Hey, Congress, let’s share the sacrifice

Is anybody else sick of political pandering? Politicians have been unproductive for almost three years and now ask for donations to their re-election. I check my email and am solicited for campaign donations. Democrat, Republican or Libertarian, it doesn’t make any difference. The government is at a standstill in the midst of looming debt. Maybe they just need some incentive, like the following. These suggestions would fall in line with the shared sacrifice idea Democrats espouse.

Start with political salaries. The average congressional salary is $175,000. The new salary should be reduced to $75,000, which would still be greater than what the average American earns. That would save $100,000 per congressman. The speaker of the House and Senate majority leader and the president would be included in salary reductions.

Next would include congressional retirement packages. There would be only a one-year retirement package for each term served. Two terms served would equal two years of retirement. Taxpayers should not be held hostage for paying these retirements “for life.” Since those serving in Congress have made fortunes from insider knowledge, they all should be subjected to a windfall profit tax of at least 75 percent.

Finally, Congress may not enact pay increases for themselves. All politicians would automatically participate in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid or in the new Obamacare health system — no exemptions/exceptions. Remember serving in Congress was never intended to be a full-time position.

Wayne Oras Sr.

Schaumburg