George Rebane

Long ago Congress became the largest, best armed, corrupt, and most powerful crime syndicate in the nation.  For years we voters have been the compliant lackeys of the self-aggrandized ‘Capitol Honorables’, sending one morally myopic after another to Washington on the promise that they will somehow be clever enough to return us more than the tribute they first harvest from us.  We excuse our folly with the firm belief that only experienced mobsters know how to play in the Washington syndicate, and anyone else we send there would be returned to us in a body bag at the end of his/her term.

Our country was not founded on the premise of perennially supporting a professional political class.  And more and more of us now dream of a return to principled governance that would again unleash the blessings of liberty for which so many have sacrificed.

Today a growing number of Americans believe that this type of reform is fundamental to turning from our present disastrous course.  What will you do if you share this dream?

A long time friend and RR reader sent this expression of hope that appears below with minor edits.

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 member of Congress 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 moves 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 loses 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 in 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 members of Congress are void effective 1 January 2011. 
    The American people did not make these contracts with members of Congress, the members made these contracts for only their own benefit.

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.