From The Middle

Congress

Our country was founded on the concept of “Citizen Legislators”, those elected by the people. Granted, it took a while for us to give that right to all our people. Now is the time for us to either return to our founding fathers’ concept, or, to formally recognize the current practice of “Professional Politicians”.

I would postulate that the current practice of Professional Politicians has not only proven to be ineffective, but it is also the most expensive of the two options (paying more for less result). According to most studies and polls of members of Congress, once elected, they spend at least 1/3^rd of their waking time on fund raising for their reelection! According to the Gallup Polls, our confidence in the current system has not existed in over a quarter century, and is dropping from there (Democrats or Republicans).

The “Professional Politicians” have created their own retirement system that is unequaled in private business – they are set for life after 1 term. Our budgets and deficits and costs of living rise every year while our standard of living and our life expectancy decline compared to the rest of the world.

I would recommend a return to our Founding Fathers’ concept of the Citizen Legislator where (“Congress” meaning the Senate and the House of Representatives):

1. Elections are paid for through taxes. The amounts spent per candidate are fixed by law, no other contributions may be made or accepted in any manner. This would effectively eliminate the influence of lobbyists, people who are only concerned with their own interests, not those of the American people.
2. Terms are limited to 2 consecutive terms. An individual may run again only after leaving office for a minimum of one full term. This would eliminate the Professional Politician and return us to the Citizen Legislator, yet, permit good, effective legislators to serve.
3. Members of Congress will be paid what they were earning in the position they left to serve in Congress, plus or minus any “Cost of Living” adjustments for living part time in Washington. Their normal and customary expenses of serving (office, staff, etc.) will be paid for by their constituents in their Congressional district. The overriding principle shall be that a member of Congress shall neither directly gain nor lose financially by being a member of Congress.
4. All benefits afforded members of Congress will be identical to those afforded to our military – health benefits, private sector job protection benefits, retirement benefits, educational benefits, pay raises, etc., nothing more, nothing less. After all, “serving” in Congress should be no different than “serving” in the military (except that one might be slightly safer).
5. Any member of Congress who switches their party affiliation while in elected office will automatically immediately forfeit that position and the Governor of that state will appoint a replacement to fill out the elected term.

Understand that this will only happen if we elect a majority to both the House and Senate who sign a “Term Limit Pledge” stating they will work for and will vote for bills containing the above. Until we elect a majority of these – and hold them to it – the incumbents have too much to lose. If you agree, please ask your candidates to publicly sign the Pledge below.

TERM ELECTIONS PLEDGE

I, _______________________________, candidate for Congressman or Senator from District ____, in the State of _____________________, do hereby Pledge to Author or Support and Vote For an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution limiting the terms of Congressional Representatives and Senators to two (2) consecutive terms during my first term in office. Should I fail to meet this Pledge, I promise not to run for elected office again.

Signed __________________________ Date _____________________

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