Not all of them are.
But they do tend to reward themselves for doing a VERY thankless job which makes them an easy target of the taxpayer's wrath.
If a gold plated pension plan is what you are after, run for government. You can start low, in your neighborhood, and take it from there.
What? You'd rather spend your time fishing?
Don't complain then about politicians being a bunch of crooks.
No...he was right, remember when the reform party were telling everyone they were going to opt out of the gold plated pension plan if elected.
That sure didn't last when they all got into office, nope, I don't think you'll ever see any of this current group of trough suckers, opt out of anything that benefits them.
You are right though, it is a rather thankless job, but it is called public service for a reason, with an emphasis on service. Long gone are the days, if they ever really existed, of a man willing to make a personal sacrifice(read:financial) for the betterment of society. It would seem they are always just worried about what they would be making if they worked in the private sector. Well, guess what, much like buying a house next to a prison...you knew going in, and if you are not willing to personally sacrifice anything you saw fit to pass on to the taxpayer...then I would imagine it simply re enforces my belief that without personal strength and integrity, this job will turn you into a liar and hypocrite, and that is not the type of person I am intrested in running this great country.