George,

I write to express my outrage with our U.S. senator, George Felix Allen Jr.

He voted to give himself a $3,500 pay increase, but against raising the federal minimum wage from a paltry $5.15 an hour to $7.25 over 18 months.

A millionaire, George Allen is the epitome of a hypocrite.

Some 153,000 Virginians earn $5.15 per hour. How can our senator, who supposedly represents a portion of these 153,000 citizens not vote to make these citizens lives better?

Is it because he wants to protect his corporate masters who donate money to his senatorial and presidential campaigns?

Is he trying to protect the small businesses in Virginia who howl that they will go out of business if they have to pay a decent wage?

Is it to kowtow to the Chamber of Commerce, notoriously Republican, to keep his Senate seat?

I’d really like to hear his explanation of just why he voted “no” to a minimum wage increase but voted “yes” to a raise for himself.

I’d say it’s time for a change in Washington. It’s not like Allen is a long-time incumbent. He’s been in office only six years.

Jim Webb’s time has come.

Jan Cornell (electronic mail July 11, 2006)