"I think we should pay them much more, if they made more $$$ they would have less incentive to take illegal money. "
I've always thought we should pay members on Congress something like $100,000 a month and then deduct $5000 every time they cast a vote.
A better idea is to pay them nothing, and give them $5000 every time they repeal a law. Passing a new law would cost them $10k.