MY VOTE IS FOR SALE

Vanity | July 4, 2002 | B. A. Conservative

[B. A. Conservative]

It is beyond challenge that most, if not all, of the problems America faces today originate in Washington. It is fallacious reasoning to suggest that the problem lies with the people of the United States. Our government is a republic. Our republic is predicated on the theory that those elected to public office have intellectual competence, educational skills or experience that exceeds that of the electorate and that those elected public leaders will do what is right for the country even in opposition to commonly perceived public opinion. During most of the past century, the political class has demonstrably failed to lead, but have instead become political prostitutes selling laws and benefits in exchange for votes transforming our Constitutional republic into a tyrannical mob-rule democracy destined for bankruptcy. Non-producing parasites now use the Democratic Party to prey on their neighbors, the still producing members of our country.

Under our Constitution, the power of the United States resides in We the people. For too long, we have allowed that power to be delegated or sold by the prostitutes in both political parties, primarily those in Washington. Clearly, ours has become a top>down government. As one voice among We the people, I think it is time to withhold the delegation of that power by only delegating it to selected politicians and then only with strings attached. FreeRepublic is a much larger segment of We the people, with a much larger voice. We at FreeRepublic are the roots of the grassroots. Newcomers and some that have been frequenting this site for years may deny that Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives because of the discussions that took place on this web site. They are wrong. Our voice is loud and it is heard in the Halls of Congress and in the Whitehouse. The stain that will be remembered in history is not the stain on Monica's dress; it is the stain of Impeachment. And that stain came from the computer ink that spilled from the hearts of Freepers determined to see justice done. We at FreeRepublic are the roots of the grassroots. The buck starts here.

There has been a great deal of discussion on FreeRepublic lately about what role we should play in this fall's election and that we should cut Bush and the Republicans some slack. Variations of this theme have been discussed on other threads: "THAT which you believe"---"An open letter to Republicans" by redrock. I particularly like the comments by DoughtyOne and "Move the RINOs and we move the party. I really think it's that simple," by NickDanger.

Ronald Reagan won two landslide elections by telling Americans he was going to cut the government in Washington down to size. The Contract with America gave the Republicans control of both houses of Congress for the first time in roughly thirty years. Prior to the Contract with America Republicans only had control of even one house in Congress one other time in 70 years. The lesson that Republicans seem to have difficulty in learning is that the people are conservative and when presented a conservative agenda they will vote for it. And conversely, when pandering is all that is offered, the public prefers the real prostitutes every time. I have a solution to this problem. I call it the

Contract with Congress

I am not giving my vote to anybody in November. I have decided to auction my vote in this fall's Congressional elections. Politicians are going to have to bid for my vote. I have decided not to exclude any particular politicians or parties from the bidding. And I have decided to attach some rules to the bidding itself:

1. There is a minimum bid.
2. Anyone defaulting on any part of the minimum bid will be barred from consideration for future auctions.
3. A public pledge to guarantee to bring the minimum bid to the floor for a vote is an acceptable alternative to a written and signed contract, although anyone offering a written and signed contract similar in format to the Contract with America will be given preference.
4. Any part of the minimum bid or "contract" not enacted into law will be supported and returned to the floor in the next or subsequent sessions of Congress as required until enacted into law.
5. If there are no acceptable bids for my vote in Congressional races per the rules above, my vote (normally Republican straight ticket) will not be cast at all.

   Minimum Bid:

   1. Complete scrapping of Title 26, Subtitle A-Income Taxes.
   2. Replacement of the Income Tax with the Fair Tax, the Flat Tax, or a combination of the two.
   3. The growth of government spending is unacceptable. I not only want it stopped; I demand that it be reversed by at least 2% per cent per year for at least the next two years. In 2004, I will re-evaluate to determine whether or not the rate of reduction should be adjusted for future years.
   4. No more socialism. That means no new payments to individuals except for services rendered or goods purchased. That means no new grants to organizations, public or private, and no new grants to state or local governments.
   5. Immediately begin the voluntary privatization of Social Security using the Cato plan.

   This is only the Minimum. There are a number of suggested options that politicians could add now or that we will add in future contracts for future elections.

