Make government leadership affected by the decisions they make. Congress should be "OF the PEOPLE", meaning they get nothing in terms of continuing benefits the rest of USGOV doesn't get.
a) Eliminate retirement and put them into a 401k plan or TSP that gets large payments each year, but isn't meant to be a lifetime retirement. (effect=reduced costs)
b) Tie them to the GG pay charts, not their special congress pay. When they freeze pay and retirement growth for USG, it freezes for them too as a result of joining the GG charts. (effect=reduced costs)
c) Medical benefits expire when they leave office, but in office they receive the same medical plan the GG government receives.(effect=reduced costs)
Current congressional benefits that are completely unaffected by the decisions the congress makes for the rest of the government have to end. (effect=better government leadership decisions b/c they put their personal skin into the game)
