Rep. Johnson Pushes Bill Taking Up Perry's Part-Time Congress Proposal

Fox News ^ | January 15, 2012 | Lexi Stemple

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's part-time Congress proposal has become the blueprint for a bill Rep. Timothy Johnson, an Illinois Republican, will introduce next week.

The Citizen Legislators Act would limit the days Congress works to five per month, or 60 business days per session.

It also would cut the salaries of representatives and senators in half. But like Perry's plan, Johnson's bill allows members to have jobs outside of Congress. The caveat is that their income cannot be earned as "a result of the privilege of their office, such as speaking tours, lobbying and consulting."

Like Perry, Johnson says he was motivated by "mounting anger over Washington spending and gridlock." He claims his bill could save up to $2 billion a year.

“The Citizen Legislator Act may not be a perfect instrument in the eyes of Washington insiders, but it is a beginning step in righting the ship,” Rep. Johnson said.

Johnson's office says the idea came from Perry's Uproot and Overhaul Washington plan.

The congressman's staff members talked with Perry's policy advisors while drafting the bill and called Perry's campaign Thursday morning to notify them of the press release about their bill.

Perry says he supports the bill. "I believe members of Congress should spend less time in Washington and more time living at home under the laws they pass with the people they represent," Perry said in a written statement.

Both use similar language about Americans being tired of "out-of-touch politicians," who spend time working on unneeded government projects.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Rick Perry on Congressional Insider Trading [:24]

******************

Nov. 13, 2011: “Pelosi fires back at ‘60 Minutes’ report on ‘soft corruption’”

“Pelosi and her husband participated in an initial public offering of Visa in 2008, according to CBS. They bought 5,000 shares at the initial price of $44; two days later, shares were trading at $64, CBS said.”.......... Source

Pelosi Bashes Catholics: 'They Have This Conscience Thing'... “After having some of her behind the scenes shenanigans exposed, Nancy Pelosi has turned to her friends in the MSM to help her with damage control. The effect is something akin to watching what scrambles out after you overturn a large rock.

Pelosi sought to defend herself from allegations that she and her husband made millions from insider trading in what the Washington Post calls a wide ranging interview……..

[Cincinatus' Wife]

K-Street to Wall Street:

Carlyle Group, Bain Capital, And The Tax Treatment Of 'The Carry'

[tirednvirginia]

Wow!!! Hope this catches fire. Tea Party members should come out in droves to support this.

People here who made fun of Perry on this issue should take notice.

[Bizhvywt]

Great. Consider all the recess appointments the Zero can make.

[tirednvirginia]

Not if he is not president.

[txrangerette]

Bump!

This is one reason why Perry’s candidacy is ground breaking, and why, current horse race numbers notwithstanding, his contribution is invaluable and historic.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

U.S. judge hears Va. primary ballot case today

[I cannot think of a name]

This is not a dig at Perry, but the reason for the success in Texas is that the legislature only meets every other year. If we could get it changed to once every four years, we would rule the planet.

It is almost impossible to have too little government.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Perry has said he would campaign for people running for office that want a balance budget and a return to states rights. It’s time to push for this and get control back to the people — local control of our affairs and our money.

WE DO NOT NEED, in fact it works AGAINST freedom, people sitting in DC working tirelessly to enact Federal laws and regulations.

[Jacquerie]

Correct.

To leave Obama home alone with zero oversight would grant him de-facto dictatorial powers.

No thanks.

[FryingPan101]

A spine is a marvelous sight to behold.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Biggest problem is, they’ve decided to do what they’re not supposed to do, while not doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

[txrangerette]

First, this could not come to pass with Obama as President. A bill has to pass both legislative bodies and be signed by the President. At this point it won’t pass, but even if it did, O would never sign.

Second, there wouldn’t be all this recess appt. jazz, anyway...if I understand this, Congress would come and get their work done, then go home.

Like in Texas, you don’t consider our reps “in recess” between lawful sessions, because they aren’t. They are either in lawful session, or they are done until the next lawful session.

The way it is now in DC, Congress goes on breaks but is subject to call...therefore is said to be in recess.

This would be very different.

[shield]

Perry Ping....

IF you'd rather NOT be pinged FReepmail me.

