This was revealed in a Seattle Times article on May 18 by columnist Leonard Pitts Jr., a syndicated columnist with the Miami Herald.  This statistic appeared in Forbes Magazine according to Pitts.  Also, U.S. CEO's make many times more, especially in comparison to other workers, than their counterparts in any other country.

Pitts explained that the U.S. president's salary is $400,000 a year while a member of Congress makes $169,300 per year.  Pitts added his own view of the salary difference,  "If that's the going rate, if that's what is earned by the best and the brightest, who can be shocked that paying a tiny fraction of that often saddles us with the dumb and dumbest?"

He quoted a letter written by former Congressman Randy Cunningham of California to a reporter whose work helped send him to jail for taking $2.4 million in bribes.  This letter had been earlier excerpted by Rolling Stone Magazine:

"Each time you print it hurts my family and now I have lost them Along with Everything I have worked for during my 64 years of life.  I am human not an Animal to keep whiping.  I made some decissions Ill be sorry for the rest of my life. ... As truth will come out and you will find out how liablest you have & will be."

It was a simple, straightforward, overdue message:

The truth is -- I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my high office. I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, and most importantly, the trust of my friends and family.  
Randy "Duke" Cunningham

 
So, finally, after running from charges, denying charges, hiding from his constituents and the press, canceling public appearances, and professing his innocence, "Duke" Cunningham finally admits defeat--and guilt.  That's going to make denial, destruction, and distraction difficult for Republicans--their usual arsenal after criticism of one of their own arises.

Break out the champagne: Uber-corrupt Republican Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham is expected to plead guilty today to charges stemming from his bribery scandal.