IRKED: Seven out of 10 Americans say members of Congress are paid too much

OPINION:

Americans continue to be irked with Congress. A mere 9 percent of likely voters say incumbents should be re-elected in the 2014 midterms according to a new Rasmussen Poll. Positive approval ratings for lawmakers linger at about 12 percent says Gallup, which continually tracks such things.

And naturally, voters also think these elected officials do not deserve the pay they receive for their efforts.

Seven out of 10 Americans say members of Congress are “paid too much,” this according to a new YouGov survey of 1,000 respondents. This is one thing that the parties almost agree on: 67 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of independents agree.

And some more numbers:

16 percent overall say members of Congress are paid “the right amount”; 24 percent of Republicans, 17 percent of Democrats and 11 percent of independents agree.

59 percent say a person can maintain a residence in Washington, DC and another city - as lawmakers do - for $174,000 a year, which is their annual salary.

60 percent of Republicans, 60 percent of Democrats and 57 percent of independents agree with this.

Voters are not quite as critical of President Obama’s salary.

Another 38 percent say “the president” is paid too much; 46 percent of Republicans, 27 percent of Democrats and 43 percent of independents agree

39 percent say he is paid the right amount; 40 percent of Republicans, 41 percent of Democrats and 36 percent of independents agree.

Source: A YouGov poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted April 4-6.