Members of the Senate and House of Representatives are completely detached from those of us who live regular lives, raise families, and struggle with escalating medical and cost of living expenses. It's time to bring Congress down to Earth and eliminate the caste system in America.  Below are the highlights of the 2011 Congressional Reform Act:

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 1.    No Tenure - No Pension.  Members of Congress shall collect a salary while in office and receive no pay when they are out of office.  They may purchase their own retirement plans, just as all Americans do, provided such purchases are made with their own personal funds.  No funds from lobbyists or any other third parties may be used to purchase retirement plans.

 

 2.    Social Security.  Effective January 1, 2012, all Members of Congress (past, present & future) must participate in Social Security.  All funds in the Congressional retirement fund will immediately move to the Social Security system in preparation for the changeover.  All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.  The Social Security Fund may not be used for any other purpose.

 

 3.    Pay Raises.  Members of Congress may no longer vote themselves pay raises, and pay will not automatically increase every year.  Future congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%, but in no case will escalate at a higher rate than Social Security benefits.

 

 4.    Health Care System Changes.  Effective January 1, 2012, all Members of Congress will lose their current health care system, and must participate, at their own expense, in the same health care system as the American people.  In other words, Congress will have the privilege of enjoying the same health care system as the American people, as well as the privilege of paying for it personally.  Under no circumstances will any health care for Congress be paid for with taxpayer dollars.

 

 5.    No Caste System.  Effective immediately, Members of Congress must abide by all laws they impose upon the American people.  There will no longer be a caste system in America.

 

 6.    Voting Transparency.  All Members of Congress shall be required to vote in person and ensure that his/her vote is recorded accurately.  A transparent, easily-accessed record of each member’s voting record shall be available upon request.

 

 7.    All Contracts Void.  Effective January 1, 2012, all contracts with past and present Congressmen are void.  All of said contracts were made by Members of Congress, without input or approval of American citizens.  Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

 

 8.    Ban on Lobbying Work.  No Member of Congress shall work as a lobbyist, on any level (whether federal, state, or local, formal, or informal) for a period of ten (10) years after the end of his/her term of office.

 

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