Do you want to get rich? Just get elected to Congress. The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives are absolutely packed with wealthy people that are very rapidly becoming even wealthier. The collective net worth of the members of Congress is now measured in the billions of dollars. The people that we have elected to the House and Senate are absolutely swimming in money. Unfortunately, it is not easy to get elected to Congress. In this day and age you generally have to be heavily connected to those that are very wealthy to get into Congress because it takes gigantic amounts of cash to win campaigns. But if you can get in to the club, you pretty much have it made. The numbers that you are about to read are very difficult to believe and they should deeply sadden you. They show that Congress has become all about money. Congressional races are mostly financed by wealthy people, most of the people that we elect to Congress are very wealthy, and they rapidly get wealthier after they are elected. All of this money has turned our republic into something far different than our founding fathers intended.
The following are 12 statistics about money and Congress that are so outrageous that it is hard to believe that they are actually true....
#1 The collective net worth of all of the members of Congress increased by 25 percent between 2008 and 2010.
#2 The collective net worth of all of the members of Congress is now slightly over 2 billion dollars. That is "billion" with a "b".
#3 This happened during a time when the net worth of most American households was declining rapidly. According to the Federal Reserve, the collective net worth of all American households decreased by 23 percent between 2007 and 2009.
#4 The average net worth for a member of Congress is now approximately 3.8 million dollars.
#5 The net worth of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi increased by 62 percent from 2009 to 2010. In 2009 it was reported that she had a net worth of 21.7 million dollars, and in 2010 it was reported that she had a net worth of 35.2 million dollars.
#6 The top Republican in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, saw his wealth grow by 29 percent from 2009 to 2010. He is now worth approximately 9.8 million dollars.
#7 More than 50 percent of the members of the U.S. Congress are millionaires.
#8 In 2008, the average cost of winning a seat in the House of Representatives was $1.1 million and the average cost of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate was $6.5 million. Spending on political campaigns has gotten way out of control.
#9 Insider trading is perfectly legal for members of the U.S. Congress - and they refuse to pass a law that would change that.
#10 The percentage of millionaires in Congress is more than 50 times higher than the percentage of millionaires in the general population.
#11 U.S. Representative Darrell Issa is worth approximately 220 million dollars. His wealth grew by approximately 37 percent from 2009 to 2010.
#12 The wealthiest member of Congress, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, is worth approximately 294 million dollars.
So how are members of Congress becoming so wealthy?
Well, there are lots of ways they are raking in the cash, but one especially alarming thing that goes on is that members of Congress often make investments in companies that will go up significantly if legislation that is being considered by Congress "goes the right way".
This is called a "conflict of interest", but it happens constantly in Congress and nobody seems to get into any trouble for it.
The following is video of Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes ambushing Nancy Pelosi about one particular conflict of interest involving credit card legislation. As you can see, she does not want to talk about it....
As noted above, insider trading is perfectly legal for members of Congress.
A law that would ban insider trading by members of Congress has been stalled for years on Capitol Hill.
So has this been a significant benefit to members of Congress?
Well, there has been at least one study that appears to indicate that members of Congress have been much more successful in the stock market than members of the general public have....
A 2004 study of the results of stock trading by United States Senators during the 1990s found that that senators on average beat the market by 12% a year. In sharp contrast, U.S. households on average underperformed the market by 1.4% a year and even corporate insiders on average beat the market by only about 6% a year during that period. A reasonable inference is that some Senators had access to - and were using - material nonpublic information about the companies in whose stock they trade.
Of course all of this could just be a coincidence, right?
Meanwhile, members of Congress keep telling the rest of us that we are just going to have to cut back because times are tough.
For example, during an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, Nancy Pelosi actually claimed that we should try to encourage poor people to have less children because it costs the government so much money to take care of them....
PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So no apologies for that?
PELOSI: No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy.
This elitist attitude extends all the way into the White House as well. Earlier this year, Barack Obama made the following statement....
"If you’re a family trying to cut back, you might skip going out to dinner, or you might put off a vacation."
Meanwhile, the Obamas are living the high life at taxpayer expense. In a previous article I mentioned one outrageously expensive vacation taken by the Obamas that was paid for by our taxes....
"Back in August, Michelle Obama took her daughter Sasha and 40 of her friends for a vacation in Spain.
So what was the bill to the taxpayers for that little jaunt across the pond?
It is estimated that vacation alone cost U.S. taxpayers $375,000."
There is a massive disconnect between what our politicians say and what our politicians do.
The high life is good enough for them, but the rest of us have got to "cut back" and suffer becomes times are hard.
