WinLoseorDraw received an internet snippet from his brother-in-law. It was a snapshot entitled “Did you Know?” It said that senators and representatives were originally paid only a per diem. The article went on to speculate that the Founding Fathers wanted to prevent congress men and women from having the power to vote themselves pay raises.

Further research shows that from 1789 to 1815 senators were paid a per diem of six dollars. Today they make $174,000 dollars a year. That’s just the baseline for all the perks that come a congressperson’s way.

Proposed: Make the Congressional salary one dollar per year.

Proposed: Elimate lobbying and influence peddling in government.

Proposed: Stop sending popularity contest winners to Congress. Instead, send people who have demonstrated civic mindedness, people who will remember how to serve the public interests.