> Politicians are in nearly direct control of their own pay. Or at least much closer to the source of decisions when it comes to deciding salaries.
That's only true of some politicians (e.g., politicians with a legislative role -- including in many cases chief executives -- where the pay of elected politicians isn't left, as it is in some states, to a separate compensation committee of non-politicians.)
One of the cool features of my home state is the Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials, a 17-member commission with ten of the members being selected randomly from the voter rolls, like jury duty.
That's only true of some politicians (e.g., politicians with a legislative role -- including in many cases chief executives -- where the pay of elected politicians isn't left, as it is in some states, to a separate compensation committee of non-politicians.)