I honestly have a problem considering any politician a patriot if they accept the ridiculous amount of money and perks the government gives them.
Sure they might pave roads and yada yada yada, but the fact is the money wasted on these politicians wages is what is really holding this country back.
A real conscientious person would only take a reasonable wage which is easily calculable by looking at what other professionals in the private sector are making.
Every time I have to watch one of these politicians speak on the local news channel I want to barf. I only wish the Catholic Church would excommunicate all the dizque Catholic politicians in this country to prepare them for what's "next".