Congressional Reform Act of 2010

THIS IS HOW WE CAN FIX OUR CONGRESS!

I am sending this to virtually all my close friends and that includes conservatives, liberals, and everybody in between. Even though we disagree on a number of issues, I count all of you as friends. The proposal is to promote a "Congressional Reform Act of 2010." It would contain several provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I know many of you will say, "this is impossible." Let me remind you, Congress has the lowest approval of any entity in Government, now is the time when Americans will join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us.

We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House. These people will become American heroes. Please add any ideas on how to get this done.

Thanks,
A Fellow American

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Congressional Reform Act of 2010

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

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 once they are leave office. Unused campaign funds will no longer be kept (tax free) by the retiring congressman, but must be donated to a legal charity.

3. Normal Retirement

Congressmen (past, present & future) will participate in the Social Security Retirement system. All money in the Congressional retirement fund will be moved to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, where Congress will participate with the rest of the American people. (Congressmen can purchase their own private retirement plan just as all Americans can.)

4. Pay Increases

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

5. Health Care

Congress will give up its current health care system and will participate in the same health care system as the rest of the American people.

6. No Exemptions

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

7. No "Sweetheart" deals

All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.

The American people did not make these contracts with congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

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If successful, these new laws would greatly reduce the ridiculously expensive campaigns for Congressional seats, and make finance reform more palatable to the present members. (Congressmen who excel in office will have many opportunities for continued public service at the state or federal level as well as the private sector.)

Please Keep this Circulating.