Yeah, it’s a barrier. Factoring in cost of living, getting elected to congress would be a significant pay drop for just about any middle class person (unless, of course, they were willing to accept the legally-grey ‘benefits’ that come from the position, like early info on stock market movement along with freedom from prosecution).

It’s just weird to watch Americans complain that “All our politicians are old retirees and lifers, rich assholes, or thoroughly corrupt! Why is that? I don’t get it! Also, why are they getting paid a halfway-decent middle class salary (before factoring in cost of living), we should be paying them minimum wage–if that!”

Like…duh, guys.

You’re right that upfront costs are a problem, but that’s a hard problem to solve. Also, in the age of crowdfunding, it’s a less significant problem than it’s ever been before.