It’s not often (read: extremely rare) I mention politics on the blog—and (to date) never, ever on The 3/50 Project’s Facebook page. But today might be different.
I received a forwarded email from my father imploring its readers to support a mythical Congressional Reform Act of 2011 (something of note since Dad’s not a fan of forwards). This is the fourth? fifth? sixth? time I’ve received this particular missive from someone, reflecting just how frustrated we all are with Congress.
Which got me thinking: Wouldn’t it be something if the guys on the Hill had to operate by the same standards as independent brick and mortars on Main Street?
Read the following excerpts from the forwarded email, then tell me if you agree:
1. No tenure or pension
A Congressman collects salary while in office, but receives no pay after leaving office.
2. Congress (past, present, and future) participates in Social Security
Funds already in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately, along with all future funds. Congress partipates in and survives on Social Security alongside the rest of working America.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as most Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote in a pay raise for themselves
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%
(My addition: Assuming, of course, the budget can afford it.)
5. Congress loses their current health care plan and participates in the same health care system as the rest of us
6. Congress must abide by the same laws as the American public
Color me crazy, but this plan sounds a lot like what most of us are already living as independent business owners. While I doubt the Congressional Reform Act of 2011 has a snowball’s chance in “a very warm place,” there’s no denying the logic.
If Congress not only talked the talk (heaven knows, they love to do that), but actually walked the walk, well…you have to wonder how different things might be.
Hmmm. Food for thought.
Click here to tell me what you think....
First off let me start our by saying that I love the 3/50 Project. It is inline with what I am attempting to accomplish with my BLOG. Informing people that as consumers we have the power to make a difference. Every dollar we spend is a vote for what we believe in.
I love the spirit behind “The Congressional Reform Act of 2011″. The idea of an elected office being a public servant has been lost in our world of professional politics.
I agree with point one and would go even furthe. Their salaries are too high. In 20 years legislative salaries have almost double while middle class America has seen its salaries decrease when calculating inflation.
Point two and four are common misunderstandings. As of 1984 they have been paying into Social Security. Congress does not vote to give themselves a raise. What they do vote on is if they want to reject their automatic cost of living increase. The way congress gets raises does need to be changed but like most politics they have made it more complicated than it needs to be.
As for points 3, 5, and 6. YES!!!!
I love what you are trying to accomplish and have subscribed to both your blog and twitter account. I am looking forward to the things I will be learning in your future post.
Amen! I think a lot of our government’s financial issues would be improved if it acted more like a business. Especially #1!