While surfing news stations a moment ago, there was a question on Fox News by a viewer that makes me wonder: When public office holders like Senators, Representatives, Governors, etc. run for an office -- in this case United States President -- should we the public deduct the time/money they "earn" while campaigning. Since they spend as much as 80% of their time away from doing what they were elected or appointed to do, should they be compensated by the federal or state governments? For example, when the President uses Air Force One on the campaign trail, he must reimburse the government pro rata for it. Although there are a lot of loopholes to get around this, it nevertheless is the law. If an employee leaves a job to do something else, perhaps on a leave of absence, it is rare that he/she gets paid during the time away. So -- should we be allowing public officials to be rewarded for winning one office so they can use it (timewise) to springboard to another?
