Is It November Yet???

Thinking About Politics...

Here we are in the middle of a presidential election, and I find myself ready to vote for none of the above. There are 100 U.S. Senators, 435 Congressmen and women, 9 members of the United States Supreme Court, and one president, all of whom have vowed to defend and uphold the constitution of the United States of America, all of whom make themselves exempt from the laws that they pass “for our welfare.”

We have become, not a nation of laws, but a nation of liars. And the 545 people in power in our nation’s capital are completely responsible for the overwhelming level of gross incompetence and corruption. It is amazing to me that both major parties are against high inflation and high taxes, and yet we have both. They are against the federal deficit and it continues to grow. They are against pork-barrel spending, as long as it doesn’t effect the spending that takes place in their districts. Which bring me to another question. When you and I are out of money, which happens with alarming frequency, are we allowed to spend more of the money we don’t have? Or better yet, the money that our children and grandchildren’s children don’t have? I didn’t think so.

The president proposes a federal budget. The House of Representatives approves it, and votes on appropriations. They write the tax code, they set fiscal policy, and pass bills with amendments that have nothing to do with the original purpose of the bill. Once we send a representative to Washington, we have to trust them to do the work of the people, and to represent our best interests. What they do accomplish, by and large, is overshadowed by petty bickering and self-serving politicking. In the creation of this nation, the founding fathers envisioned a democracy where citizens of good will would participate in the running of the country, and return to their private lives after serving the public on a temporary basis. NO WHERE did they expect that a politician would be an actual long term career.

If there is a budget deficit, it is because the politicians want it. If we have trillions in national debt, it is because they have allowed it. If we are taxed in order fund policies we don’t agree with, it’s because it is their say, not ours that matters most in Congress. But I don’t wish to complain. I want to offer the following solutions:

1. Each elected official should be limited to one six-year term in office. That’s it. No extensions and no exceptions. That way the first term won’t be spent trying to get to the second term. And there is no lack of fresh blood and talent waiting to participate in the process.
2. The salary paid to each congressman should be equal to the average salary paid to the average individual living in their district/state. And no more than a simple cost of living increase as mandated by Medicare.
3. No lifetime benefits and pensions to the outgoing legislators. They will be subject to the average retirement plan currently available in the private sector.
4. If a budget is submitted or passed that does not stay neutral or raise income, the responsible parties will make up the deficit with their own salaries. Let’s face it, if the average person bounces a check, they have to come up with the money, right?
5. As far as the process goes, there should be a line on the ballot for each elected official that reads “NONE OF THE ABOVE.” It would allow the electorate to voice their dissatisfaction with the candidate choices, and if that line wins, then there should be a way to put the election on hold pending the selection of other candidates to vote for.

Now these are just some ideas I would advance, but it clear to me that something needs to be done to keep this country from falling into a third class status. I would love to hear from others about their opinions, and maybe together, some fresh ideas can catch fire in what Obama and McCain seem to call a “season of change.”