Our elected officials

Politicians should not be allowed to determine their paychecks, government of the people, for the people, BY the people. Politicians should have a probationary period just like the rest of America, just because they work in Washington does not make them any better than anybody else. They should also receive pay raises just like everyone else, determined on how well they perform their jobs according to that of the people. (If you think that's far-fetched, it's no more than what Ron Paul proposes). Politicians should also have to pay for their services, such as food, transportation, lodging, etc.