What are we paying these guys? And WHY?!?

The economy is down, people are struggling to survive, and yet our elected officials are making money hand over fist.
Now to be fair, some members have in fact chosen to turn down increases in their pay, but the majority have not. And they continue, to this day, to increase their salary every year. As of 2009, the average "rank-and-file" members of the House and Senate make at least $174,000 a year. That does not include their per diem, and perks. Think about this. You are paying $174k + a year, to people who don't even represent your views. Every time they want to take a trip, it's coming out of your pocket.

What's the solution? Take the power away from them to do so. Give that power back to the people! After all, aren't we THEIR boss? And doesn't YOUR boss dictate if you get the raise or not? So why should this be any different?

Keep this in mind, if Benjamin Franklin had is way, elected government officials would have received NOTHING for their service to the country. And I am hard pressed not to agree with that theory. Government service, aside from the military, should be a volunteer, non payed position. Then maybe they would take there heads out of there asses, and start worrying about what's happening to the citizens, and stop thinking about that next easy pay day.

JPB