How would you reform the CONGRESS ?

[ACDC]

We always talk about Presidents and How bad and good they are. In reality, there is little President can do as it's the Congress that makes the law. We can all agree we are all fed up of the way out congress works.

If we want real CHANGE ...we may need to Change the way Congress works. If we need to reform anything it has to be CONGRESS First.

So, if we were to reform our Congress how would you go about it.

Here are my suggestion.

1. Term Limits: US representatives: Maximum 4 terms not exceeding 8 years total.
US Senators : Maximum 2 terms, not exceeding 8 years total.

2. No Cadillac pensions without serving all his/her time. If he/she gets voted out no pension and Cadillac health plans.
3. No special privileges, They should buy insurance like us and/or partake in Medicare and all. Same with social security.

4. Maybe restrict access to lobbyist .


These are mine, what will yours be ????

[Sniffit]

I'm not an american but:

1. Longer terms, I believe that the short terms doesn't put premium on long term solutions.
2. Change the campaign finance laws, give each candidate the same budget (payed for by the federal government)
3. Reform the congressional districts, representing local interests does not promote countrywide solutions.
4. If you have local representation, have to communities pay for the congressman/woman's staff/salary

[Sniffit]

We always talk about Presidents and How bad and good they are. In reality, there is little President can do as it's the Congress that makes the law. We can all agree we are all fed up of the way out congress works.

If we want real CHANGE ...we may need to Change the way Congress works. If we need to reform anything it has to be CONGRESS First.

So, if we were to reform our Congress how would you go about it.

Here are my suggestion.

1. Term Limits: US representatives: Maximum 4 terms not exceeding 8 years total.
US Senators : Maximum 2 terms, not exceeding 8 years total.

2. No Cadillac pensions without serving all his/her time. If he/she gets voted out no pension and Cadillac health plans.
3. No special privileges, They should buy insurance like us and/or partake in Medicare and all. Same with social security.
4. Maybe restrict access to lobbyist .

Got a few questions, why would you impose term limits? What I am hinting at is, if someone is great at their job, why throw them out?

[Andrew Chalmers]

1. Term Limits: US representatives: Maximum 4 terms not exceeding 8 years total.
US Senators : Maximum 2 terms, not exceeding 8 years total.

I'm afraid we will get a rush of inexperienced people year after year after year? Writing/supporting bills that are even worse than the bills now.

It is like having a bunch of high school kids retake basic government every 2 years.

2. No Cadillac pensions without serving all his/her time. If he/she gets voted out no pension and Cadillac health plans.

Wouldn't that encourage corruption? If you vote against industry - they may never hire you as a sweet consultant. But if you give them your vote on something that's against the public interest - you have a private pension.

3. No special privileges, They should buy insurance like us and/or partake in Medicare and all. Same with social security.

Most people in America obtain insurance from their employers - would you ask members of Congress to be self-employed? Also participation in social security won't do much for Congress or anyone else for that matter - social security is a payroll tax. So on one hand we'll be asking members of Congress to "pay" into the system with their government paycheck - then ask the federal government to match the "employee's side."

4. Maybe restrict access to lobbyist .

How would you define a lobbyist? A lot of people like to bitch and moan about lobbyists.

But what's a lobbyist? Farmer Joe has a legitimate problem in rural Illinois - he asks to schedule meeting with a member of Congress and gets access. Is he a lobbyist? What if there are 20 Farmer Joes but they can't get all get access - so they hire a eloquent guy to speak for them?

The term Lobbyists are thrown around in modern times as if it is an inherent evil - like taxes, guns/gun control, or military spending - but we live in a representative democracy. If people can't get access or talk to their representatives to influence them - what's the point.

[HK in AK]

Eliminate press conferences.

[Rattfink]

No more lifetime pension for 4 years. 20 years combined or GTFO.
All laws passed by congress will apply equally to congress.
No pay raises without a balanced budget.
Same health plan as all federal employees.
All campaign funds will be reported. Campaign funds capped per individual. All donations made by individuals only.
2 weeks vacation in August, 2 in December. Will be present for all other votes, and cast a vote. no abstentions.

[Hellfish]

No more lifetime pension for 4 years. 20 years combined or GTFO.
All laws passed by congress will apply equally to congress.
No pay raises without a balanced budget.
Same health plan as all federal employees.
All campaign funds will be reported. Campaign funds capped per individual. All donations made by individuals only.
2 weeks vacation in August, 2 in December. Will be present for all other votes, and cast a vote. no abstentions.

I wouldn't object to that.

Unfortunately, they don't address the core problems of Congress, only the entitlements. Campaign finance reform is my big issue.

Also, Congress' vacations aren't necessarily vacations. It's not like they're all flying to Paris when they're not in DC - I believe most of the time is spent meeting with constituents back in their districts.

[Rattfink]

I wouldn't object to that.

Unfortunately, they don't address the core problems of Congress, only the entitlements. Campaign finance reform is my big issue.

Also, Congress' vacations aren't necessarily vacations. It's not like they're all flying to Paris when they're not in DC - I believe most of the time is spent meeting with constituents back in their districts.

I attempted to address campaign finance. What would you do differently?
As far as vacation, they can do anything they want but when there is a vote, they should damn well be there. They get payed to represent their constituents, not silence them.

[Hellfish]

I attempted to address campaign finance. What would you do differently?
As far as vacation, they can do anything they want but when there is a vote, they should damn well be there. They get payed to represent their constituents, not silence them.

Ah yeah, you did. Missed that. And you're right about the voting. They are there to represent.

[KoTeMoRe]

Now I did not knew that many Americans want to get rid of their Checks and Balances system. Who said we lost the Cold War?

Andrew: Going to admitt the Lobbying issue is a tough one and there is no easy solution.

[Spartan10k]

Now I did not knew that many Americans want to get rid of their Checks and Balances system. Who said we lost the Cold War?

What are you talking about?

[California Joe]

Sounds like Andrew is in Congress.

[Henry's Fork]

10 to life in Club Fed for all the douchebags currently in office.

And basically what Ratt said about the newbies.

lol.

[Rattfink]

Now I did not knew that many Americans want to get rid of their Checks and Balances system.

Huh? No one said abolish, but reform.

[KoTeMoRe]

What are you talking about?

All laws passed by congress will apply equally to congress.

2. No Cadillac pensions without serving all his/her time. If he/she gets voted out no pension and Cadillac health plans.
3. No special privileges, They should buy insurance like us and/or partake in Medicare and all. Same with social security.

There are a myriad of things I could add but A.C. already exposed the gist of my thought. But most importantly seeing as how the US poster are going against the very core of their political system under the guise of *change*, one must think about that Cold War defeat, especially an old commie like me.