But when it comes to money and Congress, the most corrupting influence of all is probably all of the campaign money that gets thrown around.
In America today, it takes gigantic mountains of money to run a successful campaign.
Sadly, the candidate that raises the most money almost always wins. In federal elections the candidate that raises the most money wins about 90 percent of the time.
More than 5 billion dollars were spent on political campaigns back in 2008.
That represents a huge number of favors that need to be paid back.
In 2012, it is being projected that 8 billion dollars could be spent on political campaigns.
When big corporations and wealthy individuals shovel huge piles of money into political campaigns, it is generally because they expect something in return.
Most of those that get sent to Congress realize that they never would have won if wealthy donors had not showered cash on them. Most of them understand that they should not bite the hands that feed them if they want the cash to keep rolling in.
Politics in America has become a game that is played by the elite for the benefit of the elite.
Average Americans have the perception that they are involved in the process and that their opinions really matter, but mostly it is just an illusion.
It is so sad.
Meanwhile, members of Congress rapidly get wealthier and average American families continue to suffer. In fact, the standard of living in the United States has fallen farther over the past three years than at any other time that has ever been recorded in U.S. history.
But for members of Congress the good times just keep on rolling.
Just as it has been for most of human history, the rich rule over the poor.
Does anyone out there believe that we have any hope of changing this?
I have the only way to correct this problem, term limits. My term limits would allow a Congressman to only serve one two year term in their life. Yes, I know this sounds extreme and they would not learn the ropes in that short amount of time. Do we really need profesional Congressmen? Did our Founding Fathers want profesionals serving? Send them home without a pension or benefits.
Who’s going to pass term limits?
Curtis, that is a fair question. We could elect Tea Party people that would run with this cause. If this did not work, maybe the Tea Party or another group might start a protest movement in support of this topic. At the same time we could work on removing the 17th amendment so that that states might have some of the balance of power that our Founding Fathers had in mind.
Mark
Having a two term Congressman leave office and only to be replaced by a Senior State Senator or big city Mayor that fed at the same political bowl (just receiving a smaller portion) will accomplish nothing.
Vote out the incumbents in their respective primaries and replace them with political unknowns. Put Doctors, Engineers and Teachers on the ballot. Vote them out with the same process after a term or two.
Kevin2, I did not say two terms, I said one two year term. That is the time given in the Constitution for the House. The term limits would be for one two year term. I would hope that the voters would elect lay people to office and not profesional pols to office.
Even better, fire them all. We no longer live in horse and buggy days when it took several days for individuals to get to Washington. So in those days, there was a need to have representation. Today we have the Internet and planes and trains and even snail mail is faster than the days of the pony express.
There is absolutely NO need for more laws. My book of Wisdom says the more laws you have, the more crime you will have. The same book of Wisdom also says that with each generation the next “king” is worse than the one before. Civilization waxes worse and worse.
mark,
I could not disagree with you more. If the people do not have the presence of mind or the force of intellect to elect people based on merit instead of cha-ching! Republican or cha ching! Democrat, then they are getting exactly what they deserve: Corruption at the highest levels of government and iron fisted rule of the rich wealthy elites over them.
I have no sympathy for amerikans because their wounds are self-inflicted. Congress has a 9, get it 9 percent approval rating. The question then becomes, how on earth can these buffoons ever win re-election with an institutional approval rating of 9 percent? Because useful idiot republican and democrat voters will then take the illogical position that “their” individual Representatives and Senators are not the problem, all the others are. Which will result in roughly 90 percent plus of the same corrupt dirtbags getting re-elected again, and again, and again. Bottom line is this: Until the masses figure out that their interests do not lie with the republicans and the democrats, they will continue to get the short end of the stick. And deservedly so……………
RR,
The bell curve is real. 50% will always be to the right of the mean and 50% will be to the left of the mean. Unless we institute intelligence tests to screen voters we have to deal with this simple fact. Terms limits, limits on the span of campaigns, and other measures are necessary to protect those to the right side of the bell curve from the capricious actions of those to the left side of the bell curve. The ideal is to create a society governed by just laws, not a society governed by the whims of a fickle, often ill-informed majority.
Which is why our founders formed a Republic, NOT a democracy!
McKinley Morganfield,
Only the far right democrat voters are a problem here? Seriously?
Well, given that mindset and your own criteria, this effectively eliminates you from the equation.
Damn right!Best post I’ve seen in years.Keep up the wisdom!
Research Vernon, NJ to see how to, non-violently, change your government. I’m not saying this is the roadmap for our federal government but it shows it can be done…….this is what we need to do.
