You have to remember that the NMB is made up of people. People who have rational thoughts and form opinions similar to the general public.

Making $200k + a year puts us in the top 2% of earners in the entire country. Making $160k a year is a lot more reasonable to someone in the public, or on the NMB for that matter. I'd rather my income be quoted as the bare minimum that I can earn, rather than what I typically earn. Not because it is accurate, but because it doesn't raise the issue that we are overpaid.