Noting that none of the living ex-presidents are poor, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, introduced a bill last year that would limit costs to a $200,000 pension, plus another $200,000 that ex-presidents could use at their discretion. And for every dollar that an ex-president earns in excess of $400,000, their annual allowance would be reduced by the same amount.
The government spent nearly $3.7 million on four former presidents in 2012. The most recent ex-president, Bush received approximately $1.3 million in 2012.
The average enlisted military member after 20 years of service will retire to a pension of approximately $2,200 a month, or approximately $26,400 a year.
Why are ex-presidents with 8 or less years of service receiving millions in their retirement but we are laying off others?