Fine, have Congress vote amongst themselves as to whether to give their members term limits. Are you kidding?! Of course they won’t. They want to ride the gravy train for as long as possible.
Let them eat cake!
The politicians are working on a proposal put forth by President Obama this summer in the deficit reduction talks. This proposal would reduce social security increases and raise taxes on the poorest of Americans. It’s called Chained CPI.
Here is the definition of Chained CPI:
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chain-linked-cpi.asp#axzz1d5ertvci
And, here is the article describing the effects of this program on seniors and the poor:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-formula-would-reduce-apf-365864943.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=7&asset=&ccode=
If you live to 65, you will a decrease of $136. If you are fortunate to live another thirty years, you will see a decrease of $1392 – the balance of your social security check.
If you make between $10,000 and $20,000 in 2021, you will see your taxes increase by 14.5%. The richest Americans will see their taxes increase by 0.1%.
If these changes are enacted, there will be less people who qualify for government assistance.
The politicians claim that they are saving money when they talk about the prospect of passing this program into law. However, from my perspective, the politicians would be enacting a policy that kills seniors quicker and drives the poor into even greater desperate straits, while benefiting the rich even more. One representative, Rep. Xavier Becerra, openly admits to this when he said,
“”If you’re going to simply try to save money by changing the CPI, you can do that. But then be up front and tell seniors what you’re doing. You’re throwing them under the bus to save money.”
Colin, why should government pension payments even be increased with inflation. Private world pensions do not increase each year. If you are blessed to have a defined benefit pension, they stay at the same amount that you recieved when you retired. The government world is a fantasy in dreamland. Get your heads out of the clouds.
NOT true about defined benefit plans not having increases – most have COLA of some level each year, usually tied to some percentage of the CPI.
From Colin’s post:
If these changes are enacted, there will be FEWER (NOT less) people who qualify for government assistance.
Seeing too much of the wrong use of fewer vs. less, drives me nuts.
The tea party can push these corrupt politicians out of the republican party. The tea party is going to rein down holy hell on RINO politicians. They will be assaulted in the primaries. We will clean out the republican party and then defeat every radical leftwing nut case in the democratic party.
why dont uhave universalhealth ins? because uuurrrstupidamerikkkans
The problem of influence-buying and the money corrupting our political process won’t be solved unless a high “wall” is erected between politicians and those trying to use money to buy their influence and favor. The same applies for the rich using their money to essentially “buy” a seat in Congress.
Term limits are a start, but publicly-funded political campaigns may also be needed. Yes, it would cost the taxpayers – but the cost would be minor in return for the benefit. Establish a cap on how much can be spent on political campaigns, and then bar corporations and individuals from giving more than a token sum individually. If every candidate has the same taxpayer-funded cap in place, it disincentivizes the buying of votes by taking away one of the most powerful levers of the corrupt, namely the ability to outspend opponents and “buy” votes via campaign contributions.
We should also make it illegal – with stiff penalties to match – for any former politician or govt. worker to serve as a lobbyist for 10 years after holding any public office. Regs governing lobbyists should be rewritten to prohibit lobbyists from contributing language to bills in committee, as is often done now.
I agree with much of what you say. I favor a constitutional amendment to limit representatives to 2 four year terms, senators to 2 six year terms, and a ban on pensions for all elected federal officials. I also favor strict rules that would limit campaigns to 6 months before the general election. I especially agree with this: “We should also make it illegal – with stiff penalties to match – for any former politician or govt. worker to serve as a lobbyist for 10 years after holding any public office. Regs governing lobbyists should be rewritten to prohibit lobbyists from contributing language to bills in committee, as is often done now.”
Re: “Just as it has been for most of human history, the rich rule over the poor. Does anyone out there believe that we have any hope of changing this?” That’s exactly the defeatist response our permanent political class wants to read. Our system has been corrupted, true, but it can be saved if we the people are willing to make the necessary sacrifices and stay strong.
Such change may involve the “blood of patriots and tyrants, and the tree of liberty,” but that didn’t faze our forefathers – and it shouldn’t faze us. No wants wants an American revolution or civl war, pt. 2 – but our leaders must have no doubt that our demands for the restoration of the republic are non-negotiable. The motto of New Hampshire shold be our motto, “Live Free or Die!”
Well said!
It should be, Georgia, but we Americans have become pacified by our modern modern and often decadent lifestyles.
While the “relative” few that visit this site know what’s at stake, the rest of the country could probably honestly care less unless it interferes with their lives.
