to the Presidential race, where three seated U.S. Senators; Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain (plus other candidates who have previously dropped out of the contest) have been campaigning full time, while still collecting their salaries.

The candidates might argue they are staying in contact with their staffs, even returning to the Capitol for important votes. But, they'd also have to admit, that when this occurs, it is only a small percentage of the time; admitting their time and energy are focused on campaign matters.

Somewhat to his credit Obama recently admitted he wasn't doing his job. As chairman of an important Congressional sub-committee, he has not held a single committee meeting since being appointed to the position in January, 2007. He explained, "that's the same time I started my campaign."

Besides banking unearned salaries, these candidates also accept and use other significant benefits, including top-notch health care. This is the same health care they are pledging to provide all Americans, if elected to office... a pledge which commons sense tells us would bankrupt the country in a short time because few could afford their level of coverage and neither can the federal budget, which is already struggling with the enormous cost of Medicare and Social Security.

We should require any elected official running for public office - even if it's for the position they currently hold - to take an unpaid leave of absence, including a suspension of benefits (unless they agree to cover these out of their own pockets).

We are not suggesting a suspension of their staffs' salaries and benefits. The staffs are still at their posts, conducting their primary responsibilities, which include assisting home district constituents who are asking for help.

However, while their boss is away, we shouldn't pay.