It’s Out of Control
It’s time to cut back on legislator perks. Individuals who choose to go into public service should not excessively benefit from their service. Although there’s nothing wrong in allowing individuals to receive “a fair pay for a fair day’s work,” it’s not appropriate for legislators to vote themselves increases, including pensions and healthcare plans that are unaffordable at this time.
Is it fair that legislators have perks that the rest of us are not eligible for? Absolutely not.
It’s time to put the Congress on par with industry. We need to conduct an immediate, detailed review of legislative perks and examine how they compare to industry. Some of the ideas that Warren Buffet and others have offered, including limiting pensions and curtailing legislative medical benefits, are among ideas that should receive consideration.
Here are four ideas for Congress that need to be implemented now:
- Eliminate exorbitant pensions – provide a portable contribution plan similar to what most Americans have.
- Eliminate the Congress’s healthcare plan – provide a plan on par with industry immediately.
- Eliminate the ability for Congress to vote itself benefits and pay increases – appoint industry-benefits experts to drive changes that are consistent with industry practices.
- Make it immediately illegal to use any inside information for financial gain – use the same standard applied to the rest of America.
A full assault on perks needs to be undertaken, starting with a major evaluation by independent third parties and finishing with a report to the American people. After all, the American people are the ones who ultimately pay for our legislative process.