The Important Issues & polarization (opinion) – con’t

53 b) The Important Issues & polarization (opinion) – con’t

Ok, so our representatives are not willing to address the major issues that face our country and they are the only group empowered to make changes. What can we do? One approach would be to through the bums out, but so far we have not been willing to do this through the voting process. In part, this is because we are not offered viable alternatives. I suppose we could consider a forced revolution and in fact you actually here more folks discussing this option. I tend to think we should explore any and all other options first.                                                                                             Most of us have heard a little bit the so called 28th Amendment, it has been around since 2009. Here is a brief summary of that idea. I say idea because that is all it is at this stage. It is not something that is being considered by the legislature: “Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States.”

Congressional Reform Act of 20111                                                                                                   . TERM LIMITS 1. 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 like each and every other American.                                                                                                                             5. CONGRESS WILL NO LONGER VOTE THEMSELVES a PAY RAISE Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 2.5%.                                                                                                 6. CONGRESS LOSES THEIR CURRENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Congress will participate in the same health care system as the American people.                                                                                                                                                          7. CONGRESS MUST EQUALLY ABIDE by ALL LAWS No special exemptions or treatment.                                                                                                                                                    8. ALL CONTRACTS WITH PAST AND PRESENT CONGRESSMEN ARE VOID Effective 1/1/12.

This idea is like the old joke, “what do you call 100 dead lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start”. I like the idea but it falls a bit short of my expectations.