I have come to believe the system is broken and needs a complete reset. Individual liberty and collective tyranny cannot coexist forever. Throw in self indulgent elitist that seem hell bent on collapsing the economy and you have a recipe for bloodshed.
Well, it’s not new. If only those guys win who spend most on the elction campaign, then people from the People have no chance to ever get elected.
And look at yourself – whom do you elect to represent you? Not someone like you, but the handsome, rich, beautiful and famous.
“members of Congress often make investments in companies that will go up significantly if legislation that is being considered by Congress “goes the right way”.”
You could also call it insider trading which is criminal.
If every Congressional District in this country presented to their representative an identical list of demands that We the People want to be put to a vote on the House Floor, this country’s downward spiral would begin to reverse. If they ignore and/or try to ridicule our demands, they are recalled. We the People should relentlessly pursue this course of action until the cesspool called Congress is cleaned up. Unfortunately, Fox and others would crank up the noise machine against any action of this type and prompt (certain) Americans to fight each other in the street before they allowed us to take command of our own destiny. It could be done – but paid troublemakers are everywhere.
Term limits would be counter productive. A short time to profit would only cause Congress critters to increase their leverage. It would increase corruption because it would shorten time preference. There would be less incentive to behave ethically. Additionally the article fails to mention that insider trading is also legal for Congressional staff. Term limits would only increase the power of professional staff and K Street. The problem is power. Congress has power to sell and there are plenty of bidders. Unfortunately what unites ‘America’ is politics. We lack a common culture or religion and what is possessed is rapidly lessening. That leaves the government to impose order and resolve disputes. Law is a poor substitute for culture when it comes to resolving disputes and bringing social harmony. The only solution is to break up the United States into genuine nations, each possessing a genuine culture.
“The only solution is to break up the United States into genuine nations, each possessing a genuine culture.”
I disagree with regard to term limits, but I wholeheartedly agree with the above comment. I have long favored breaking apart the union and forming regional sovereign entities. Here in Iowa I want nothing to do with anything east of the Mississippi, west of the Rockies, or south of the Arkansas River.
I agree with you Mark, 1 term period.
And lets eliminate those big paychecks they get too.
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YES! NOW IS THE TIME TO FIGHT BACK!
Did you not get invited to the Prom or something? What is your deal?
A Greek commenter to this site once wrote that in the original election system of Greece, the birthplace of Democracy, representatives were elected by lottery – every citizens name was placed in a hat. A Ditch Digger could get a knock on his door (or hers?) and be informed that they were now a Senator.
A much much better system – that is if immigration laws are enforced and if amnesties of Illegal Aliens are unconstitutional.
I agree with the lottery idea. In fact, I decided a while ago that this would be a better system. We stick a pin in a phone book and send that person off to a job for one term, with the provisos that if they take bribes, if they give preference to friends, if they let a lobbyist write the laws, and if they leave to take a job with some company who profited via their legislation, we shoot them.
Yes, this harkens back to our humbler beginnings. Rag-tag farmers taking turns running the show – worked just fine!
Be sure to reelect your local US Representative or US Senator in Nov of 2012. Do that, and there will NEVER be any chance for substantive change for the better for average American citizens. And, while you are voting for the worthless cretin, check out the number of people in America living in DEEP POVERTY. Check out the number of children with food insecurity, or the number of elderly living in poverty. Americans do get what they vote for…..
“Average Americans have the perception that they are involved in the process and that their opinions really matter, but mostly it is just an illusion.”
Bingo!
There is only one way to bring this to an end now.
We all,or the ones who read this know what that is.
The Boston Tea Party started with much less taxes than we face now and they keep growing with more taxes or hidden taxes called FEES.
Good luck USSA (united socialist states of america)
an article like this burns me up.
I have to calm down and leave judgement and wrath to the Creator.
The 17th Amendment, along with a few others, should be repealed since it nationalized the Senate. Additionally, both Senators and Representatives should no longer be “employees of the federal government”, they should be employees of their respective States and the Legislatures of their States should determine the salary and benefits of their Congressmen. Such decisions should not be in the hands of Congress itself. Being responsible to their respective States would restrict not only Congressional pay raises, but it would also tighten the control over the Congress since they would no longer have a free reign to legislate as they like, but would be accountable to their individual States and the People.
What will eventually happen and it will be very unfortunate, it will take another revolution like what ocurred in the late 1700s.
America – God = no more America…..
close…
america – god = america
america * god = nothing
america + god = a few less intellegent con-men telling the masses they all suck and will suffer in hell for eternity, unless they give enough money to the church
america / god = division by zero does not compute
The foolishness of a man perverts his way, and his heart rages against the Lord… Prov. 19:3. The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.
