It's time to actually do what the candidates should be doing, but aren't, and that is to propose specific ideas on solving our political problems.

Here, I'll start.

- I say that we should pay a salary that attracts bright people and competes with what they can make in private business. While some people may think that a base of $174,000 a year salary for Senators and Congressman is a fortune, the truth of the matter is that it’s actually very low compared to what even the average bright person can make in the private sector. When you add the additional cost of maintaining two residences (very few of their families follow them to DC), and even with their office allowances, it makes it so tough that Congressman and Senators have been sharing apartments for years. So let’s make the pay $250,000 per year and with the term limit I suggest below, it will allow someone who might not otherwise think of serving...to do so.

- Another thing that needs to be laid to rest, is the false rumor spread about how Congress is guaranteed this salary for the rest of their lives ( for even one or two terms). This is totally false, but I won’t get into it in depth here. Suffice to say and to try and set the record straight, any retirement/pension they currently receive is similar to other Civil Service/FERS employees and is a function of the number of years (a % for each year) times the number of years of service.

- Regarding term limits, although that's a tough one, something definitely needs to be done. The shorter the term, the more they will be tempted to set something up quickly for themselves for when their term is through or begging for donations for their next election. The way it is now, a Congressman is voted in for only two years. If a person has decided that they want to be more than a one term Congressman, what do you think they’re doing the minute they get sworn in for their term? EXACTLY, they have to immediately start campaigning and looking for donations for their next term! No one with any common sense can fail to see that if a Congressman has another election in two years, they are not concentrating on doing their job and are much more concerned with trying to get more donations. And while Senators are elected for four years, they are almost in the exact same boat and have the exact same goals.

- Given the current situation, there is way too much potential for ingratiating themselves with big business/industries to either get donations or set themselves up for a much better paying job when they get out. Being a current professional politician has shown to have these exact problems. They seem to spend more time trying to get reelected or ingratiating themselves with businesses/industries… than taking care of business.

- So maybe make it a single 6 year term for both Senators and Congressman, so they can concentrate on governing and then they don't have to spend their time campaigning to get reelected, or sucking up to businesses/industries for future employment.

- In other words, I believe lengthening the terms for Senators and Representatives to one 6 year term, will eliminate a lot of the problems we have now of politicians being in constant "campaign/job seeking mode."

- I also believe that campaign reform along the lines below, will greatly reduce the need for elected officials to "pay back" those who donated a lot of money for them to get elected. Because I don’t care what anyone says, if someone donates a lot of money to your campaign, anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows damned well that candidate will look favorably upon that donor.

Consequently, I suggest:

1. Eliminating all private/business/PAC campaign contributions, except $50 from individuals only.

2. Establish a new tax on businesses that is used for the 'election pot.' And yes, I can hear the screaming now but.....since these same businesses will no longer be able to contribute directly (or through lobbyists/PAC’s), they will probably find that they are actually spending less money.

3. Give each candidate a set amount of campaign money........ and they have to determine how they want to best spend it. If they want to blow it on a few expensive TV ads, so be it. I’m guessing though, they will choose to figure out more cost effective ways to reach out to the voters and let them get to know the candidate better.

4. Limit access of lobbyists to politicians. Much like agents are limited in their access to amateur athletes, the number of lobbyists running around the halls of Congress is not much different than an infestation of cockroaches.

5. Mandate a quarterly report that shows every single lobbyist/interest group/individual that has met with each politician....and any votes made by that politician that could even be obliquely construed as affecting them.


- It is my opinion that although some will cry about muzzling their 'freedom of speech' (by limiting campaign amounts), if we were to allow smart, dedicated regular citizens (who can't afford it now) be able to run for a public office, we will get back to what was envisioned by the FF’s…which is a 'citizen legislature.'

Instead of the current lifetime occupation of.... 'Politician'…..soon followed by ‘Lobbyist.’


OK y’all, instead of the usual 2 or 3 sentence sound bites and personal attacks, quit being so lazy and let’s hear what you think will help solve our current problems.






CNM

Originally Posted by Guest

It's time to actually do what the candidates should be doing, but aren't, and that is to propose specific ideas on solving our political problems.

Here, I'll start.

- I say that we should pay a salary that attracts bright people and competes with what they can make in private business. While some people may think that a base of $174,000 a year salary for Senators and Congressman is a fortune, the truth of the matter is that it’s actually very low compared to what even the average bright person can make in the private sector. When you add the additional cost of maintaining two residences (very few of their families follow them to DC), and even with their office allowances, it makes it so tough that Congressman and Senators have been sharing apartments for years. So let’s make the pay $250,000 per year and with the term limit I suggest below, it will allow someone who might not otherwise think of serving...to do so.

