I received this in an e-mail. It contains two separate ideas, one being a proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the other a proposed Congressional Reform Act of 2010. We all label ourselves differently, some of us as Conservatives or Republicans, Liberals or Democrats, or as one of a great number of Independent parties. We all disagree on the issues, big and small. But, I think that as Americans, we should all be united under the notion that America is an exceptional country because we are the promoters of freedom and liberty, we have a beautiful Democratic-Republic, and we have documents written upon our founding that said what America is and what it is not. They stated what our congressional and representative bodies could do and what they could not do.
Since the country's founding, however, our representatives in Washington have been breaking and bending their own rules. We've experienced internal peace and turmoil. We've had corruption and honesty, transparency and smokescreens. But no matter what we had, we always had a number of self-centered, egotistical elitists who regarded themselves as something between the people and the Creator.
This year, 2010, will be an important year. Today, our Congress is divided. Un-willing to compromise, un-willing to serve the people with morals, ethics, and a genuine concern for what is happening on Main Street. They see animals, titles, parties, wages, ethnicity, special interests, and everything else before they see the problems and then the solutions. Some of Congress is corrupt. Some of Congress is miss-guided. Some of Congress is under the impression that they are in control. Some are working day and night to make America the shining city on a hill is was meant to be. We disagree on the issues, but we can agree that the latter is the type of Congressional Representatives we want representing us. Look at what has happened in this decade, look at the last couple of years, look at today. Do we really want these people, people like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank, to be pulling America's reigns for the next several years? Do we want their agendas to be the social and economic engines of America?
This year, we have the opportunity to look for the people who can speak for us in Washington and have the passion to make America great. We need new representatives. Representatives who care for the people. Representatives who live by the same rules as the people. Representatives who live the life of the people. We need representatives who ARE the people. It's time to really change Washington.
If you agree with these proposals send them to as many Americans as you can. If you don't, perhaps to send the word to a friend or relative who might appreciate them. Remember: We can all agree on one thing.
There has been talk for years about a second Bill of Rights. Well, if Congress is willing to shape up and listen to the people, we've got one for you.
Happy New Year!
-- Cody M. Buckmann 11 JAN 10
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congressional members could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Health Care reform that is being considered... in all forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent, or whatever. The self-serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"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 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.
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.
2. No Tenure / No Pension:
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
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.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional Retirement Fund move directly to the Social Security system immediately.
All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.
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.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
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.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
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.
6. Congress looses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
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.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
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.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/2011.
The American people did not make this contract with Congress, Congress 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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