Your absolutely right!
Try a little balance in your reporting. Name a few of the Democrats that have become very wealthy as well besides Pelosi.
I think that I am extremely, extremely hard on the Democrats in my articles.
Does anyone else think that I am too soft on them?
Michael
YOU EXPOSE BOTH DEMS AND REPUBLICANS CORRUPTION. I DONT THINK SOFT IS IN YOUR VOCABULARY WHEN IT COMES TO CONGRESS!!
maybe you should be calling more people out on both sides i think that would help wake people up. one big list.
I don’t think you’re hard on them. Rather I think you maintain a dispassionate analytical view, and are above degenerative name calling and habit bashing. You let people form their own opinions on the members of either party.
777
Al Gore, just to name ONE…
I do not believe there is any hope of changing this. Why would any one making the rules change the rules to their own detriment? The unfortunate fact is most of us would do exactly what they do if given the opportunity. They are not dependent on our piddly donations for re-election. They care about the big money from the corporations and the wealthy. The Republicans said they would focus like a laser on “Jobs-Jobs-Jobs” after the election. They have done nothing but pander to the rich and corporations and repetitiously put out redundant anti-abortion bills and stupid bills about the national motto and baseball coins. Nothing will change until a revolution takes place. Occupy Wall Street is just the beginning.
yee haaa
What would work better than term limits is to take away all of their perks, pensions, free everything and they can’t lobby after they leave office (for LIFE). They must be under our Social Security, health plans and NO pension (that would get them out of office fast). It would also save us a fortune.
Its the Old Boys Club on steroids. I see the same thing in local politics. There is no possible way to fix this mess.
I agree with term limits, but not 1 term…I’m thinking 4 two year terms for the House, 2 six year terms for the Senate…and no more than 14 years combined time in the Congress….
No pension, no lifetime medical. No “lifetime” ID cards that mark you as a member of the elite..
I worked for the TSA in a former life and saw a number of former senators and congress critters come through flashing their their senate or house ID cards even though they are no longer in elected office….Additionally, even though they were no longer in office they were always flying back to DC, I’m guessing to lobby some former colleague on this issue or that. The system is broken….badly broken.
The History Channel recently ran documentary done by DHS on how the government would continue should a nuke be set off in DC. You would be amazed by the level of shadow government already in place to “control us” should a terrorist attack occur.
Term limits are not the solution.
The problem is the systemic corruption and failure to uphold existing laws which would stop some of the plundering that is occuring.
We don’t need mre laws, we need them to simply be enforced better, in particular, with members of congress.
Moment Of Truth: The Republic is dead.
The only way to save the US is to abolish the treasonous Federal Gov’t and ALL its criminal agencies to the last, THEN reinstatute a Constitutional Gov’t and band ALL forms of corporate and even private contributions. Require each candidate to itemize each expense and where the money came from, and ANY candidtate caught circumventing these anti-corruption laws goes to jail,.. for life, bar none.
The last officaial act of a any government – To loot the country! (and that is exactly what we are witnessing.)
While I agree that you should not have insider trading going on anywhere, especially in congress. We all should be playing on a level playing field as far as our access to the same information. I do agree that people who cannot afford to take care of themselves should be encouraged not to have children. I don’t even know why they would need to be encouraged. I myself, would not want to have children if I was already on government assistance without them. Or I knew I would have to get on it, if I had them.
There is such a “one side or the other” mentality going on right now. Here is what I think. Government will not solve our problems they lied to us when they crated most of the social programs we have. We do need to take care of ourselves and stop believing that the Government is going to take care of us. Limit the size of them and taxes. Yes, there wont be social programs, just people helping people in need. I think the money will go a lot longer and further if it was in our pockets and we could give it to who we wanted to instead of giving it to the government to squander it away.
Just a thought, yes what we have sucks…its not right, and it needs to be fixed. What are we going to do to be part of the solution and not part of the problem?
There IS a reason our capital is called the “District of Criminals”.
Is it worth the time to get out and vote?
No. It’s all an illusion created swiftly and perfectly by the elite. All politicians are bought by the private, international bankers (elite) who fund their terms.
Michael,
As institutions, from the Executive Branch, (both President and Vice President) to both houses of Congress (House and Senate), to the U.S. Supreme Court, all institutions as a whole are bought and paid for, lock, stock, and banker………….
