I really like the concept of "citizen legislation" -- the popular representation system in force in many U.S. States where state legislators are elected only for a couple of years (usually two) and are paid very symbolic amounts, usually for a part-time job that lasts from 3 to 6 months a year.

This automatically filters out all career mongers who get elected to line up their pockets. Who would get into politics if a deputy's annual salary is just a couple thousand dollars - or as in New Hampshire, only $100 (one hundred) a year? Why, only those idealists who take pleasure in serving the public of course.

A friend of mine once claimed that "in the United States people get rich first in order to get into politics later. In a lot of other countries people get into politics first in order to get rich later."

How many people would get into politics for only two years, working as politicians only 3 to 6 months a year, and still contribute astronomical amounts to the party coffers to get elected ... if they've made only $100 a year?

How could lobbyists influence such practically unpaid servants of the people who would be replaced by other idealist public servants within a year or two, just when lobbyists start to make inroads to the hearts and minds of the legislators by their time-tested methods?

The American founding fathers were very partial to this idea, which goes hand in hand with short terms and term-limits..

"In free governments, the rulers are the servants, and the people their superiors and sovereigns. For the former, therefore, to return among the latter [is] not to degrade but to promote them" said Benjamin Franklin.

John Adams was of the opinion that "elections, especially of representatives and counselors, should be annual ... These great men ... should be [chosen] once a year -- Like bubbles on the sea of matter bourne, they rise, they break, and to the sea return. This will teach them the great political virtues of humility, patience, and moderation, without which every man in power becomes a ravenous beast of prey."

Thomas Jefferson thought along the same lines: "To prevent every danger which might arise to American freedom from continuing too long in office, it is earnestly recommended that we set an obligation on the holder of that office to go out after a certain period."

U.S. Presidents who followed them cherished the same ideal of citizen legislators who served not for money, fame and a life-long tenure but for hard work and a short term, not for monetary gain but for the pleasure and pride of serving their fellow citizens well.

"There are perhaps few men who can for any great length of time enjoy office and power, without more or less being under the influence of feelings unfavorable to the faithful discharge of their public duties. Their integrity may be proof against improper considerations immediately addressed to themselves; but they are apt to acquire a habit of looking with indifference upon the public interest, and of tolerating conduct from which an unpracticed man would revolt" said Andrew Jackson.

Abraham Lincoln candidly admitted that "if our American society and United States government are overthrown, it will come from the voracious desire for office, this [desire] to live without toil, work, and labor ... from which I am not free myself."

Here are some of the states with citizen legislators that immediately comes to mind: Wyoming, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Virginia, Nevada, Idaho, Nebraska... I am sure there are others that can be added to this list.

Idaho Legislature is composed of 35 Senators and 70 Representatives elected for two-year terms. Legislative compensation is established by a Citizen Committee, subject to rejection by the full Legislature. Legislators receive $15,646 per year, plus expenses for housing during the session, and $1,700 for office expenses. The President Pro Tem and Speaker receive an additional $3,000 per year.

Nebraska is home to the only unicameral, nonpartisan citizen legislature in the United States. There are 49 members of the Nebraska Legislature, each legislator serving a district of roughly equal size. Legislators, called "senators" in Nebraska, are elected to four-year terms. The Unicameral is in session every year and meets only for 90 legislative days in odd-numbered years and 60 legislative days in even-numbered years. In Nebraska a candidate's political party is not listed on the election ballot. Since political parties are not officially represented within the Legislature, leaders are selected from all the members of the Legislature, regardless of party affiliation.

In Maine, the state legislators are paid $9,000 a year.

In New Hampshire, the state legislators are paid the symbolic amount of $100 (one hundred dollars) per year. The speaker of the House and the Senate president earn more ($125) but the legislators get mileage allowance.

That's something to think about.