All politicians, appointees and their staff must travel by regularly scheduled commercial traffic with the exception of the president, who may travel by his own chartered craft. I know, I know, I shouldn't make an exception, but I honestly think the Secret Service needs a break every once in a while, and having their own plane will make them happy.
All politicians, appointees and their staff must travel on the ground in their own private vehicles. If away from Washington or their home state, they may rent vehicles at their own expense. The president can keep the armored limo.
No politician, appointee or staff member to either may receive any retirement benefits beyond the same social security benefits that the average worker receives. They must make the same contributions as anyone else, and the federal government can waive paying the matching amount, as it seems silly to pay itself.
All politicians, appointees and their staff may continue to receive health care at any federally funded hospital, clinic or doctor's office up until they leave office; they may qualify for Medicare upon reaching the appropriate retirement age, and may buy their own private insurance.
No politician, appointee or staff member may receive unemployment benefits. Travel expenses shall be limited to exactly what the IRS permits in the way of deductions for all Americans, and politicians may only receive a per diem to stay away from Washington DC. (Yeah, I know, but it's far cheaper to pay them to stay away from DC than it is for them to continue blowing billions upon billions on pork projects.)
Every elected official and political appointee will be limited to a budget not to exceed budgets that were in place in the year 2000. That number shall be changed if crap on trade legislation is passed, going the same distance backwards as they set emissions standards.
Furniture budgets for offices of politicians, appointees and staff shall be no more than $5,000 per year. States are welcome and encouraged to use private companies in their state to outfit congressional offices to reflect the style and flavor of home at their own expense. Anyone who complains about it shall be handed an Ikea catalog with prices highlighted for their convenience along with a 99 cent calculator to keep track of expenses. Campaigns can pay for their own computers.
AMEN!!!!