A new amendment to the Constitution ? pipe dream

Godfather.
Godfather. Posts: 12,504
edited April 2011 in A Moving Train
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.

I'm asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

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

2. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

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

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. 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 1/1/13.

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.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message. Maybe it is time.


this was one of the "please pass it on e-mails"(I deleted) cool idea but a pipe dream in my opinion.


Godfather.
Post edited by Unknown User on
«1

Comments

  • mikepegg44
    mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    term limits would be the best thing to happen to the united states government.
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    There is already Term Limits in place... it is called 'Elections'.
    It is tough to blame the politicians in office... when WE are the ones putting them there. The PEOPLE are the stupid ones in this equation. WE are the ones responsible for hiring... and FIRING them with our ballots.
    ...
    Ask yourself this... did you vote for an incumbant?
    If yes... blame yourself.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,050
    Cosmo wrote:
    There is already Term Limits in place... it is called 'Elections'.
    It is tough to blame the politicians in office... when WE are the ones putting them there. The PEOPLE are the stupid ones in this equation. WE are the ones responsible for hiring... and FIRING them with our ballots.
    ...
    Ask yourself this... did you vote for an incumbant?
    If yes... blame yourself.
    completely agreed. it is just as much the voters' fault as it is the politicians'.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    sure guy's what ever you say. ;)

    Godfather.
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    I'm inclined to agree, that's why we vote.

    However I am also for only allowing those that pay taxes the right to vote. People who sit on their asses in public housing and that are on food stamps with no income and refuse to work even if they are able-bodied should not get to vote.
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,050
    unsung wrote:
    I'm inclined to agree, that's why we vote.

    However I am also for only allowing those that pay taxes the right to vote. People who sit on their asses in public housing and that are on food stamps with no income and refuse to work even if they are able-bodied should not get to vote.
    good luck with that ammendment....
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    I know. It is because it makes sense.

    Illinois has a proposal going that if you use a LINK (foodstamp) card you will be getting new cards with your picture on them to reduce fraud. Many of these are sold for less than the value and the money is used for things like alcohol. A picture would go a good way at stopping that.

    Of course a Democrat State Rep is calling that racist.
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    unsung wrote:
    I know. It is because it makes sense.

    Illinois has a proposal going that if you use a LINK (foodstamp) card you will be getting new cards with your picture on them to reduce fraud. Many of these are sold for less than the value and the money is used for things like alcohol. A picture would go a good way at stopping that.

    Of course a Democrat State Rep is calling that racist.

    Of course a Democrat State Rep is calling that racist.[/quote]

    are you kidding ?....what dose that tell you ?

    Godfather.
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,050
    unsung wrote:
    I know. It is because it makes sense.

    Illinois has a proposal going that if you use a LINK (foodstamp) card you will be getting new cards with your picture on them to reduce fraud. Many of these are sold for less than the value and the money is used for things like alcohol. A picture would go a good way at stopping that.

    Of course a Democrat State Rep is calling that racist.
    no, i was wishing you luck disenfranchising a whole population of poor american citizens, who, by the way, have the same right to vote as you and i do....
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • mikepegg44
    mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    Cosmo wrote:
    There is already Term Limits in place... it is called 'Elections'.
    It is tough to blame the politicians in office... when WE are the ones putting them there. The PEOPLE are the stupid ones in this equation. WE are the ones responsible for hiring... and FIRING them with our ballots.
    ...
    Ask yourself this... did you vote for an incumbant?
    If yes... blame yourself.
    completely agreed. it is just as much the voters' fault as it is the politicians'.


    except when voters do get out to get rid of the established politicians in droves they are seen as crazy, and the people they vote in receive no respect at all.

    Term limits changes the goal of politics as a whole. right now it is simply to do what will get you re-elected and that shouldn't be the goal. The goal should be to make the country better off than it would have been without you in office...Term limits would end career politicians, and that is something that is more damaging to the country than any voter apathy in my opinion. Voters ARE at fault as well, but politics has changed, the career politicians are now basically running on the platform of lesser of two evils and that is bullshit.
    you both could very well be right, that it is more the people's fault than anything, but something needs to change, and why not start with what could be the biggest problem, at the very least things will remain the same, and at the best politicians no longer are governing in terms of what is electable and start governing in terms of what is best for the country.
    Something is wrong with the system, where we spend millions of dollars every few years for someone to win a job that only pays ~170,000...where tricks and have truths are how you get elected, and poll watching is how you stay there...
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • MoonTurtle
    MoonTurtle Posts: 752
    love it

    same process should be used to save early childhood ed
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    mikepegg44 wrote:
    except when voters do get out to get rid of the established politicians in droves they are seen as crazy, and the people they vote in receive no respect at all.

    Term limits changes the goal of politics as a whole. right now it is simply to do what will get you re-elected and that shouldn't be the goal. The goal should be to make the country better off than it would have been without you in office...Term limits would end career politicians, and that is something that is more damaging to the country than any voter apathy in my opinion. Voters ARE at fault as well, but politics has changed, the career politicians are now basically running on the platform of lesser of two evils and that is bullshit.
    you both could very well be right, that it is more the people's fault than anything, but something needs to change, and why not start with what could be the biggest problem, at the very least things will remain the same, and at the best politicians no longer are governing in terms of what is electable and start governing in terms of what is best for the country.
    Something is wrong with the system, where we spend millions of dollars every few years for someone to win a job that only pays ~170,000...where tricks and have truths are how you get elected, and poll watching is how you stay there...
    ...
    You are right... the one thing that needs to change is the lobbying system that greases the machinery. Those are the people who Congress represents.
    With term limits... who do you end up with? Would you ever sign on to a career with a term limit on it? What term limits would create is a system where the decades long continuity is only with the lobbyist... whom we have absolutely no control over. We will end up with short term opportunist looking to make as much money in a short period of time representing us. Think our interests are not being Represented? Imagine someone just looking to mak a careere's worth of retirement wealth in 12 years.
    Change campaign funding rules and limit what lobbyists can contribute. And educate the people to QUIT voting based solely on political party.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    Godfather. wrote:
    sure guy's what ever you say. ;)

    Godfather.
    ...
    I'm guessing... you voted incumbant Republicans, right?
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Cosmo wrote:
    Godfather. wrote:
    sure guy's what ever you say. ;)

    Godfather.
    ...
    I'm guessing... you voted incumbant Republicans, right?

