It would be interesting to pay members of Congress the average US wage, with no perks. Let them suffer through the daily struggle that most of us experience. Then, when they leave office, they can get “back pay” that gives them the rest of the salary that Congressmen traditionally make. But they should be mostly paid on the back-end of the deal.
They would understand real Americans better.
They wouldn’t serve in office for 40 years. They’d get out quick and get real money.
Members of congress and their staff should be paid by the state they are representing.
The average wage in their district.