Reforming Congress

[Alan Mendelson]

The following message came in an email. I am not the author but I think it is worthwhile for discussion:

We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution. - Abraham Lincoln

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Winds of Change....

Warren Buffet is 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 2012*_

1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.

2. 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 intothe Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

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

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

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

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 12/31/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.

Congressmen/women 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. Don't you think it's time?

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

If you agree with the above, pass it on. If not, just delete.

You are one of my 20+ -
Please keep it going, and thanks.

[Count Room]

Alan:

There's actually a school of thought that says we should triple, quadruple, and maybe even quintuple the salaries of Congressmen. Why? Because executives who run Fortune 500 companies are paid handsomely ($500,000+) to run billion-dollar plus companies. The salary draws the talent. If we skimp on paying the Congressmen, only the dregs would be attracted to the job (i.e. You get what you pay for).

Congressional salaries are a minuscule consideration compared to the trillion dollar federal budget. Would you pay a high school principal's salary to someone who is helping to steer a trillion dollar ship?

I am neutral on the opinion I just wrote above, but I found it intriguing. I do believe that it's time for Congressmen to stop trading stocks on inside information they might gather while in session. Sounds difficult to enforce unless Congressmen were required to place their assets in a blind trust like the President...

[Alan Mendelson]

A few months ago, legislation was passed about congress members being able to trade stocks using inside info. The practice is now banned.

About the salaries: Does a member of Congress have the responsibilities of a corporate CEO who is now paid a half million a year?