Elected politicians used to be ordinary citizens, doing temporary service for our country. Today politicians are paid too much ($174,000 + housing allowance + healthcare + more), so they have no incentive to leave government employment and return to private employment.
Once in office, they automatically receive pay hikes, regardless of fidelity to voters (vs corporate funders).
Limit pay for elected politicians in the House and Senate to the MEDIAN pay for workers in the U.S., as defined by the US DOL. MEDIAN means half of US workers make more and half earn less than the median wages. This will encourage them to promote policies beneficial to workers and the economy.
Also, require elected politicians to actually prove they have housing in D.C. to receive the housing allowance.