Redesigned Congress:
We are up against powerful corrosive forces in our government: Republican radicalism, Democratic apathy, and way too much outside influence. Congress needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. But it needs to be designed from the top down. The fundamental way Congress does its thing needs to be reworked.
We have to understand the pieces of the government, the way the founders created it. The Legislative branch makes the laws, the Executive branch makes sure the laws are enforced, and the Judicial makes sure the laws written are legal.
It is evident that the government of the United States of America is in serious trouble. Lobbying, corruption, influence peddling and vote buying are big problems here. Too much time and money is spent on re-election and lobbying entertainment. Not nearly enough is spent on doing the work government is designed to do. Political poles have never been farther apart. Religious influences play far too big a role in most of the issues listed above. If religions are willing to pay taxes they can have a voice. As long as they are tax-exempt they should have no input into the operation and decisions of the government or policy making or influence.
I think a school should be mandatory for every voting citizen and should cover things like the budget, the economy, the roles of the three branches of government, the role of government in the citizen's lives. This idea may be impractical but it could come in the form of infomercials and/or PSAs. Like the Smokey the Bear ads of the fifties and sixties.
My ideas here are just seeds, not the end product. Some of them may have life, some not. There are undoubtably many other issues I've not put in that are more important than these alone. Add them in.
These issues are off the top of my head, not in order of priority. Well, a little organizing...
LOBBYING AND INFLUENCE PEDDLING
No lobbying.
Remove and disallow any influence from religious groups. None.
No corporate influence or vote buying.
No corporate gifts like free vacations or plane rides.
Since corporations are really not people, they have no input in elections, platforms and issues.
Assure that money and other resources are provided to enforce civil rights laws and the protection of the citizenry. law enforcement should shift its priority of corporate protection to citizen protection.
End of special-interests.
ELECTIONS
Two terms only for all legislators. Maybe three terms for Senators and four terms for Representatives.
No negative campaign ads.
No charge for 100 minutes per ad per candidate of tv ads for three months prior to the primaries and general elections.
A limit of one Million dollars per election (fundraising and spending) per state affected by election cycles.
PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION
Pay commensurate with performance. Base pay: $50000 per year. For every bill authored $1000, for every bill co-authored $500. For every bill passed, $500. For every daily session missed, deduct $500.
Congress's retirement is no different that an ordinary citizen's retirement.
Sitting members will not be allowed to hold stock or have any other interest in any business during their term.
If an elected official makes a statement that is untrue or misleading, their performance rating will be degraded and their pay adjusted accordingly. While doing any government-related function they are "under oath" and liable under penalty of law.
PROCEDURAL BUSINESS
Simple majority, return to the simple majority for most legislation -- basically the pre-1970s (change to 60 votes to pass a bill).
Outlaw the filibuster. Part of the idea of a democracy is to work out differences through communications. Or how about a minibuster? They get to take over for two hours, then vote.
Bills need to be simplified and understandable by most voting citizens.
No more riders on bills.
Any amendments have to have a direct bearing on the intent of the bill.
If a legislator has a small piece of stuff, write it up as a bill, enter it through the normal procedures.
ISSUES
Women have the right to say what they can do to their bodies.
The SNAFU that allowed corporations to become citizens gets dealt with and solved. If a corporation can take his/her pulse, drive to the Capitol Building, walk up the stairs, find and enter the appropriate room, take a seat, swear under oath, answer all questions and sweat under questioning, they will be able to vote. Not a representative, product or some other facsimile.
Legalize marijuana and cocaine, tax their sales and control what age limit can buy it at retail stores - just like alcohol. Remove it from the dangerous drugs list all together.
Legalize marriage between any two humans.
Affirm that if we are to be the land of the free, kill that stupid part of the Defense Authorization bill for 2011 regarding indefinite detention of American citizens. Modify or kill the Patriot Act for its infringement on the civil rights of American citizens.
Make the Defense Department justify its budget.
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