Give Congress a financial reality check

I hear from many people that our senators and representatives in Congress are out of touch with the people who elected them. They are more concerned with voting along party lines.

It's time to make them true employees of the people they represent - us, the voting public. First, we take them off the federal payroll and put them on the state pay system. Tie their pay raises to the same cost-of-living increases our state employees get. Maximum pay should not exceed that of the governor. If they want health insurance, they get the same health plan that covers state employees. Do the same with their retirement. No eligibility for federal plans.

How about the high cost of living in the Washington area? The state could purchase two-bedroom condos for their use. The second bedroom could be used for visiting family or as a home office. When leaving office, they turn over the condo to the new office holder.

I believe this would eliminate professional politicians whose main objective is to be re-elected. Let Iowans vote on it.

Once other states see what we have done, I'm sure they would jump on the bandwagon.

John Nieland

Marion