Special offer

Is It time to Reform Washington?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with RE/MAX In Action WV0020324 & VA0225072929

I received this in an email from a past client and I though it to be very thought provoking and wanted to share. He said he would love for me to share with anyone that might think it is time to reform Washington. 

 

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 after they leave 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 other American citizens.
 
4. Congressmen can purchase their own retirement plan, just as other 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 other citizens of America.
 
7. Congress must abide equally by all laws they impose on the American people.
 
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.
   
THIS IS HOW WE FIX CONGRESS!

Paul Walker
Equity Fifty Five Realty, LLC - Scott AFB, IL
Scott AFB IL Area Realtor

Yes, it is time to reform Washington and these are rules that would really make a huge difference in actually getting better more qualified individuals. We also need election reform so that you don't need to be a multi-millionaire to run for office.

Jan 30, 2011 01:56 PM
Virginia Gardner
Roy Wheeler Realty Co. - Charlottesville, VA
Realtor, Charlottesville, Serving Central Virginia

Yes, yes, yes, and yes...  I agree.

Jan 30, 2011 02:00 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Jeanne, I do think that it is time to reform Washington.  I agree with the things that you have put forth.  I really like the term limits idea, along witht he pension/social security ideas.  Turnover would be a good thing instead of the career politicians that we have now!

Jan 30, 2011 02:01 PM
Jeanne Kozak
RE/MAX In Action - Martinsburg, WV
REALTOR and Broker/Owner in WV and VA

I wonder how much response we would get if we would send this email or blog to our own state senators and congressmen and ask their opinion of the suggestion...Realtors are over 1 million strong!

Jan 30, 2011 02:12 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

The one thing I would add is taht the revolving door to K street needs to stop....

Jan 31, 2011 03:59 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Jeanne:  I would add what Ruthmarie in #5 alludes to... which is the influence of all the Lobbyists on K Street.

Also... I agree with just about everything on your list... EXCEPT Number 1... your artificial term limits.  We already HAVE term limits.  It's called "voting."  Adding term limits restricts MY right to vote for the candidate of my choice.  If I think either my Senator, or my House Rep... or even the President is going a great job... why should my right to vote for her (or him) be restricted.

If you want them out... vote them out.  Conversely... if you want them to stay in... vote them in again.  Just my three cents.

Jan 31, 2011 05:25 PM
Jeanne Kozak
RE/MAX In Action - Martinsburg, WV
REALTOR and Broker/Owner in WV and VA

 

Karen and Ruthmarie, all good points for discussion. I think what this says to all of us it that people are frustrated, and that change just for the sake of change may not really change anything except the faces. Why does it have to be the Dems vs the Repubs, or liberals vs conservatives, why can't it just be Americans for Americans and stop the gridlock, however it has to get done. Just Do It! 

Jan 31, 2011 06:31 PM