The City-Assisted Evacuation Plan

I found this in "The Trumpet" and wanted to post it here in hopes that it might reach more people. The following is taken verbatim from page 4 in the September/October edition:

"The City-Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) is a program designed to help people who have no means of evacuating on their own. This may be due to financial need, unreliable or no transportation, of homelessness. If you feel you may be eligible for the CAEP, call the City's 311 hotline or (504) 658-4000 and answer the phone survey. If you are eligible for the CAEP, you will be notified via postcard and your information kept in a database for registration during evacuation."

Congressional pay (national and state levels)

I've been thinking about Congressional pay lately, and want to get your thoughts on this suggestion. Ignoring for a second the actual feasibility of this idea, what do you think about paying Congress the median income for the U.S. (or a particular state) instead of the $100,000 they currently make? I think this might produce an incentive to legislate in a way that will produce better fiscal benefits for most citizens (as opposed to say, major shareholders, etc.). I realize this would also mean that people running for Congress will likely be financially sound, but that's the case already. I'm thinking here of producing an institutionalized incentive structured into the pay scale in a way that will motivate Senators and Representatives to make and support policies that will better reflect the need of a majority of citizens, as opposed to say, major campaign donors. What are your thoughts?