As of November 2011, more than half our "public servants" were millionaires, many becoming so strictly due to their congressional salaries & perks.
They set their own salaries, which are currently between $174,000-$223,500 annually ($285,000+ with benefits).They also voted themselves an automatic annual 2.2% "cost of living" increase ($3,800-$4,900 each, per year) & their benefits are alone are worth nearly twice the average American household income of $51,400.
They have run our debt & deficit into the trillions but are in the top 5% of highest paid "workers" in the country & in the top 1% in net worth.
All of this for working 130-180 days per year. PLEASE cut the debt/deficit by returning to the original per-diem-while-in-session pay!