Congress is exempt from certain things, like using insider information when making stock trades (until recently anyway). It’s more about the fact that all laws don’t apply to them due to these exemptions. Stating the reverse prevents congress from enacting laws to give them exemptions and special benefits. I’d expand it to say that congress is only entitled to anything that is provided to the average citizen.
Congress doesn’t need to make laws that only apply to them – they only need to authorize subsidies and regulations the benefit businesses and industries that they own interest in.
As far as I know, nobody has ever proposed a Federal law that only applies to Congressmen, so the “proposed” amendment is completely pointless.
BTW – there’s another “28th amendment” proposal out there that I like even better – although most of it really should be policy changes rather than a constitutional amendment –
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 when they are
out of 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 the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all 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 the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.
I like the concept, but it hasn’t got a snowballs chance in hell of passing
What’s this a commentary on?
Also, there’s a difference between a law applying to everybody and the law being enforced equally.
Congress is exempt from certain things, like using insider information when making stock trades (until recently anyway). It’s more about the fact that all laws don’t apply to them due to these exemptions. Stating the reverse prevents congress from enacting laws to give them exemptions and special benefits. I’d expand it to say that congress is only entitled to anything that is provided to the average citizen.
Thanks.
For once I agree with Korinthian. Also, I support the proposed amendment.
Congress doesn’t need to make laws that only apply to them – they only need to authorize subsidies and regulations the benefit businesses and industries that they own interest in.
As far as I know, nobody has ever proposed a Federal law that only applies to Congressmen, so the “proposed” amendment is completely pointless.
*THAT benefit
BTW – there’s another “28th amendment” proposal out there that I like even better – although most of it really should be policy changes rather than a constitutional amendment –
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 when they are
out of 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 the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all 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 the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.
I like the concept, but it hasn’t got a snowballs chance in hell of passing
This would be awesome.
Number 8 isn’t really legally viable, but it would be cool.