As silly as it sounds, plenty of lawyers and politicians have found themselves netted by some rarely-visited clause in the Constitution or a Statute, and all look a little sheepish when it happens.

This particular clause was to keep a politician from voting for a pay raise to an office and then getting appointed to the same office. In its own right it makes good sense, as it keeps the political/financial leapfrogging down. It's just so darned rare that such a circumstance comes up that it's easy to miss.

The "fix" is relatively simple legislatively (especially with a Democratic Congress), and just involves some slick timing and a pay cut.

And if only I was half as sharp as the good doctor gives me credit to be.....