CAROL PLATT LIEBAU: Time To End The Special Perks Of Politics.

It’s impossible for our elected representatives to “represent” us properly if they are living a life that’s insulated from many of the onerous laws or regulations they inflict on the rest of us — or, more generally, if they’re a special “protected class.”

Perhaps the apotheosis of this deplorable trend is the fact that, in 20 states, private lobbyists get public pensions. That’s right — through their taxes, citizens of those states are getting the dubious privilege of subsidizing the retirements of employees of private lobbying firms.

It’s time to stop this disgraceful boondoggle, along with all the other cushy little special favors that our elected officials have granted themselves . . . and their friends.

Indeed.