At a time of sweeping cuts across the public sector, the salaries paid to special advisers in Northern Ireland isn't just wrong – it's offensive.
We now spend £2 million a year of tax-payers' money on our political parties favourite guys and girls while frontline services are slashed.
Those who are life savers for the elderly, sick, and vulnerable are being told to accept job losses and pay freezes while Stormont Spads receive pay hikes.
"The infrastructure of squander," TUV leader Jim Allister called it. Even his sternest critics, among grassroots unionists and republicans, found themselves nodding in agreement at that.
Why do we need an army of aides for our politicians that Scotland and Wales don't? Surely it couldn't that their elected representatives require less assistance because they're smarter?
Scotland, with a population of 5.3 million, has 13 Spads. Wales, with a population of 3.1 million, has eight Spads. Northern Ireland, with a population of 1.8 million has 19 Spads.
Most are appointed by the DUP and Sinn Féin. That neither party has chosen to curb their excesses, in an era of savage public sector, cuts speaks volumes. Arrogance triumphs over accountability and humility.
Not even Stormont's staunchest supporters could say it's a world leader in terms of the politics played out here. But we do break records when it comes to Spad salaries.
There are DUP advisers earning almost £92,000 and Sinn Féin aides earning up to £88,000. Let's put this in context. A Spad in Teresa May's far more onerous Home Office, and based in a city with a substantially higher cost of living than Belfast, earns a maximum of £74,000.
And what an insult the DUP delivered to Councillor Jenny Palmer last week by promoting Spad Stephen Brimstone who was at the centre of the Red Sky controversy.
Jenny is that rarity in any political party here – someone prepared to raise their head above the parapet and do the right thing regardless of the cost to their own career.
Not only has she not received the apology she was promised but the party is taking disciplinary action against her.
Next time you hear any DUP head honcho deny that the party is a cold house for women, or boasting of the strong females thriving in its ranks, remember the name 'Jenny Palmer'.
