Money, Congress, Corruption

The fora.tv presentation on money, Congress, and corruption got Common Sense wondering, what's the relationship between Congressional salaries and campaign contributions?  So here are the facts:

• Number of Congressional representatives: 535
• Congressional salary: $174,000.  Total benefits include insurance, retirement, and other perks that significantly increase actual equivalent compensation.
• Total direct salary cost of congress: $93,090,000/year
• Total House/Senate cost (actual FY 2011): $2,266,000,000
• Campaign contributions by interest groups (7/09 - 6/11 reported only): $813,402,892

So in two years Congress makes about $180 million and accepts $813 million, 4.37 times their direct compensation!  Now a campaign contribution is not the same as money in your pocket but given Congressional propensity for re-election Common Sense is not surprised that Congress is all to willing to put special interest ahead of the people's interest.  After all special interest are worth over 4 times what the voters are worth.  Clearly Congress is not beholding to their employers, the voters.  Perhaps its time for public funding of elections.  That's just common sense.