The Patriot Amendment (PTA)
Many of you are familiar with the reference to Amendment 28, which was, while fictitious, did contain a few worthwhile provisions. Since the legislature will never take corrective action it appears that the amendment process is our only hope of repairing what ails our country, unless we can elect a non-partisan President.
Our ailment begins with the election process as it is now structured. We often hear that “we have the best representation that money can buy”. Elections are almost entirely dependent on financing and the amount required is outrageous. Outcomes are, in large measure, dependent on perception rather than reality or facts. If elected to congress your primary focus, almost immediately, is the next election.
I am firmly convinced that we could repair our broken system of governance by strenuously reducing the influence of both “special” interests and election funding. Along with reasonable term limits. Our founding fathers, in my opinion, did not envision career politicians.
I am officially proposing The Patriots’ Amendment to our constitution:
- No election campaigning, for a National position, can commence prior to 180 days prior to the date of the election.
- Political Lobbying is abolished. Violations will be subject to a minimum of $10 million in fines and termination of elected representatives’ term for any participation.
- Per campaign donations are limited to $500 per individual and $5,000 per company, trade and/or industry organization. If a company were to “bonus” their employees with the intent to make a directed campaign donation the company would be subject to a minimum $5 million in fines. These limitations also apply to direct donations to a political party.
- House and Senate terms would be limited to a combined total of 14 years.
- Retirement benefits would be limited to 1/40th of their high salary times the years of elected service.
- Change the house terms from 2 to 4 years with 50% of the positions up for election every 2 years (similar to Senate procedure) * Current representatives will be grandfathered to a certain extent, yet to be determined.
I realize there are several issues that could be included, like requiring all elected officials to play by the same rules as the voters, but I think we have a good chance of getting these issues addressed through a non-compromised legislature.