Congress

Teena,
Thanks for the great feedback...got me thinking again..........

Replied to your comments in blue...

I. Terms, Compensation, and Representation:

1. Congressional House  terms will be changed to four years which would allow members
to not have to run every other year.

2. State legislatures will determine the number of terms of  Congressional representatives.
How will you reconcile the differing terms since some will be longer than others or does it matter?

My goal is to return the power to the states that has been deliberately whittled away by the Federal
govt...allowing the Congress to self-govern without deference to the desires of the public at large,
only interest groups and partisan goals.

The length of terms will remain four yrs for the House and six yrs for the Senate. But if NC wants
any rep to serve 3, 4, etc. that will be the limit. If GA wants unlimited terms that is fine too. This
provides added incentive to compete to serve.

3. An independent, non-political board will set compensation, expenses  and other benefits

rather than Congress doing it for themselves.  How do you maintain a non-partisan board?

You can never remove partisanship but I would structure compensation  as it is in the private
sector.

4. Pensions for members of Congress will be eliminated, elected representation should be
viewed as a tradition job, it is an honor to serve, made a available to more citizens than an

advantaged political class.  YES!

5. Congressional districts will be redrawn based on geography, population and practicality,

without regard for race, or other political/partisan criteria.  YES!

II. Campaign Funding Changes:

6. Only individuals will be allowed to contribute to political contributions.

7. Campaign funds may not be transferred to other campaigns.

8. Unspent campaign funds cannot be retained after an election, and must be turned over to

the Federal  Election Commission.  How about getting Social Security in the black with unused
funds or paying down other forms of debt no matter how little the contribution....principle of the idea.



That sounds good but SS requires $550 billion, more than unspent campaign money would amount to.
Plus, with this suggestion.. pols. will spend ever last dime.

About SS....I created a blog to address SS, did I ever sent it?..

http://strengthensocialsecurity.blogspot.com/

I replaced current funding method (payroll tax)  with increase in the income tax.  Blog has details.

III. Legislative Process:

9. Only Congress will write legislation.

10. Each party will have an equal number of members on all committees to ensure one party does

not dominate the crafting of legislation.  Agreed!

11. The number of Congressional committees (over 150) and caucuses (over 250)  will be reduced
to eliminate redundancy, lobbying interests, and the heavy workload on members,

12. No legislation can be voted on between election day and the new Congress takes office to eliminate

the taint of  non representative lame duck legislation.  Agreed so why pay them to even be in DC.  Sounds like unpaid vacation time to me.

You bring up good point, but generally lame duck congresses do not much positive after election. Much of
what the want to pass is self-serving or pay offs.  So, it would be cheaper to give them time off.

But, after elections we will have members who will not return who should work with their replacement so there is
a smooth transition and members who will be returning who can visit their districts to prepare for the new Congress.

III. Strengthen State Sovereignty:

13. Federal funds will not be withheld from states for any reason, each state will determine standards for

matters best handled at the state level.  No more holding states hostage to the federal govt.  States rights rule!

14. Each state will have the responsibility for education, and not be required to  meet Federal standards.

      See previous point.....and not have federal education funds with held for any reason.

15. Only the Interstate Highway system will fall under the authority of the Dept. of Transportation.

     Ummmm....and maybe the railroads????

AGREED.....but with limits...For example, for the high speed rail project between neighboring states,
the DOT will play an advisory role only, and the states would develop the plan to build the RR lines.

16. Federal land within states, except for national parks and military installations  will be deeded to the

states and states will be compensated for land used by the Federal government.  What other types of federal lands are there?

Most notable is ANWR which begs the question WHY does the Fed have the authority to prevent state from determining its use?

This link provides a glaring example.  Don't know if you remember the story.

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=16730

I know what I offer may be viewed as pie-in-the-sky, but I also know such changes will never occur as long
as the political parties are allowed to continue unrestrained to govern without being answerable to the people
who elect them.

I hope you will share with others any suggestion you believe have merit and look forward to your thoughts.