Posted on 11/20/2011 6:11:12 AM PST by Thad Lost
Mark Twain is credited with the witticism that says, No mans life, liberty or property is safe while Congress is in session.
There is no telling what Mark Twain would say if he could see todays Congress. Humor aside, the remark is right on target.
What can we do about it?
Rick Perry has a pretty good idea about what we can do about Congress. Make it part time.
Congress spends far too much time in Washington and there is little they do that we can really consider worthwhile. What does Congress do?
For starters, it spends money. It spends more money than we have. It also likes to have pointless hearings that either have all of the fairness of one of Stalins show trials or are the opportunity to have some ignorant celebrity to pontificate on something.
(Excerpt) Read more at teapartynation.com ...
Yes!
Congress already works a part time schedule. The question should read “Should we cut Congressional pay in half?”.
Yes, yes, yes, and more yes!!!
They work part-time anyway. Don’t they have every Friday and every Monday morning off... plus most of the summer.
They can’t do any harm when they aren’t in DC.
IMHO, there should be barely more than just state governments. the President should be a figurehead like the Queen of England is. A secretary of state for foreign affairs, and a Dept of Defense that the states pay for.
The hell with the rest of them!
State legislatures are part time.
Why not the Fed ?
Yes , ..most of Congress should be part-time employment.
However , some standing committees , especially those of ethics violations and possible illegal behavior should be full-time.
Given the rate that the “Just-us” Department is releasing information on “Fast and Furious” to Congressional committees, information will be dribbled out until the 23rd century.
We have all learned by expierience how the Executive Branch has created ‘Czars’ by Executive Fiat when Congress has not been in session. Such actions by the Executive branch need to be more restricted or contained in order to prevent further erosion of citizens’ rights .
It was EXPECTED to be a part-time body. That’s why Article 1 stipulates a minimum number of days that they must convene. The expectation was that it would be difficult to get them to show up in the first place.
While we’re at it we need to cut the presidency back to a less dictatorial role. George Washington treated it as a largely ceremonial role.
BTTT
I would prefer that they were restricted to one six year term, work overtime and then throw them out to get a real job than they work part time for infinity.If they are restricted to one term they will be forced to have the best interests of the nation at heart rather than their reelection campaign. Also no reason for them to be accepting campaign contributions or lobbyists to be giving them money.In such a one term environment any money donated to them can be characterized as a bribe rather than a campaign contribution.
(The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 20th Amendment, section 2.)
2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
Where does it specify the minimum length of session??
That would put a lot of high priced DC madames and call girls out of work.
Without doing that, all you will have accomplished is giving them even more time off to spend their millions they've made on the side.
Click the pic to read the first few pages of this book which gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.
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they are at the state level... and they only get paid about $20-30k/yr
works fine
Article I stipulates that they meet annually. It does not stipulate the number of days. In fact Congress sets its own schedule. Perry can say that they will only meet 5 months out of the year, for example, and Congress can tell him to go pound sand and meet for 12.
Is this a trick question?
Yes
Power hates a vacuum. If you cut Congress in half, where will that legislative and regulatory power flow?
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