Americans need to question all our elected officials more closely. Don't forget all the perks: great medical coverage, free food, make the laws; and etc.... add to my list.

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-740761.html#740761
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Salaries and Benefits of U.S. Congress Members

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm

* From 1789 to 1815, members of Congress received only a per diem (daily payment) of $6.00 while in session. Members began receiving an annual salary in 1815, when they were paid $1,500 per year.
(TODAY EQUALS)
Congress: Leadership Members' Salary (110th Congress)
Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.
Senate Leadership
Majority Leader - $188,100
Minority Leader - $188,100

House Leadership
Speaker of the House - $217,400
Majority Leader - $188,100
Minority Leader - $188,100
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Now what are common Americans Citizens earnings comparison.
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Cost of Food Prices and Wages in the 1800's

http://oldrecipebook.com/1800s-livingcost.shtml
Think it was easier living during the Industrial Revolution? Here's some of the prices for food they were paying per week just to live.

1 bag of flour $1.80
Small measure of potatoes daily at .17 per day $1.19
1/4 lb of tea .38
1 qt milk .56
1 lb cheap coffee .35
Sugar 3 1/2 lb $1.05
1/2 ration meats per week $3.50
4 lb. butter $1.60
2 lb. lard .38
Dried apples for treats .25
Vegetables .50
Soap, starch, pepper, salt, vinegar, etc. $1.00
2 bushels of coal $1.36
Kerosene .30
Sundries .28
Rent $4.00 week

Total $18.50

The average wage earner only made $16.00 a week. Some trades only made two, three, four, or six dollars a week. This family spent $2.50 more a week than the father made, and had nothing left for entertainment or clothing. The men driving the horse drawn streetcars in New York in the 1880's made $1.75 a day working 14 to 16 hr. a day.
During the Industrial Revolution, even children were employed, and working 14 to 16 hours a day.
About $850 annual earning for American Citizens in 1800's. And today the annual wages makes under $10 per hour or less. So the average American is probably earning less than $25,000 annual.

What happened that the elected officials are receiving about 9 (nine) times more than the American Citizen making $25,000. Remember in 1800's the elected official only were getting double the Average Americans annual earnings of $850. In the 1800's the elected official were earning about $1580.

What ratios are they using to get 9X the earning of American Citizens?