Editor, Times-Union: Each day, it seems, we hear of a new reason why members of the House and Senate in Washington are not like us. In a number of instances they free themselves from obeying laws that we must follow. Insider trading comes to mind. Also, health care.
Who else is able to set their own salary and benefits, raise their own pay, and ignore per diem rules?
How about an amendment that requires all members of Congress to be subject to the same laws as any other citizen?
As to the issue of salary and benefits, consider the following. Given that Senators are elected to represent their state and House members are elected by citizens of their district, why are the states and districts not in charge of determining, and paying for a member’s overall compensation and expenses? If such an amendment were passed, I’ll bet our Senators and Representatives would pay a lot more attention to us.
There is no reason that pay need be the same for all. Oh, and if we were also to eliminate their pensions, career politicians would be a thing of the past.
