And BTW: I really don't give a flying **** how much the elected officials make. Personally, I think they ought to be paid half of what they make, but I really don't care. Add up all their salaries and benefits, and it doesn't make a spit in the ocean compared to the Federal budget. What I don't understand are the MILLIONS of Federal employees and BILLIONS AND BILLIONS of money it takes to run the departments they "serve" under. Who the h*ll needs this much government?