What is your perspective on the pay/benefits that the suits on Capitol Hill receive? Too much? Not enough?

Well they were never constitutionally authorized to give themselves a raise, a retirement, life time secret service protection, medical benefits, etc etc; however we trusted them and failed to purge them out before they figured out how to screw the taxpayers money and circumnavigate the constitution

Desertion is such a dispicable crime I do not believe that a few year in prison is enough. The loss of life, limb, and sanity suffered while doing the right thing will effect us and our families left behind forever, Just a slap on the wrist is hardly enough. I bet that he won't own a mirror for some time.

If you want more $$ run for office not for PT. And you get to keep your mil retired pay! Otherwise, people who do hard labor of any type--hands on equipment or boots on the ground--always seem to get paid less than most elected federal officials whether we are at McBurger or McAirForce. We'd be happy if Congress labored harder on our behalf or even were paid only when Congress was in session as we believe was originally intended. We seem to be fine within the military system that has a pay structure on a lower scale. That is, an E-7 has lower promo selection rates and lower pay than an 0-5, even when both people have college degrees. And an E-1, of course, makes far, far, less. It is the way of things in status and tenure system. Risking your life in a war zone is indeed far more dangerous than risking our lives in the beltway, except perhaps, at rush hour. Higher pay for risk and responsibility will never be enough. Whether in or out of uniform, is there not a point where we cannot and should not pay for patriotism?