I would instantly support any candidate who pushed for this as a law

[BayCityProgressive]

Our elected officials have NO IDEA what it is like to be a working class American. I would heap praises on any politician who pushed for a bill making all federal law makers pay and health benefits THE SAME as the average American. I bet if their health and benefits were the same, not only would it stop a lot of rich people from running, but I bet they would solve a lot of our problems a lot faster!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. It would have to go with public campaign financing, because

one of the reasons that there are so many rich people in Congress is that it costs money (either one's personal fortune or one's wealthy friends) to run for office.

[originalpckelly]

5. Actually, with the democratic methods of mass fundraising made possible by the internet...

I'd say to hell with campaign finance reform.

The real problem was always stupid asses paying attention to bullshit political ads in the first place, so we should focus on educating people to make sound decisions and not vote like dumb asses.

[Vexatious Ape]

2. And, take away their ability to vote themselves raises.

As they are in the habit of doing every freaking year.

[BayCityProgressive]

3. too bad American workers

can't vote pay raises for themselves. I guess that would be socialism.

[Vexatious Ape]

6. Not the "S" word.

[BayCityProgressive]

7. the funny thing is

the Right wing has called anyone centrist or liberal a socialist for so long, that i know many people who call themselves socialist now and don't even flinch. The right-wing may have actually POPULARIZED socialism LOL.

[Vexatious Ape]

9. Never thought of that.

What I have thought of however is: The fact that we need to smear the word CONSERVATIVE. Just like they turned "liberal" into a pejorative.
Osama bin Ladin the religious conservative. Tim McViegh, the conservative terrorist. Jack Abromoff the conservative lobbyist. Something like that.

[Connonym]

8. One of the reasons I love Sen. Russ Feingold

He refuses to accept any pay raises until after the next election. He's a helluva man.

[izzie]

4. I am with you on this.

--

[Cleita]

10. You are so right.

I don't remember who said it, but they said that if our pols had their gold plated medical benefits taken away from them, we would have single payer universal health insurance the next day.