   Suggested Options:

   • Amend the Constitution to provide for Term Limits for members of Congress and the Federal Judiciary.
   • Sunset law for all Federal Regulations not reauthorized within five years.
   • Sunset law for all Federal agencies not reauthorized within five years.
   • Balanced Budget Amendment that allows deficit spending only when there has been a Declaration of War by Congress or by a 60% majority vote of both houses of Congress when and if there is a previously accumulated saved surplus that is larger than the proposed deficit or by a two thirds majority vote in both houses if there is no saved surplus or the saved surplus is less than the proposed deficit.
   • All votes in both houses will be roll call votes electronically recorded and electronically verified by key encryption, password enabled.
   • Constitutional Amendment allowing Line Item Veto by the President.
   • Change the rules of the Senate eliminating the filibuster.
   • Constitutional Amendment repealing the XVII Amendment to the Constitution.
   • Abolish the Department of Education.

   Most of these problems would eventually be solved by Term Limits. I think the Term Limits Amendment should be saved as part of the ultimate threat packaged as a part of a package to be presented under Article V to a Constitutional Convention. It takes time to put together sufficient public arousal and support to apply the kind of pressure that we may need to bring to bear on people who are used to exerting power rather than being subjected to it.

[headsonpikes]

Good thread.

[WhiteGuy]

We the People Bump

[TXFireman]

Howdy yourself. Nice pics.

[WhiteGuy]

bump

[swheats]

Seems you have a plan. If you don't hold an office why don't you run for one? It's better to change things from the inside rather than waiting for someone to come along to implement your plan.

[Texas Yellow Rose]

	Thank you for the heads-up on this thread ... This says it all, doesn't it. "What if it's too late and we learn that either a majority or a substantial plurality of the American people are really socialistic rather than conservative? Then the people are not "United" and don't share a belief in the principles of freedom that made the United States great. If that is true, the sooner we get on with secession and the reinstitution of a new Constitutional republic that guarantees freedom the better.
The status quo or a continuing descent into socialism is unacceptable. Are there any patriots left? "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Visit: Freeper Tips and Helps for posting photos, links and other HTML goodies. You can also bookmark the thread at:  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/562247/posts "Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."   .....  Somebody Very Smart.....

[Ragin1]

We have a balance budget? Screaming with laughter!!

[Mr. K]

um...OK ... more balanced than it was...??

[WhiteGuy]

BUMP

[Spirited]

Thank you for bumping this thread. It is the most worthwhile one I have read here in quite a few years.

I was out of town when it was first posted so I deeply appreciate its "resurrection". It expresses the depth of thought and commitment to constitutionality which used to be the norm here.

Hat's off to B A Conservative.

[WhiteGuy]

Thank you for bumping this thread. It is the most worthwhile one I have read here in quite a few years.

Although the solutions presented may not be absolutely perfect......

I'll take it over where we are now.

RON PAUL 2004

[WhiteGuy]

Sunday Bump

[Temple Owl]

You gave it a lot of sensible thought. bump!!!

[headsonpikes]

"Don't blame me--I voted for Kang!"

Good thread bump. ;^)

[VideoDoctor]

Your perspectives on the situation are clear and reasonable.
Your ideas for remedy are timely and innovative... BUT,
without a "Field General" or "Quarterback" leading the way
NOTHING will ever change in favor of the people.

This forum is pretty much reflective of life in that we have
much discussion on the subject, but no follow-through action
by other than a very small percentage of those who got the message.

If someone were capable of spearheading a POWERFUL mass movement
of the people in this NEW direction nearly all of Washington would
"about face" in 10 minutes or less to acquiesce to the wishes of the people.

Discussion ideas like this are the foundation for the beginning
of such powerful movements... but without a leader who can
employ strategies and tactics that would crumble the present paradigm
all we can do is read these various posts, agree or disagree, and then
continue to live in quiet desperation.

Is there a leader ( man or woman ) among men who can
break the cycle that now exists ?

Hello... Hello... anybody out there ???

[B. A. Conservative]

Where are you Jim Robinson? Rush, are you listening? You can fund your own campaign out of your earnings from EIG!

[WhiteGuy]

Bump

[kidd]

Numerous good points BAC

Bush has lost my vote. He lost it to numerous leftist decisions (CFR, agreement that there is global warming, farm bill, etc). He can gain it back with strong anti-abortion policies and making good on his campaign promise to partially privatize Social Security.

My vote is also up for sale. My terms are somewhat different. Howard Phillips seems to be the leading bidder, but I'm uncomfortable with his lack of experience, and you are right that a third party cannot beat democrats, yet.

[WhiteGuy]

Bump for Wednesday

[WhiteGuy]

BUMP