US Senators make $174,000. To supplement that most send 50% of their days calling donors. Not enough to house their families in the wealthier and safer parts of DC. Writing books and giving speeches to the rich is most of the way they earn additional personal money, unless you count the corrupt ways they can earn more, which is the issue.

Selling stocks with inside information, receiving gifts and trips through round about means. Most of the businesses we want them to regulate think $1,000,000 is a rounding error. Purpusfully making our leaders dependent on the generosity of others promotes a sea of corruption.

Senators and house members should make at least $500,000 maybe $1,000,000 a year. We aren’t asking them to run a popsicle stand. The CEO of Walmart makes over $24 million a year. More than the whole 100 member US senate combined. Being cheap skates on politician’s salaries doesn’t improve the system, it just incentivizes more corruption.