State by state, we need referendums to eliminate the elected Reps healthcare and pensions

[Meldread]

12. You are highlighting the exact problem with it.

They need to be provided with the same opportunity to die on the basis of their financial status as the people they represent.

That's exactly the problem I am pointing out: they won't have the same opportunity. This only impacts those who are not wealthy, and politics already heavily favors those who are personally wealthy. This is why virtually all of the members of Congress are already personally rich. Taking away benefits does not hurt them because they did not need those benefits in the first place. It only harms people who are not wealthy and who are interested in becoming elected officials, meaning people who would be sympathetic to the very argument that you are making.