This post seems a bit parochial for HN but - an observation - US presidential candidates are never poor - I don't think they care about the salary you know.
Exactly; the 2008 Obama campaign spent $760M -- not an amount of money I expect Mr. Obama to make back in his lifetime. It's not about money made while in office.
Now, you try to change the pay of every member of CONGRESS to ~40K... Then maybe you would see some changes in the process. Many Congresspeople were successful in business before they were elected. You can bet they count every dollar that comes in, even if they don't count every one that goes out.
Actually I don't disagree with that either! I was just thinking "if we were going to do this to a branch, I think Legislative would have the biggest impact."
Now, you try to change the pay of every member of CONGRESS to ~40K... Then maybe you would see some changes in the process. Many Congresspeople were successful in business before they were elected. You can bet they count every dollar that comes in, even if they don't count every one that goes out.