- Another thing that needs to be laid to rest, is the false rumor spread about how Congress is guaranteed this salary for the rest of their lives ( for even one or two terms). This is totally false, but I won’t get into it in depth here. Suffice to say and to try and set the record straight, any retirement/pension they currently receive is similar to other Civil Service/FERS employees and is a function of the number of years (a % for each year) times the number of years of service.

- Regarding term limits, although that's a tough one, something definitely needs to be done. The shorter the term, the more they will be tempted to set something up quickly for themselves for when their term is through or begging for donations for their next election. The way it is now, a Congressman is voted in for only two years. If a person has decided that they want to be more than a one term Congressman, what do you think they’re doing the minute they get sworn in for their term? EXACTLY, they have to immediately start campaigning and looking for donations for their next term! No one with any common sense can fail to see that if a Congressman has another election in two years, they are not concentrating on doing their job and are much more concerned with trying to get more donations. And while Senators are elected for four years, they are almost in the exact same boat and have the exact same goals.

- Given the current situation, there is way too much potential for ingratiating themselves with big business/industries to either get donations or set themselves up for a much better paying job when they get out. Being a current professional politician has shown to have these exact problems. They seem to spend more time trying to get reelected or ingratiating themselves with businesses/industries… than taking care of business.

- So maybe make it a single 6 year term for both Senators and Congressman, so they can concentrate on governing and then they don't have to spend their time campaigning to get reelected, or sucking up to businesses/industries for future employment.

- In other words, I believe lengthening the terms for Senators and Representatives to one 6 year term, will eliminate a lot of the problems we have now of politicians being in constant "campaign/job seeking mode."

- I also believe that campaign reform along the lines below, will greatly reduce the need for elected officials to "pay back" those who donated a lot of money for them to get elected. Because I don’t care what anyone says, if someone donates a lot of money to your campaign, anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows damned well that candidate will look favorably upon that donor.

Consequently, I suggest:

1. Eliminating all private/business/PAC campaign contributions, except $50 from individuals only.

2. Establish a new tax on businesses that is used for the 'election pot.' And yes, I can hear the screaming now but.....since these same businesses will no longer be able to contribute directly (or through lobbyists/PAC’s), they will probably find that they are actually spending less money.

3. Give each candidate a set amount of campaign money........ and they have to determine how they want to best spend it. If they want to blow it on a few expensive TV ads, so be it. I’m guessing though, they will choose to figure out more cost effective ways to reach out to the voters and let them get to know the candidate better.

4. Limit access of lobbyists to politicians. Much like agents are limited in their access to amateur athletes, the number of lobbyists running around the halls of Congress is not much different than an infestation of cockroaches.

5. Mandate a quarterly report that shows every single lobbyist/interest group/individual that has met with each politician....and any votes made by that politician that could even be obliquely construed as affecting them.


- It is my opinion that although some will cry about muzzling their 'freedom of speech' (by limiting campaign amounts), if we were to allow smart, dedicated regular citizens (who can't afford it now) be able to run for a public office, we will get back to what was envisioned by the FF’s…which is a 'citizen legislature.'

Instead of the current lifetime occupation of.... 'Politician'…..soon followed by ‘Lobbyist.’


OK y’all, instead of the usual 2 or 3 sentence sound bites and personal attacks, quit being so lazy and let’s hear what you think will help solve our current problems.






CNM

And that affects us how? Other than the money part of the equation, this is the most unimportant part of this election cycle. There are many, much more important issues at stake. And if you weren't so lazy, you would go to the candidate's website and you would know that they have their own ideas about how to handle specific issues. But, typical liberal that needs someone else to do the work for them.

Originally Posted by Guest

And that affects us how? Other than the money part of the equation, this is the most unimportant part of this election cycle. There are many, much more important issues at stake. And if you weren't so lazy, you would go to the candidate's website and you would know that they have their own ideas about how to handle specific issues. But, typical liberal that needs someone else to do the work for them.

I should have known to ask for this.....

OK y’all, instead of the usual 2 or 3 sentence sound bites and personal attacks, quit being so lazy and let’s hear what you think will help solve our current problems.

......would mean some weren't capable.


Campaign reform and the unlimited amount of money that is allowed to buy candidates.....IS the primary problem.

That you prefer to ignore that...is not surprising.

