For some legislators, the raise itself exceeds $32,000, more than many Pennsylvanians earn in an entire year. This despite the fact that our Commonwealth regularly ranks near the bottom of the heap for economic progress when compared with other states.

 

To say Pennsylvanians are upset is a gross understatement. Enraged is a more appropriate term. Some citizens even appear ready to take their proverbial pitchforks and torches, march on Harrisburg and chase lawmakers out of town.

 

Letters to the editor, calls to talk radio and online blogs statewide are dominated by this topic. Petition drives have been started. Lawsuits challenging the pay raise on constitutional grounds are being planned.

 

But vocalizing outrage only vents our anger. Petitions, when delivered to lawmakers, will likely be ignored. The outcomes of lawsuits are in serious doubt in light of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ralph Cappy’s public praise of the hike as an act of “courage.”

 

So what options remain for Pennsylvanians? There is only one: fire the legislature. Fire them all. Not two of them, not twenty, but every last member - and the sooner, the better.

 

But the incumbents have gerrymandered districts in their favor, you might say. They have tons of money, you could add. You only have one vote, you’re thinking. They are simply too powerful.

 

I beg to differ. Of 253 total seats in the General Assembly, 228 will be up for grabs in 2006. Your one vote, combined with those of thousands - if not millions - of furious Pennsylvanians, is the only useful tool in reversing this egregious decision.

 

Operation Clean Sweep was launched on July 18 as a springboard for local grassroots activity aimed at meeting this goal. We seek to unify Pennsylvanians - regardless of party affiliation - in this effort. We are actively recruiting qualified candidates - regardless of political ideology - to get their names on the ballot and make a stand against the entrenched career politicians in Harrisburg. We seek to give voters across the Commonwealth a legitimate chance to right this wrong.

 

Our candidates are pledging to repeal the pay raise, subject future legislative raises to voter approval and establish a ten-day “cooling off” period for all legislation. These patriotic Pennsylvanians have also agreed to cast all other political and ideological differences aside until these primary objectives are met.

 

Initial response to OCS has been tremendous. In just its first week, the website received nearly 140,000 hits from over 16,000 unique visitors. Over 700 Pennsylvanians have signed up to receive regular alerts by email. Over 200 others are participating in our online discussion group.

 

More than 40 citizens have expressed an interest in serving as local coordinators. We’ve heard from nearly 30 prospective candidates, and four have already signed our candidate declaration.

 

The “experts,” relying on anecdotal evidence from the mid-80’s and 1995, claim our goal is unachievable. The incumbents apparently agree. What they haven’t taken into account, however, is the power of the internet.

 

This one tool can serve as a “WMD” of sorts for voters across Pennsylvania in proving the experts and incumbents wrong. We can communicate with more people in a nanosecond than we could in a month of phone calls in 1995.

 

The OCS plan may seem simplistic in nature, but that is the beauty of it. It will not come without unified voter resolve, however. No one can wave a magic wand and make this happen. It will take some effort - and actual courage - on your part to make it reality.

 

The incumbents, due back in Harrisburg in September, will surely engage in efforts to “help” us forget. We must resist their overtures. We must remember the pay raise. We must unite and send them a clear message: we’re mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it anymore.

 

I urge you to join us by taking a few moments to read and understand our plan at www.pacleansweep.com. We're seeking founding fathers for a new Pennsylvania.