One More Idea For Our Fine Congress

[Travlur]

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.

 

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.

 

This is one idea that really should be passed around.

 

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

 

1. Term Limits.

12 years only, one of the possible options below.

A. Two Six-year Senate terms

B. Six Two-year House terms

C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

 

2. No Tenure / No Pension.

 

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

 

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

 

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.

 

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

 

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

 

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

 

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

 

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.

 

The American people did not make the current contract with members of Congress. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

 

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

 

MUCH OF WHAT WE FACE IN TERMS OF PRIVILEGE AND SELFISHNESS IN THIS COUNTRY MIGHT BEST BE CHANGED STARTING FROM THE TOP DOWN.

[secinv]

I am favor of the majority of what was listed, except for term limits. Term limits is the Constitution, we vote them in or out. Our choice. Be a politician, a two year liberal (one term) or multi year liberal, still an anti american politician. The same goes for these evil neo cons. We must vote in Constitutionally minded persons for all public offices.

[ejburroughs]

I am favor of the majority of what was listed, except for term limits. Term limits is the Constitution, we vote them in or out. Our choice. Be a politician, a two year liberal (one term) or multi year liberal, still an anti american politician. The same goes for these evil neo cons. We must vote in Constitutionally minded persons for all public offices.

 

I could not agree more, but one of the problems is that stupid people are allowed to vote, they vote for people based on things like their skin color, or "I wanted to be apart of something historical" ( a quote from my other wise very intelligent son! ), I think it should be law that someone can not make a promise in their campaign that is impossible to keep, additionally, any promise made should be a legally binding contract that can only be nullified if agreed upon by all those involved (i.e. it has to be put to a vote by the people! ) If caught lying, a cross section of the congressman's constituents should be allowed to weigh in on his fate! just my two cents.....rational or not.......

[secinv]

That is a very good idea.