I do not now, and I never will have any confidence in any US government institution, at the federal, state, or local level. Anything that has establishment republican or democrat fingerprints on it is suspect at best, and irredeemably corrupt at worst. No branch of government can or should be trusted. And I will continue to laugh in the faces of the suckers and useful idiots who continue to support and vote for the establishment democrats and republicans who, using an apocalyptic scorched earth policy are responsible for destroying their (now asylum) state and turning the entire planet into a third-world mad-max style police state gulag which would cause even wild animals to flee in horror…………..
“… bought and paid for…”
Well then there is not a moment to waste. You should hurry up and buy up your favorite politicians!
I totally agree with term limits. There are congressmen that have been in office for several years. We need fresh ideas in order to help our economy.
Also, any law that congress passes, should apply to them as well. No more special cadilac health care plans. Let them use the same thing they are passing down to the rest of the US.
SEE LESLIE STAHL INTERVIEW OF JACK ABRAHAMOFF
Is it any wonder that national legislators don’t represent the middle class? Despite campaign finance provisions, Citizens United corrupts the entire financial picture for candidates and already elected congressmen. It’s not limited to any party, but the richest happen(?) to be right wingers.
I use the ‘campaign checkoff’ 1040 box to donate to federal elections, but won’t any more till there is less voter suppression, more direct election participation/voting and election financial reform. The fat cats are buying everything and everybody in sight with no relief for the struggling middle class.
I’m going to let my money do more talking nowadays by moving it/spending it where it ‘obstructs’ the wealth interests and promotes middle class values.
My guess when the house of cards finally falls, Congress will be removed. Either by the military to prison or by U.S. citizens to the ***********.
That would be nice, but Congress will actually use the military as their pawn to create their ideal world and send us to WWIII. They are no better than the private, international bankers. In fact, the are hired by them.
You are 100% on target with that comment. “Reports are being leaked that Iran definately has Nukes now. Just an excuse for more war.
Better keep prepping.
Why do we bother calling what congressmen do “service”? What are they sacrificing in their “service”? Certainly not their wealth, not their lives. Instead of service, we should call it what it really is, being elected to a term of being the “Object of Servitude”. If you want to know what service is, talk to a young enlisted man serving on the ground in a combat zone overseas, or an Occupy (insert city name here) Activist!
Here’s my 3 point plan to crack the democracy code:
1. Term limits: House (1 term) AND Senate (1 term).
2. As far as money goes, only evenly distributed public money to fund ALL Federal campaigns (probably state too) to the exclusion of ALL private monies (foreign and domestic) will crack that code. All candidates, semi-finalists and finalists in primaries and elections will receive equal distributions from the federal or state government, and the state will purchase equal air time on all participating networks for each candidate. Use or collection of private money will automatically disqualify a candidate for the remainder of the election cycle. (Oh by the way, The “Federal” Reserve has GOT TO GO!) Monetary Reform NOW!
3. Lastly, return the integrity of the vote. Do away with electronic voting machines that can be tampered with, and servers that compile the votes in a partisans basement two states away, and institute a 3 part paper voting receipt. One that goes to the local grand jury, one that goes to the sec of state via voting channels and one that the person keeps.
The two party monopoly on our political system is crippling our country. Dissolve the monopoly on debates and dissolve the monopoly on our choices. Repubocrats are not the answer.
Recommendations –
Watch: Murder, Spies and Voting Lies and The Secret of Oz (Bill Still),
Stop watching TV and Stop reading corporate media publications.
Look into Ron Paul 2012, he may be our best chance for the future of America.
Now you see why they will never cap executive pay, lol.
I have an MBA, IQ between 132 -137 (testing ranges)make Under 100k a year and I now have negative wealth for loss of equity on home…Elect People Like ME (No I am not running) But what if we stop electing politicians and start electing smart informed people?
Yes, Michael, you are extremely hard on Democrats. You are also extremely hard on Republicans. Too bad they deserve it!
We all agree there should be term limits – that should be the people’s #1 demand that Congress fix. The #2 demand should be that no Member of Congress is allowed to work for K Street – ever. #3, corporate contributions to election campaigns are prohibited, and individual contributions are capped. #4, they are on the same social security and health care programs as the rest of us. #5, no insider trading or you go to jail like Martha Stewart and the rest of us.
Is that too much for this country to agree upon? It would be a pretty good start. Wouldn’t hurt if they had to make public all financial holdings. We would then begin to see knowledgeable candidates that care about the well-being of this country.
How can we have a strong country if the majority of the citizens are down-trodden, sick and distrustful of the government?
I would just add to your campaign contributions, only individuals that are eligible to vote may contribute….
