October 25, 2010

A Sensible Approach to Help People Trust Their Congress

This has been making the rounds on the Web for some time now. I have received it at least a half dozen times.  These simple words resonate with millions of people because people are fed up with Congressional excess.

I know it's not this simple and passing 'a law' will not cure abuses of power and ego-driven politicians. However, it's a position statement deserving an answer from all sitting and aspiring Congressmen/women. They should be asked to defend or reject it and their reasons for their position.





Congressional Reform Act of 2010


          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 this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
          Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

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