Pay for Performance in the US Congress

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/2012MilPay/a/2012-Military-Base-Pay.htm
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm
On Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2012, President Obama said in his State of the Union address (SOTU):


"Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought -- and several thousand gave their lives."


When President Obama spoke before the nation and a joint committee of the Congress, he addressed a group of lawmakers who have total control over America's military budget.  Using his bully pulpit, President Obama used the speech as an opportunity to extol the value of the American military. 


American military personnel are comprised of a diverse group of well educated people who succeed because they study how to practice teamwork.  In fact, the American military deserves credit for making out nation safe from acts of foreign terrorism attacks.   US Navy Seals, of course, appropriately assassinated Osama Bin Laden, the perpetrator of the September 11 attacks on New York City.


But how do we value the military? They are paid far less than members of the US Congress, who oversee their compensation.

Of course, the point being, when it comes to what tax payers value in productivity, desirable outcomes and quality of services provided, the US Congress appears to be well paid to obstruct progress, while the American military is under-valued.  Check the two links above to see the differences in pay - US Congress averages about $174,000 salary per person without counting the perks and expenses related to maintaining federal and state constituent services.  American military pay is graded by ranks and rates, but even admirals and generals do not receive the average base pay of a US Congressman.

Americans are justifiably proud of our military.  Inversely, we are overwhelmingly disgusted with our US Congress for their inability to lead with statesmanship and leadership behaviors.  

I submit we pay our military and the Congress according to what each body is worth, in sort of a "pay for performance" model.  In other words, if a Congressman wants to earn a $174,000 annual salary, the outcomes of his or her performance in Washington DC must meet the criteria of working for outcomes consistent with the teamwork studied and practiced by the US military.  

More to the point,  for the hand full of Congress people who hold up legislation impeding economic incentives for Americans, just because they can, then we, as the ultimate payers of their salaries, should demand a refund of our money.