Why, in this era of budget tightening and economical problems, do Congressmen (and women) and other politicians get to keep their salary and benefits for life?

Politicians everywhere are looking to tighten up budgets and save money, and we hear constantly about public employees’ pensions costing so much, health care costing so much, local municipalities threatening to lay off people, corporations making so much profit and so many people are out of work, and other gloomy stories. Yet Congressmen (and women) and some other politicians get to keep their salaries and benefits for life. Does this seem fair to you?

What job can you get where you work for four years and get to keep that salary and full benefits for life? (I imagine this includes Weiner and others who resigned before him).