Andrew Stuttaford points out an example of what he mistakenly views as bad government--removing a law that requires legislators to show up to work in order to get paid. But actually, considering how much damage and thievery they engage in when they do show up, I actually like my proposal better.

I like your proposal too, Rand. I might suggest an augmentation whereby the doors of all legislative chambers be padlocked 364 days of the year, and open only on the 365th day to allow a largely symbolic sitting in order to assuage those who believe that the betterment of their lives can only come by way of government action.

It think each full week they are in session they should also be forced to choose to remove the lucrative benefits package from one of their fellow party members to partially pay for the disaster that their latest productivity will cost us.
Give me gridlock any time. They are at their most distructive when they all agree something needs to be done.

I see your point about paying Congresscritters to not do their jobs, but people would get too envious. I know I get envious when (for example) a highly-paid pro athlete gets his contract bought out--whenever I hear about a situation like that, I mutter to myself, "I wish someone would pay me $X million to not play baseball".

Besides, politics does attract nanny-state types. They'd probably pay to make new laws, "for the good of the people".