The Website home of Karl Bullock

July 28, 2011

I am beginning to be concerned that the Republic can be saved. Last year we voted for people who swore they'd change the way Washington does business. Now, it's looking like we're going to compromise at some point on a plan to raise the debt ceiling by - get this - not increasing the spending as fast next year. What? What happened to actual cuts? This is totally unacceptable! This whole debt-ceiling argument is a bogus argument in the first place. Not raising the debt-ceiling forces spending reductions - it's as simple as that! But, the current crop, even with the landslide last year, can't seem to make that point!!!

It is time to change the equation. I received an forwarded email today from a friend with a new take on a suggestion I've advocated for years. Until we change the makeup of the Congress, we'll never change the culture of the Congress. So, read on, and begin enlisting others to push the agenda:

Congressional Reform Amendment of 2011

1. Term Limits - Maximum 12 years in Congress through 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

D. If an election would put you over the 12 year limit - you're ineligible

2. No Tenure / No Pension - A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office (i.e. - they have to get a real job!).

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

A. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.

B. 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 as all Americans do.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.

9. Any changes in these rules will require another Constitutional Amendment

The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

This is not a panacea, but will start us down the road of returning our Country to its foundation.

Make no mistake, this is a very hard sell, because the very people who must pass it are the ones giving up all the perks - and it'll take a 2/3 vote in Congress, and approval by 3/4 of the States. It'll either take massive pressure from the electorate, or the States will have to bypass Congress and use the Constitutionally-approved method of convening a Constitutional Convention. The former is hard, the latter dangerous. However, without some action somewhere, this madness will continue until the Country is gone. Is that what you want to leave your children and grandchildren?

Remember - the country is ultimately in our hands.