No money from Corporations, unions, people with green cards, no money from overseas, period.
I like more reasonable caps, and no more $38,000.00 dinners and $10,000.00 Photo Ops….What BS
See what did i tell you ,you are slaves and you always will be.
Let’s play the Devil’s advocate here, and see what this does:
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From Congress:
Listen to all these comments. What is the matter with you people? Is it the fault of Congress if you are all losers and can’t fend for yourselves? We in Congress live very good lives. If you don’t, well, whose fault is that, ours?
We care about our families, and aren’t afraid to work for a living. Just remember, if it wasn’t for us, you people wouldn’t have Food Stamps, Medicaid, Public Assistance, Unemployment insurance, or HEAP. We don’t need those things, you do, because the American people have no moral values against taking advantage of their neighbors; they have no motivation to get ahead; and they are always looking for a free meal ticket on the back of somebody else. Get a life.
As far as term limits are concerned, do you really think that we would pass any law against our own best interests that restricts our ability to ensure that we do the best we can to support the laziness of the people of the United States? Guess again.
We didn’t put you out of work. There are plenty of jobs out there if you want them, but it’s just too bad that you all can’t earn $50 an hour. Who do you think you are, some kind of special elite who deserves the good life like those of us who actually do something do?
In tough times, you flip a hamburger for minimum wage, and I don’t care if you have an Masters, or PHD degree. If you do, and have thousands of dollars of student loans hanging over your head, is that our fault? Nobody told you to use that money to party all the time, did they? And, you will pay it back if it takes the rest of your miserable lives to do so.
So, if you don’t like how we live on your tax dollars, live with it. We do, and we enjoy every minute of it. Eat your hearts out!
Sincerely,
Congress
PS: Just make sure you have your taxes ready by next April, as we intend to make the penalties for not paying your income taxes far more severe than they are now. After all, this nation is suffering economic hard times. I can’t write anymore here, because I have to leave for a vote on a new package that will extend our 100% medical benefit coverages for our selected friends.
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What do you people expect? Do you really think they are going to tell you what they think about you and your family before you get off your duffs and actually do something about this mess?
This is the American Dream and what you can do? Nothing.
This is a democracy.
Money is now controlling the decision making of almost a lot of people as the economy is going down. many considerations in going upward again. it is really crucial and wise things must be considered and done.
I don’t know why I even waste time posting no one listens.
the Bible says:
1. a gift in the hand perverts judgement
2. they frame mischief by a law
3. the LOVE of money is the root of ALL evil
4. you can not serve God and mammon(money)
5. choose you This day who you will serve
people have forsaken the right way and then marvel when the wicked have rule over them. its not a big mystery why this is allowed to happen. the only answer is repent and turn to the Lord Jesus with all your heart,.
You are wrong. People are listening. I read every comment on this blog and so do many others. I happen to agree with every point you make. You can’t give up. His Word will not return unto Him void.
We read…it sinks in…slowly
Calling for term limits is one the silliest wastes of time I can imagine.
Who in the world do you expect to vote themselves out of a HIGHLY lucrative and powerful position, with benefits that Joe Sixpack can’t even dream of?
Not gonna happen.
Next subject.
there are some noble ideas listed here, they may or may not make a difference. however i believe there is a way to fix the problems we have with congress. we must insist that all elected members of congress serve a mandatory two terms.
one term in office and one term in prison. problem solved.
How on Earth are we going to change the way Congress does business when they wont pass any legislation that would regulate there Earnings and Term Limits. You cant even elect new officials into congress because they become corrupt as soon as they are in office. The only way I see that we can do to change things is to have a Revolution, peaceful or not something has to be done. I would hope that a peaceful revolt would solve our Country’s problems but I don’t think it will be that easy.
Congress: Of the money, by the money, and for the money. That’s it in a nutshell.
Congress is the opposite of Progress. Don’t you already know that?! Heh!
This system is so ********************** up!
My Demands? Simple:
1) Revolution
2) ****************************
I say we all nominate Gary2 to the House, that way he will FINALLY be swimming in money and we can all pound on his door when we are in need. Lets just see how Mr. “Tax and Spread” handles that!!!!
Michael:
All this tells me is that come the Tribulation you will be infinitely grateful not to be in their shoes. The transfer of wealth is annoying to see, however, a few measly billion fiat dollars isn’t worth eternity in a very warm place (and I don’t mean Florida!).