    McCain / Palin... :D but not that it really matters,seems who ever gets in office will never make everybody happy or keep their promises.

    Godfather.
  • mikepegg44
    mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    Cosmo wrote:
    mikepegg44 wrote:
    except when voters do get out to get rid of the established politicians in droves they are seen as crazy, and the people they vote in receive no respect at all.

    Term limits changes the goal of politics as a whole. right now it is simply to do what will get you re-elected and that shouldn't be the goal. The goal should be to make the country better off than it would have been without you in office...Term limits would end career politicians, and that is something that is more damaging to the country than any voter apathy in my opinion. Voters ARE at fault as well, but politics has changed, the career politicians are now basically running on the platform of lesser of two evils and that is bullshit.
    you both could very well be right, that it is more the people's fault than anything, but something needs to change, and why not start with what could be the biggest problem, at the very least things will remain the same, and at the best politicians no longer are governing in terms of what is electable and start governing in terms of what is best for the country.
    Something is wrong with the system, where we spend millions of dollars every few years for someone to win a job that only pays ~170,000...where tricks and have truths are how you get elected, and poll watching is how you stay there...
    ...
    You are right... the one thing that needs to change is the lobbying system that greases the machinery. Those are the people who Congress represents.
    With term limits... who do you end up with? Would you ever sign on to a career with a term limit on it? What term limits would create is a system where the decades long continuity is only with the lobbyist... whom we have absolutely no control over. We will end up with short term opportunist looking to make as much money in a short period of time representing us. Think our interests are not being Represented? Imagine someone just looking to mak a careere's worth of retirement wealth in 12 years.
    Change campaign funding rules and limit what lobbyists can contribute. And educate the people to QUIT voting based solely on political party.
    You end up with people who want to be part of the system to change things, not get rich... Your "what if" scenario isn't something I am afraid of happening really. Will shit bags get voted in? yep...will that be any different than it is now? nope....the thing that will be different is that being a senator will not be seen as a CAREER...they will be forced to live in the world they create. The reason lobbyists are effective is because they are able to build relationships over years...if you take away the ability for someone to be in there they will constantly have to create new relationships...I think that renders them less effective, but I could be wrong. Overall the worst thing that can come out of term limits is things remaining exactly the same... Salaries should also be lowered. It should be seen as public service...like working in the public health department...I don't get rich doing it, but I think it is important to do and I will do it as long as the services are available...I am not looking to get rich...no one should get rich while working for the government...
    Why is there a term limit for the president and not the senate and house?

    edit: but you are right, people need to quit voting based on party line and campaign funding should be limited to debates that are televised and broadcast on the radio every week. Fuck the ability to put out misleading commercials that tell 1/4 of the story...
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • Jeanwah
    Jeanwah Posts: 6,363
    My pipe dream is still and will always be minimum wage for all politicians. These people choose to get into public office to serve the People, therefore they should be last when it comes to any kind of payouts.
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Jeanwah wrote:
    My pipe dream is still and will always be minimum wage for all politicians. These people choose to get into public office to serve the People, therefore they should be last when it comes to any kind of payouts.

    or at the very lest an honest politician would be great.

    Godfather.
  • bennett13
    bennett13 Posts: 439
    unsung wrote:
    I know. It is because it makes sense.

    Illinois has a proposal going that if you use a LINK (foodstamp) card you will be getting new cards with your picture on them to reduce fraud. Many of these are sold for less than the value and the money is used for things like alcohol. A picture would go a good way at stopping that.

    Of course a Democrat State Rep is calling that racist.
    no, i was wishing you luck disenfranchising a whole population of poor american citizens, who, by the way, have the same right to vote as you and i do....


    They shouldn't be able to vote. It's a conflict of interest.

    "When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."
    - Benjamin Franklin
  • gimmesometruth27
    gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 24,050
    bennett13 wrote:
    They shouldn't be able to vote. It's a conflict of interest.

    "When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."
    - Benjamin Franklin
    now i have heard everything....

    so now some americans on this board are of the opinion that the 15th amendment and the voting rights act of 1965 should not apply to all citizens.... :shock:

    unbelievable...

    i would honestly cry for this nation if the stupidity of some of its people didn't make me shake my head and laugh...

    so i guess franklin's quote does not apply to lawmakers as well... or does it???

    if we are talking about potentially altering the bill of rights, i have some issues with that second amendment...
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    unsung wrote:
    I'm inclined to agree, that's why we vote.

    However I am also for only allowing those that pay taxes the right to vote. People who sit on their asses in public housing and that are on food stamps with no income and refuse to work even if they are able-bodied should not get to vote.
    ...
    So... you are saying you are all for a dictatorial regime where the state gets to dictate to the electorate who get to vote and who doesn't... not a Democracy, where everyone is equal at the human level, not their financial standing regarding their right to vote?
    How about we only let those who make at least $250,000.00 annually vote? After all... aren't they the only ones creating jobs here? Those are the only people that really matter here... right?
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!