When is our government going to stop treating the American people like they exist only for the purpose of giving them (our leaders) obscene benefits. This country is mired down in so much greed and corruption that it is no longer "the land of the free, the home of the brave". The basic freedoms granted by our Constitution should allow the individual to decide whether he wants Union representation or not. People should be aware of what the leaders are doing at all time, which includes their compensation and benefits as well. There can be no trust nor patriotism without the assurance that it will be treated honestly and fairly. I, for one, am losing hope that we can find leaders, both in government and in private enterprise that will do what is best for this country and its citizens. I fear only a catastrophe, whether created by man or by God, will bring this country back to its original greatness.