Really? I'm the only one as of now that says nay? The ONLY one?
My gripe is that we want our lawmakers to be the best and brightest... Most of the people in such positions are talented lawyers and communicators who could make a lot more in private practice as it is. Cutting their pay would be an insult ($174k for Senators, hardly Rockafeller money); and while most of them are already wealthy before they assume office, it's hardly due to the salary they make therein...
My take anyway. :shrug:
No, I said nay too.
Why? Because that's really not a lot of money for what they do. Most people have no idea what being a member of Congress entails or how expensive it really is.
For instance...did you know that members of Congress are required BY THE CONSTITUTION to maintain an actual residence in their state or district? AND, they must have a place to live in Washington, DC, which is among the highest cost of living cities in America. The average rent is $1900 per month. Some of them bunk down in cooperative housing like the House on C Street, or share apartments because of the expense. Having two residences is not cheap.
Their work day isn't confined to the few hours the two Houses are session. Not by a long shot. They typically work 12-16 hour days, meeting with constituents (anybody who can pass through a metal detector can walk right into their office), attending briefings and committee meetings, doing research or meeting with staff members, crafting legislation, going to the ends of the earth to "see for themselves" and spending time raising funds for the next election or visiting with the folks back home. It's a grueling, tiring, exhausting schedule which most who think they are overpaid could not survive.
Moreover, they have the exact same benefit package as any other federal employee and must allocate money out of their salary for healthcare and retirement benefits, in addition to the same payroll taxes the rest of us have to deal with. That cuts down on their take home pay the same as it does for you, but their expenses most likely exceed yours.
Why do you think so many members of Congress are millionaires? It's because average Joe's, like us, can't afford to be a member.
Instead of a pay cut, I think they need a very substantial raise, enough so that normal folks can afford to run and still feed their families.
Anyway: Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution
hmmm.... Clear Channel, which owns 850 radio stations and Premiere Networks, which distributes Rush Limbaugh... and her husband is a Congresscritter.... 
