Freedom & Fairness

[Ditchtiger]

Subject: Freedom & Fairness

There is nothing wrong with trying and failing. There is however,
something wrong with failing to try."


Governors of 35 states have already filed suit against the Federal
Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38
(of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please
pass it on. An idea whose time has come!

For far too long we have been complacent about the workings of
Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could
retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically
exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as
being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment)
while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest was to
exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform ... in all of its forms.
Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is
above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican,
Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop, but how?

A Constitutional Convention - is a good way to do that. It is an
idea whose time has come.

I'm asking each addressee to forward this E-mail to a minimum of
twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do
likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America
will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be
passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to

the United States Constitution

"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the
United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or
Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the
Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the
citizens of the United States "

 

[Sky]

Make it so.

 

[LHRGunslinger]

Damn fine idea.

 

[ohgrady]

For far too long we have been complacent about the workings of
Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could
retire with the same pay after only one term

While I'm no fan of the average politician, that is not quite how it works:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm

"Prior to 1984, neither Members of Congress nor any other federal civil service employee paid Social Security taxes. Of course, the were also not eligible to receive Social Security benefits. Members of Congress and other federal employees were instead covered by a separate pension plan called the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The 1983 amendments to the Social Security Act required federal employees first hired after 1983 to participate in Social Security. These amendments also required all Members of Congress to participate in Social Security as of January 1, 1984, regardless of when they first entered Congress. Because the CSRS was not designed to coordinate with Social Security, Congress directed the development of a new retirement plan for federal workers. The result was the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986.

Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested after five years of full participation.

Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In 1984 all members were given the option of remaining with CSRS or switching to FERS.

As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.

Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.

The amount of a congressperson's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary."

That being said, I do agree any law passed upon the subjects..... I mean citizens should be applicable to those who pass the legislation.

 

[Old Fuff]

In a few weeks we will have an opportunity to show all of the members of congress, and 1/3 of the senators what can happen when they get too far out of line. Hopefully we will all send them a message that they will clearly understand. The elites can't be elite if they have to go back and work for a living...

 

[Old krow]

Governors of 35 states have already filed suit against the Federal
Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38
(of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

Do you know which states have NOT done so? I remember seeing the information once before, but can't remember now. It might be helpful for everyone to know where their state is standing on this.