IF you'd like to be added FReepmail me. Thanks.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

[mylife]

Perry’s “part time congress” notion is a good one but it has flaws.

National congress is already “part time”, the problem is that their benefits are “full time”

What Mr Perry needs to highlight is the notion that these people need to live by the same laws that they pass.
He has said as much, many times, but the message just is not being heard by the masses and its being ignored by the people in power.

I like Rick Perry, but the deck seems to be stacked against him.
That said, I still think he is just what this country needs.
I admire that he speaks from the heart.

[Jukeman]

A sixty day congress would be good for the country and maybe recess appointments could be banned.

[txrangerette]

That is not what would happen.

[mylife]

Imagine.... Bureaucrats minimized...

What a wonder that would be.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You can recognize how the other candidates have incorporated much of Perry's platform into their talking points.

Perry: Uproot and Overhaul Washington

The Perry Plan: Energizing American Jobs and Security

The Perry Economic Plan: Cut, Balance and Grow

[txrangerette]

Recess appts wouldn’t need to be banned.

If by law a session lasted sixty days and was over until the next session, it would not be “in recess” during the between time.

Recess is when they go on breaks but are subject to the call of the Chair.

That isn’t what this is.

[mylife]

Compare and contrast....

Perry wants to force congress to live within the laws they pass and make their bread and butter in their home districts rather than getting fat on capitol hill.

Obama, has filled his cabinet from top to bottom with Chicago thugs that are all about looting the people by being godfathers and capos.

It’s black and white to me

[ExCTCitizen]

You mean the congressional people would have to get a real job? I likethat idea.

[shield]

His Boots Were Made for Walkin' - Rebecca Winterowd

[txrangerette]

Correct...they certainly have.

Far as I know, he stands alone in calling for them to go back home and get real jobs, live under the laws they pass and have pay cut in half to reflect their reduced work days.

I had a thought...this might sit well with some, not all, but I like the idea of a “new sheriff in town” theme.

In the old West, a Sheriff free and clear of the good ol’ boy network and the always done it this way mentality and the internal corruption, could come in and clean up a town, where a man from inside the town could not get it done.

Perry stresses this idea of outsider but I like the Sheriff cleaning up the town image. Might as well play your srongest card...what is there to lose?

Of course everyone with a stake in the status quo will fight you...they will put forward any idea except that one, and will put forward any person except that person.

But with their vote, America’s citizens hold the high card.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

‘NEW SC POLL: Romney 29%, Gingrich 25%, Paul 20%” Perry 9% passing Santorum trending up! @GovernorPerry #SC’ #perry2012 #sc

[mylife]

I wish people could get past the colloquialisms/stereotypes and hear what Perry is saying.

Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity et al are pissing me of with this notion that Perry is attacking Capitalism.

[marty60]

Funny everyone likes Perry’s ideas but vote for the candidates that will not support those ideas.

Just saw Zero on TV claiming he’s going to get rid of agencies and departments that are redundant.

Guess they are starting to claim the policies that conservs (real) have been yelling about for 3 years.

[mylife]

DO we have SC debates this weekend?

[marty60]

You expect him to win in 2012?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Fox Debate — Monday 9PM EST.

[lonestar]

Great. Consider all the recess appointments the Zero can make.

You think Reid wasn't in on the latest?

[mylife]

Thanks.

[altura]

Really. So true.

This will not be popular with congress critters sitting on their fat butts, which is probably why Rick Perry isn’t getting much support from the establishment.

Someone on another thread cited a new poll showing Rick Perry passing Rick Santorum in SC polling. Has anyone else seen that?

[mylife]

I guess it doesn’t matter if we have debates or not.

People do what they are going to do.
“Perry sucks at debates, Cain is kicking ass in the debates, Newts the MAN!”

Next month Trump will announce that he is the conservative savior and the mush heads will rally round.

[lonestar]

Obama does a good imitation of being a dictator from Hawaii!

With the communication systems available today, why do they need to be in D.C.?

You think they earn their salaries and benefits...and retirement is a real joke! Actually, they shouldn't have a retirement pension from congress.

It would get rid of some of the Robert Byrds being there in comas.

[lonestar]

Obama does a good imitation of being a dictator from Hawaii!

