>>>>>I don't think that it has anything to with ethics.
>>>>>Private industry pays a lot more and, like it or not, money is a key motivator.
>>>>>
>>>>>Since when?
>>>>>
>>>>>President: $400,000 includes a $50,000 expense allowance.
>>>>>Vice President: $237,700
>>>>>Rank and file senators and representatives: $174,000
>>>>>House and senate minority and majority leaders: $193,400
>>>>>
>>>>>I'd say that those are pretty hefty salaries.
>>>>
>>>>I think they are hefty salaries also, But I think the pale in comparison to what is available in private industry.
>>>
>>>..and that's usually the case. Same job in private sector pays more than same job in government sector. What I myself has seen as that since this is the case, you end up with some not-so-good employees. I had a contract with the state of Kansas once and I had to attend some weekly or two times per week meetings with these knuckleheads that were the I.T. folks that were employees of the state. These people were all very nice - but they were also the most lazy worthless bunch of people I've ever worked with. I could tell you a few stories but when I think about it my blood boils, so I won't.
>>
>>I worked for two years for Florida Dept of Revenue. My experience was very different. One of the trade-offs between the state and private industry was that the generally lower salary meant that you had a life that did not revolve around work. The workday was 8 to 5 and overtime was generally not authorized. Stay away from the exit doors at 5 - you could get crushed. But while at work we tended to work hard and we tended to work effectively.
>
>
>But those salaries are for life.

Assuming you're talking about the ones for elected officials, it's not that simple:

http://www.factcheck.org/2015/01/congressional-pensions-update/

Here's one excerpt:

CRS, June 13: Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

As for POTUS, from http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/pensionFARQ.html:

The retirement benefits received by former Presidents include a pension, Secret Service protection, and reimbursements for staff, travel, mail, and office expenses. The Presidential pension is not a fixed amount, rather it matches the current salary of Cabinet members (or Executive Level I personnel), which is $191,300/year as of March, 2008

Tamar