Although the notion of working for practically nothing seems near ridiculous for most Americans, according to many news reports, Presidential Candidate John McCain may ask Cabinet members to work for $1 per year if he is elected.
John McCain has vowed to hand pick the “best and brightest people” from both political parties to create the next United States Cabinet to advise and assist him in his duties if he is elected President. Historically speaking, many of the individuals who are typically appointed to this small group of trusted advisors are recognized as world class experts in their field and have achieved significant professional advancement in either the business world or as an elected official.
If these individuals are already financially well-off, many would not be taking a position within the Cabinet for the money. The gesture for a $1 annual salary by McCain is clearly symbolic, and is intended to demonstrate that his future administration is more focused on serving their country, rather than being financially compensated for their efforts.
Many Americans share similar views on compensation in their job, although maybe not to the same extreme as McCain. A recent poll conducted by Beyond.com found that more than 50% of professionals do not consider salary the most important factor when deciding to take a job, and rank benefits, commute time and career advancement among some of the most important job attributes.
While it is not likely that we will see many other Americans accepting a job offer for $1 a year, I think it is an interesting approach by McCain and has certainly gained him some publicity as a result, both positive and negative. What are your thoughts on McCain’s $1 salary plan for the Cabinet?
