The 28th Amendment

[Lennycorn]

I was sent this....
I liked what the message is about.
It would be nice if it could become true.
.......................................................................
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens have no idea that members of Congress can retire with the same pay after only one term, that they don't pay into Social Security, 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 is that Congress has exempted themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered...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. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.

If each person receiving this contacts twenty people on their Address list, and in turn asks each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.

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 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."

 

[Nanci]

I got that today, too. Don't hold your breath. There are probably people who think that is a bad idea. Did you hear Fidel Castro is congratulating us (the US) on finally providing health care for all citizens? Gee, thanks.

 

[starsevol]

I was sent this....
I liked what the message is about.
It would be nice if it could become true.
.......................................................................
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens have no idea that members of Congress can retire with the same pay after only one term, that they don't pay into Social Security, 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 is that Congress has exempted themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered...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. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.

If each person receiving this contacts twenty people on their Address list, and in turn asks each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.

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 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."

It would be VERY nice if it could become true.....

 

[Rich Z]

Well, gee..... Guess who would have to VOTE on such an amendment......

 

[Lennycorn]

Did you hear Fidel Castro is congratulating us (the US) on finally providing health care for all citizens? Gee, thanks.

And I bet he pays his fair share!!!

It would be VERY nice if it could become true.....

From what I understand...or think... they have their own heathcare plan and their own banks.
I guess they have a few more perks too.

But to me they shouldn't be able to vote for their own pay raises.
And they should be the first in line for pay cuts and such.

 

[tsst]

Well, gee..... Guess who would have to VOTE on such an amendment......

Exactly! Not gonna happen!

 

[Nova_C]

I'm going to guess that since you guys are all taking that forwarded message at face value, you're not interested in finding out that none of the claims in it aren't true?

 

[Nova_C]

I meant to say that none of the claims are true. Stupid non-existent edit button.

That e-mail creates a reality that doesn't exist in order to create outrage that has no basis. It's a strawman, essentially, and a particularly bad one.

 

[wstphal]

Many citizens have no idea that members of Congress can retire with the same pay after only one term,

They can retire with the same retirement pay whether they serve 2 years or 20 years...

that they don't pay into Social Security,

Correct.

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.

I don't know if this is true, would have to look it up law by law.

The latest is that Congress has exempted themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered...in all of its forms.

Currently correct. They continue to get the Federal Employee insurance options which are QUITE generous (BCBS PPO is most popular with Federal employees but no one has published info on which insurance options Congresspersons have picked from the Federal employee menu, which is large) + they have access to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.

Edit: I should point out that NO Federal employee pays into Social Security. As a result, unless someone had held other sorts of employment, they don't GET much money from Social Security when they retire. This applies to Congresspersons as well as other Federal employees. Sorry about that omission.

 

[Nova_C]

members of Congress can retire with the same pay after only one term

Fabrication.

http://www.c-span.org/questions/weekly68.htm

Members who have participated in the congressional pension system are vested after 5 years of service. A full pension is available to Members 62 years of age with 5 years of service; 50 years or older with 20 years of service; or 25 years of service at any age. A reduced pension is available depending upon which of several different age/service options is chosen. If Members leave Congress before reaching retirement age, they may leave their contributions behind and receive a deferred pension later.

Fabrication.

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.[/qupte]

Fabrication.

http://www.compliance.gov/employeerights/caa.html

The above made the following applicable to members of the legislative branch (of which Congress is part):

http://www.compliance.gov/employeerights/er_eeo2.html

Section 3 details sexual harassment.

Fabrication.

http://www.factcheck.org/2010/01/congress-exempt-from-health-

 

[wade]

I have an idea, lets elect Congressman and Representatives that will represent the wishes of the people instead of lining their own pockets. There must be somebody who fits that description.