I received my annual pay raise form the other day. It asked if I wanted my annual pay increase. I wrote back, “No!”

Had I just quietly signed it and turned it back into the comptroller, I would have increased my paycheck to $4,182 a month — not counting the extra money I get from Legislature.

That’s over $50,000 a year for a part-time job.

Why would I turn down money like that? It’s because it was stolen.

The money is part of the 62 percent pay raise the Legislature stole from the people of Alabama two years ago.

It was a voice vote scheme cooked up by Democrats in the Senate and the House. It was very convenient. It was very slick. It was daring.

Democrats, working together with the presiding Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, worked a fast-talking quick pay raise proposal, called for a quick voice vote and got Lt. Governor Folsom to gavel it as a done deal.

In two minutes, they had stolen millions from the Alabama people. No referendum. No input.

The crime was done. The heist had been pulled off. The deal was sealed.

“The people will fuss for a few weeks, but they’ll forget it,” said the leaders of the body.

“They will re-elect you. Just keep quiet,” they said.

When I refused to participate, they called me crazy.

“You’re turning down $75,000 over principles? You’re a fool,” they said.

My response was, “I don’t care how much money it is. If the people did not give permission, it’s stealing.”

It’s been two years now since the pickpocket incident. I wonder what the people will do?

The pressure is on the voters. The 2010 elections are approaching.

The question is, “Will the voters throw these rascals out or give them a free pass?”

The Legislature is betting the voters will forgive and forget. Then they will laugh all the way to the bank.