by Rich Sabatini

Created on: April 11, 2009   Last Updated: April 13, 2009

Got a problem with the high cost of living? Well then, just become a member of Congress.

To get elected to Congress these days, you should have a good head of hair, be able speak very emotionally on the stump, and have well-connected friends. Then bingo-you're probably in luck of landing one of the most 550 coveted jobs in the entire world.

But the real payoff isn't so much the job itself, it's the probability that you'll serve comfortably in a lifestyle of the rich and famous for the rest of your days- you'll have it made for life.

Don't think so? Well, try this for a wild and crazy hypothetical question: would you rather hit the state lottery, or win the next available congressional seat in your district? A lottery winner automatically has to pay 35% in taxes, and is besieged by unwanted publicity.

Often times, lottery winners end up worse off than before, especially if they overspent their millions after having retired prematurely.

Now compare to a newly-elected congressperson. They get paid six figure incomes, have few living expense, and "government-paid-everything" perks- right down to free shoe shines and haircuts. They travel worldwide. They have their own limousines, privately chartered flights, and pay few expenses other than a residence in DC.

Are you worried about retirement? Well again, just "become involved" and run for Congress.

Hardworking congressional members certainly don't have to worry about contributing to some 401K plan like us common folks. No sir! They can just feed from the congressional "pension honey-pot," kept full by the overtaxed American public. After 20 years, a member of Congress can retire with up to 80 percent of his/ her salary.

They really have it rough indeed.

New House members are entitled to a personnel allowance from which they may hire up to 18 full-time staff members. They receive official office expenses for travel and supplies. Senate office costs range from $2 million to $4 million PER Senator. So multiply that by 100. That equals a $300-400 million annual federal expense.

Worried about inflation? Well, fuh-getta about it. If you serve in Congress, your pay is automatically "pegged" to the increases of thousands of other high-ranking personnel in the federal government, including cabinet agency heads and federal judges.

We're all familiar with that coveted position- member of the congressional "Ways and Means Committee". And why is it so desirable? You can really call the money shots from this perch. Members of the House

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