Originally Posted by Fire

Perhaps we should go back to the old days when it was really "public service" and not self enrichment. You sacrificed to go into government, you received no pay check, no health insurance, no benefits, no pension, no bribes, and you actually had to neglect your previous business or profession for a while. It was truly a sacrifice and public service. Much different than todays self enrichment scheme where you can enter politics on a local level earning 25K a year and leave the US Congress or Senate a multi millionaire less than 15 years later!