You don’t mean “revelation”, do you, you ignorant twit? We all experience “tribulation”, noone yet has experienced “revelation”. Why? Because “revelation” in the religious sense is a tool to dominate others as is religion in general. Do you also believe in Santa Claus? No? Why not? Like god you never see him, he knows everything about you (when you are asleep or awake, whether you’ve been bad or good, etc.) Just like god, yes? Gadzooks people are gullible. More people have suffered horribly due to religion than to all wars in history. A warm place? I will take hell over heaven anytime!!!
For your information, God hates religion too. It’s true. Religion is man made rules which, unfortunately, get twisted…not what God intended. Get a bible and look it up. As for not seeing God, I can tell you as a Christian, I have heard him (mostly non-verbally. Yeah, it’s a little hard to explain. And no, I am not psychotic!;-)).
I really don’t think you need to resort to name-calling just because you choose not to believe the Truth. It really shows how ignorant, intolerant and close-minded you are. Besides, what do you care what I believe? And, hey, why all the hate? You really need to find the Truth soon, if for any other reason then to find happiness!!!
As for your last statement…well, I really feel bad for you. Because as the bible says, “God will not be mocked”. You just mocked him big time.
Reality Speaks The Cold Hard Truth,There Is No Hope What so Ever That These People Will Change,
The People Of This Country Were Fooled Again,And Again,And Again.I Just Do Not Understand How People Can Be So Gulliable,Blind And Ignorant To What Has Been Going On Over The Years That It Took To Come To This Point in Life.Now They Are Getting Screwed And Screwed Royally And They Don’t Like It.In One Of MY Previous Comments I Said That If A Politican Tells You “*************** You And The Horse You Rode In On” And To Believe Them,Well What Else Do You Need To Know? There is No Real Answer To This
Problem,We Must Remember That The Politicans Are
Well Protected,State Of The Art Bunkers,Food For Years,Military,Secret Service,The List Go’s
On, For A Long Time They Have Been Preparing For Trouble And At The Same Time Telling People Not To.That Everything Is Fine,How Many People Were Fooled By The Glib Tongue? Who Knows? How
Many Really Care? But Still Every Election Year They Go Out And Vote For The Same Politican That Is Screwing Them,So They Must Like The Results. I Do Not Feel Sorry For AnyBody That Cannot Figure It Out. In Other Words,”Get A Life”
It is coming…. the OWS crowd is coming Nancy. You think they like you with all your millions? I would be watching my back if I were you Nancy. They will come to take your money and ****************. I would hate to be a politician in Washington these days.
Hey I got a great idea? How about we tax all the ass clowns in congress and the White house and spread the wealth???Any takers besides me?
For once i agree with gary2!
I’m with you, but let’s include the uber-wealthy, too.
Really Pete.
How are you going to do that? It has been tried many times, but those pesky “uber-rich” will simply move to another country that wont tax their effort.
Just so you know, you cannot raise the income tax to get at them. You cannot raise the capital gains tax and get at them. Why? As soon as you do, their money goes elsewhere. They could simply take it out of the system altogether and live out their life in the Bahamas and it wouldn’t hurt them one iota.
The US on the other hand will die, slowly and painfully as all of the banks close up and the government defaults. Then all of your money will be worthless.
If you are talking about taking their money from them directly, then you are a THIEF!!! You have also started a slippery slope which WILL eventually get to your and YOUR money.
That doesn’t take into account the money extorted from industries they’re about to “reform”. I’d love to know how many congressmen and senators have Swiss bank accounts.
Yes, while denying us average citizens the wealth protection of off-shore accounts. Good question!!!!
Wow so much money being spent by congress on themselves (those greedy bastards) and yet we have McCain proposing that we cut the retired military pensions & reduce their medical care.
WHAT A CROCK OF CRAP!
Our politicians vote for their own pay raises, get a TON for cost of living raises AND gigantic retirement pensions that continue to increase on top of what this article points out.
IF only there was a way to get all those crooks out of office & replace them with ppl of honor & integrity.
sigh…
Not to mention an elite health care account for the rest of their lives. Even if they only serve two years.
It sucks having to listen to super rich people debate issues that effect us poor and middle class people.
These stats are thoroughly disgusting, and most Americans have no idea. I have realized for years the corruption, but not to this extent. I’am a small buisness owner and try to educate my employees and customers about the corruption, but most people do not want to hear
anything about it and they keep reelecting the
same old/new loosers.
Are you kidding. All that money is the spillover they couldn’t hide. IMO they got away with lots more, but their laughter will be for but a season.
fc
You know you have a namesake that is a MOH Recipient?
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except throuh him… John 14:6… For God did not send his son to condemn the world,but that the world might be saved through him… John 3:17…. He who believes in him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.