Have you ever wondered why so many people run for Congress? Getting into this exclusive club takes work, money and clearing other hurdles.

Adam Andrzejewski of Forbes magazine has these answers:

• Salary: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi makes $223,500, majority and minority leaders $193,400, and the president pro tem $193,400.

Members get by on $174,000. Politicians can be employed by federal contractors.

For example, Vanderbilt University paid Rep. Jim Cooper, $250,000 in 13 years and the

Members get by on $174,000. university received $2.6 billion from Washington.

• Pensions: Members qualify for a pension plus Social Security. They vest in taxpayer-paid pensions after 5 years and can receive a pension at age 50.

For each year of service, a member’s annual pension increases by about $2,000.

Federal pensions are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Taxpayers pay but can’t see who receives how much.

Ethics laws are so weak that no member ever lost a pension due to a corruption conviction.

• Worker compensation: For job related injuries, members are covered by Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance.

Jesse Jackson Jr,. D-IL, whose father was a South Carolina native, received $138,400 for a bipolar disorder and depression. He argued that Congress made him mentally ill.

Rep. Jackson was convicted of spending about $750,000 in campaign donations for illegal vacations and other items.

• Travel: In 1 year, the House spent $4.3 million on travel.

Congressional pins get them around airport and other security lines. Their license plates allow free illegal parking and 72% subsidized health insurance.

Congress exempted itself from the Freedom of Information Act, investigators’ subpoenas, protections against retaliation for whistle blowers and other laws.

Our thanks to reader John White whose letter is below.

We welcome your thoughts. Please email them to JerryBellune at yahoo.com

You pay House Speaker Nancy Pelosi $223,500 a year for what she’s doing.