TO THE EDITOR:

If your workplace ran like Congress, it would be out of business and you’d be fired/prosecuted. Congress earns $174,000+ a year, receive 72% taxpayer-subsidized health insurance, qualify for pensions after JUST 5 years (on top of SS), and spend only 170–173 days in session, while most Americans work 250+ days. That’s before free “gov” travel (including international), parking, subsidized gyms, and taxpayer-funded office staffs costing millions.From 1997–2018, Congress paid $17.6 million from a special Treasury settlement fund to resolve Capitol Hill workplace disputes, including sexual harassment. Taxpayers pay. Details stay sealed. In the 2024 cycle, Tom Emmer raised over $8.1 million, just 6.1% from small donors, with the rest coming from PACs, AIPAC-aligned groups, and large contributors on top of his taxpayer-funded salary and $1.3M+ office budget. We see every day that Congress votes in the interest of their financiers, not the people. Our government is riddled with fraud, pedophiles, and rapists. We must unite to clean house! Congress points fingers, We the People pay the price. They still get paid even during shutdowns they’re supposed to prevent. STOP pointing fingers! Every side is guilty! Education, scrutiny, diverse media, and voting are needed. We the People deserve better but we must take action and demand it.

Vanessa Davenport

Big Lake, MN