With the communication systems available today, why do they need to be in D.C.?

You think they earn their salaries and benefits...and retirement is a real joke! Actually, they shouldn't have a retirement pension from congress.

It would get rid of some of the Robert Byrds being there in comas.

[altura]

Me, too. Especially Rush, who I expect better of, but I’m afraid just this once, he has been influenced by his love for a company, i.e. Bain.

You can be pro business which Perry has a proven record on and still anti-corruption within business.

[mylife]

BTW Rush, Trump is the worst thing that could ever come down the conservative pike.

What a poser.

[altura]

If only Perry could get a bounce in SC and move past Santorum, people will have to take a new look at him and I think he would soar in popularity after that.

Let’s hope that this polling holds up and continues in that direction.

If Perry passes Santorum, it will be between Perry and Newt and, well, there is really no comparison.

[dsutah]

Didn’t he just create one? He just created one with Richard Cordray as the leader/chairman!

[mylife]

Sarah Palin rooted out BS within our own party.

Some of these fat ****’s really do think they are above we little people.

I understand their intellectual argument, but thy are using position and power to bludgeon me when I speak up.

I am sick the whining over the Bain thing.

Romney IS a corporate raider!

[lonestar]

Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare!

Another thing that really chaps me--

They continue to get paid when they are running around campaigning.

I think they should not be allowed BY LAW to campaign or raise campaign funds before a designated date before the elections.

Horror!!! that they should have to run on their record. Their opponents should be allowed to spend more and campaign longer. Incumbents are a BIG problem!

[mylife]

Santorum voted against “right to work”

I don’t understand why this guy is getting a pass on scrutiny.

[marty60]

Oh I didn’t say he would actually do it. Just says he is/S

He also announced a NEW CABINET position. Small Business Cabinet Secretary.

Obama REALLY thinks the American People are IDIOTS.

ZERO IS A LIAR.

[baysider]

In addition to the Fox debate on Monday -

January 14, 2012

Huckabee Forum 2

8pm ET on Fox News (taped broadcast)
Location: Sottile Theatre at the College of Charleston, South Carolina
Sponsor: Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Congressman Tim Scott (R-SC) and Fox News
Participants: Romney, Perry, Gingrich, Santorum, Huntsman (Unofficial list)

http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2011-2012-primary-debate-schedule/

[lonestar]

True...and I hadn't thought about it that way.

I just know I like the way we do it.

BTW, I went to a GOP meeting last night. Due to really cold weather we had a small turnout but one of those present was our state representative.

He doesn't live in my county but he has the time to meet with and get feedback from the people who sent him to Austin. BTW, he is recognized as one of the most conservative Republican legislators. He is a young black man, named White, who defeated a long term Democrat ...in Southeast Texas!

[Jacquerie]

I never said they earned their exorbitant salaries and benefits. They don't. They should, however, obey the 27th Amendment.

The sorry fact is that Congress passes only a small fraction of the “law” we live by. The vast majority of what oppresses us come from unelected agencies under the control of Hussein.

What little, very little Congress accomplishes is in the form of oversight hearings. Absent Congress, Hussein would have nearly complete freedom to rule as the dictator he would like to be.

[altura]

The problem is Santorum won’t get a pass if he manages to get the nomination.

All his flaws will be brought up then and multiplied.

Why would SC vote for a non right-to-work guy?

[lonestar]

The sorry fact is that Congress passes only a small fraction of the “law” we live by. The vast majority of what oppresses us come from unelected agencies under the control of Hussein.

So why don't we get rid of them? Give it back to the states!

Do you think we in Texas don't care about the air we breathe? Do you think we need the oppressive Obama administration threatening to close TX refineries...because they want to drive up the price of gasoline?

Congress formed the depts. and committees and that is how they gain their power and control each other...with chairmanships and longevity.

They are self-serving!

[World'sGoneInsane]

You can recognize how the other candidates have incorporated much of Perry's platform into their talking points.

LOL...Perry said, "We need to restore America," at one point. I made that my tagline. Two weeks later I see that sign hung up behind Romney. I changed my tagline.

Yes, they have incorporated Perry's platform. Actually, they have stolen his words continuously. However, they cannot steal his loyal supporters.