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Should we make Congress a Part time body?
Tea Party Nation ^ | 11/20/11 | Tea Party Nation

Posted on 11/20/2011 6:11:12 AM PST by Thad Lost

Mark Twain is credited with the witticism that says, “No man’s life, liberty or property is safe while Congress is in session.”

There is no telling what Mark Twain would say if he could see today’s 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 Stalin’s show trials or are the opportunity to have some ignorant celebrity to pontificate on something.

(Excerpt) Read more at teapartynation.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: congress; legislature; part; time
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1 posted on 11/20/2011 6:11:15 AM PST by Thad Lost
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To: Thad Lost
Should we make Congress a Part time body?

Yes!

2 posted on 11/20/2011 6:12:39 AM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: Thad Lost

Congress already works a part time schedule. The question should read “Should we cut Congressional pay in half?”.


3 posted on 11/20/2011 6:15:22 AM PST by csmusaret (The only borders Obama has closed is a bookstore.)
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To: Thad Lost

Yes, yes, yes, and more yes!!!


4 posted on 11/20/2011 6:19:56 AM PST by mtnwmn (Liberalism leads to Socialism)
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To: Thad Lost

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.


5 posted on 11/20/2011 6:20:43 AM PST by Reagan69 (I supported Sarah Palin and all I got was a lousy DVD !)
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To: Thad Lost

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!


6 posted on 11/20/2011 6:21:20 AM PST by diverteach (If I find liberals in heaven after my death.....I WILL BE PISSED!!!)
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To: Reagan69

State legislatures are part time.
Why not the Fed ?


7 posted on 11/20/2011 6:21:54 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Thad Lost

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 .


8 posted on 11/20/2011 6:23:33 AM PST by Tilted Irish Kilt ( (The Obama Adminstration: 2nd wave of attacks on America after 9/11) by GlockThe Vote)
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To: Thad Lost

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.


9 posted on 11/20/2011 6:24:48 AM PST by Adams (Fight on!)
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To: EGPWS

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.


10 posted on 11/20/2011 6:28:47 AM PST by cripplecreek (Stand with courage or shut up and do as you're told.)
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To: EGPWS

BTTT


11 posted on 11/20/2011 6:44:42 AM PST by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
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To: Thad Lost

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.


12 posted on 11/20/2011 6:47:38 AM PST by chuckee
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To: Adams
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be on the first Monday in December,) unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

(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??

13 posted on 11/20/2011 6:53:58 AM PST by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
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To: Thad Lost

That would put a lot of high priced DC madames and call girls out of work.


14 posted on 11/20/2011 7:02:16 AM PST by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: Thad Lost
Making Congress a part-time body will do nothing if you don't prevent them exempting themselves from the laws they pass for the rest of us such as engaging in insider trading.

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.


Click here or the pic to read first few pages

15 posted on 11/20/2011 7:02:58 AM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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16 posted on 11/20/2011 7:04:02 AM PST by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: Thad Lost

they are at the state level... and they only get paid about $20-30k/yr

works fine


17 posted on 11/20/2011 7:09:48 AM PST by sten (fighting tyranny never goes out of style)
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To: Adams
That’s why Article 1 stipulates a minimum number of days that they must convene.

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.

18 posted on 11/20/2011 7:12:11 AM PST by SoJoCo
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To: Thad Lost

Is this a trick question?

Yes


19 posted on 11/20/2011 7:25:44 AM PST by DownInFlames
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To: Thad Lost

Power hates a vacuum. If you cut Congress in half, where will that legislative and regulatory power flow?


20 posted on 11/20/2011 7:59:11 AM PST by Poison Pill
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