Untold millions go to provide benefits to many former government officials including former congressmen and presidents. In many instances these former public servants earn considerable stipends by becoming lobbyists, consultants, motivational speakers, etc. Once retired from public life, former public officials should have no more say in public matters than ordinary citizens. Accordingly, these former officials should eshew their public pensions while earning private sector compensation and remit payment to the federal government for the expenditures made on their behalf if they choose to make a living privately (for example, former presidents engaged in for-hire public speaking should reimburse the secret service for the cost of protection). Pension payments resume upon true retirement