That you're too lazy to even offer your own ideas...is not surprising either.

Now run along and let's wait and see if any adults aren't too lazy to proffer their own ideas.




CNM

While term limits seem appealing on the surface, you must realize that the effect is to eliminate all senior leadership.
Imagine a corporation where no one has been employed for more than 6 years. Imagine a military with no officers serving for more than 6 years. Imagine a doctor who cannot have more than 6 years experience.
Term limits solve the impetus for re-election problem, but create many more problems in its place.

Originally Posted by Guest

I should have known to ask for this.....
......would mean some weren't capable.


Campaign reform and the unlimited amount of money that is allowed to buy candidates.....IS the primary problem.

That you prefer to ignore that...is not surprising.

That you're too lazy to even offer your own ideas...is not surprising either.

Now run along and let's wait and see if any adults aren't too lazy to proffer their own ideas.




CNM

So, you are finally going to change your ways and demand everyone else discuss issues? What a useless hypocrite! You have already lost all credibility. Go away.

Originally Posted by Guest

So, you are finally going to change your ways and demand everyone else discuss issues? What a useless hypocrite! You have already lost all credibility. Go away.

I have discussed MANY issues and provided links backing up my POV, (whereby you haven't)......and can only prove how prescient I was when I wrote this.

OK y’all, instead of the usual 2 or 3 sentence sound bites and personal attacks, quit being so lazy and let’s hear what you think will help solve our current problems.

It must really suck to realize, that you are so pitifully transparent.



CNM

Originally Posted by Guest

Campaign reform and the unlimited amount of money that is allowed to buy candidates.....IS the primary problem.


CNM

No I don't feel that is the primary problem. I feel the lack of pride is the primary problem in this country.

There seems to be too many pride-less people that have not been successful enough in life to be generous with their own money, so they want to force others that have been successful to give money away to people that don't have enough pride to work for a living. That practice has not helped anyone, it has held many back in life. It has created a society of people that have developed a sense of entitlement to those handouts. That is the primary problem facing this country today.


CNM

Originally Posted by Guest

- Another thing that needs to be laid to rest, is the false rumor spread about how Congress is guaranteed this salary for the rest of their lives ( for even one or two terms). This is totally false, but I won’t get into it in depth here.




CNM

Go ahead feel free to get into depth here...



CNM

Originally Posted by Guest

No I don't feel that is the primary problem. I feel the lack of pride is the primary problem in this country.

There seems to be too many pride-less people that have not been successful enough in life to be generous with their own money, so they want to force others that have been successful to give money away to people that don't have enough pride to work for a living. That practice has not helped anyone, it has held many back in life. It has created a society of people that have developed a sense of entitlement to those handouts. That is the primary problem facing this country today.


CNM

LOL

Signing my initials to something I didn't write, is the epitome of originality and desperation.

Thanks for showing all that you are so intimidated by me that you have to do it.




The REAL CNM

Originally Posted by guest

go ahead feel free to get into depth here...



Cnm

lol!

Originally Posted by Guest

LOL

Signing my initials to something I didn't write, is the epitome of originality and desperation.

Thanks for showing all that you are so intimidated by me that you have to do it.




The REAL CNM

The term limits that the OP speaks of would be extremely hard, if not impossible, to achieve.

It would take a Constitutional Amendment to do it. The current terms are written into the Constitution. Congress cannot agree on simple things. They would never agree on shortening their cushy jobs.

Originally Posted by Guest

Yep, typical.

Call anyone that makes you look like an idiot a 'troll.'


CNM

Originally Posted by Guest

The term limits that the OP speaks of would be extremely hard, if not impossible, to achieve.

It would take a Constitutional Amendment to do it. The current terms are written into the Constitution. Congress cannot agree on simple things. They would never agree on shortening their cushy jobs.

Thank you for at least providing an intelligent response that isn't churlish.

While I tend to agree it would be very hard, just that fact alone that Congress would fight something that would eliminate their corrupt ways however...is something I think is worth pursuing.

CNM

Originally Posted by Guest

The term limits that the OP speaks of would be extremely hard, if not impossible, to achieve.

It would take a Constitutional Amendment to do it. The current terms are written into the Constitution. Congress cannot agree on simple things. They would never agree on shortening their cushy jobs.

Some folks didn't learn that in their middle school civics class so they need to be reminded. Term limits are more important to them than the state of our economy, employment, national defense and justice. They will ignore criminal activity and vote for the most corrupt candidate in Democrat history and then turn around and complain about turn limits and fight voter ID.