I paid into Social Security when I was in Congress, and I saw the deductions from my paycheck to prove it. When I retire, I will get no fancy retirement (equal to my pay, no way!) just the same paltry check other people get relative to what they paid in.

I have health care from COBRA for 18 months like any other American who lost their job, then I’m on my own in the “market.”

I DO have to obey all laws that apply to other Americans, and did when in Congress, but I did not get the protection of the libel and slander laws. Anyone could and did say nasty, untrue things about me but I could not sue for libel because the law requires a higher standard for public officials: intent to defame, and reckless disregard for the truth.

When serving for four years, I was required by law to maintain my full time residence in my home state, but only allowed a total IRS deduction of $3000 per year for all living expenses in Washington DC. Try to find an apartment close enough to the Capitol to make a 15 minute vote, and you’ll see that’s gone in two months. That doesn’t count phone, food, transportation, utilities. The Capitol Police told me at any time at least 70 members of Congress are sleeping in their offices because they can’t afford an apartment near Capitol Hill. I was one of them for five months.

The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision decreed that corporations can spend unlimited millions of dollars to support or attack any candidate. Politics was already a rich person’s game, but now it’s even more so. If you want a change in your representation, you had better work and hope for a change in the Court. They have determined that money equals speech, and if things stay that way we’re all in trouble.

Margaret (Scotland)

Respectfully yours,
Grant Houston

I mean…if the rest of the country has to have pork and beans….
then why should the
“powers that be” have Filet Mignon and caviar?