We are supposed to have a government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people. We must demand that Congress actually represent their constituents instead of special interest lobbyists. The American middle class is the largest socioeconomic group in the country. The best way to help Congress recognize the needs of this group is to make them part of it.
According to the 2005 US Census, the median income of US households was approximately $52K adjusted for inflation. Reducing congressional pay to $55K and benefits to $45K would save the taxpayers close to $1B each year. Only a member of Congress would argue that $1B is not a lot of money.
Some may say that you only get what you pay for. On the other hand, we the people should only have to pay for what we have been getting.