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Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution; make it go viral!
Topic Started: Mar 16 2010, 12:04 PM (305 Views)
Mark
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HOLY CARP!!!
I like this!

I should also include the Executive and the Judicial branches.

I would further add:

"Any existing law that that violates this amendment will be deemed invalid upon passage of this amendment."

Then I would repeal the 16th amendment. ;)


Quote:
 
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn'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 to exempt 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.


"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or 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 ".
Edited by Mark, Mar 16 2010, 12:04 PM.
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o 0
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
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The 89th Key
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:thumb: :clap:
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Red Rice
HOLY CARP!!!
Quote:
 
Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn'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.


Is this true?

Source?
Civilisation, I vaguely realized then - and subsequent observation has confirmed the view - could not progress that way. It must have a greater guiding principle to survive. To treat it as a carcase off which each man tears as much as he can for himself, is to stand convicted a brute, fit for nothing better than a jungle existence, which is a death-struggle, leading nowhither. I did not believe that was the human destiny, for Man individually was sane and reasonable, only collectively a fool.

I hope the gunner of that Hun two-seater shot him clean, bullet to heart, and that his plane, on fire, fell like a meteor through the sky he loved. Since he had to end, I hope he ended so. But, oh, the waste! The loss!

- Cecil Lewis
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Big John
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Senior Carp
we could start with the Rolls Royce healthcare and pension plans available to "public servants" but not available to the people who foot the bill for it.





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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Actually, RR, that is not true. They have the same federal retirement system as any fed employee.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30631.pdf


Quote:
 
Prior to 1984, neither federal civil service workers nor Members of Congress
paid taxes to Social Security, nor were they eligible for 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 (P.L. 98-21) 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. Because the CSRS was not designed
to coordinate with Social Security, Congress directed the development of a new
retirement plan for federal workers. The result was the Federal Employees’
Retirement System Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-335).
Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically
under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this
coverage. Those who already were in Congress when Social Security coverage went
into effect could either remain in CSRS or change their coverage to FERS. Members
are now covered under one of four different retirement arrangements:
! Full coverage under both CSRS and Social Security;
! The “CSRS Offset” plan, which includes both CSRS and Social
Security, but with CSRS contributions and benefits reduced by
Social Security contributions and benefits;
! FERS plus Social Security; or
! Social Security alone.
Congressional pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed
through a combination of employee and employer contributions. All Members pay
Social Security payroll taxes equal to 6.2% of the Social Security taxable wage base
($97,500 in 2007). Members covered by FERS also pay 1.3% of full salary to the
Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Members covered by CSRS Offset
pay 1.8% of the first $97,500 of salary, and 8.0% of salary above this amount, into
the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension
at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible
for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after
completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of
service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting
amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final
salary.
As of October 1, 2006, 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal
pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service. Of this number, 290
had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972.
A total of 123 Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with
service under FERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006.

Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Big John
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Senior Carp
Quote:
 
Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically
under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this
coverage.


Why decline the golden goose?

My ex gets FERS now. He can't believe all of the benefits. He hasn't been there a year yet and he already has 2 weeks vacation and 3 weeks of "flex time" coming his way -- employer-matched 401K two-for-one, and $10 everything on healthcare except for $5 prescriptions. Best of all, it costs him nothing out of his paycheck.

Why would he ever turn it down for mere social security?





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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Red Rice
Mar 16 2010, 12:11 PM
Quote:
 
Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn'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.


Is this true?

Source?
It's true. Laws like sexual discrimination and workplace safety do not apply to Congress. They exempted themselves.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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OperaTenor
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Pisa-Carp
And we the people let them get away with it.


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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Big John
Mar 16 2010, 12:24 PM
Quote:
 
Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically
under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this
coverage.


Why decline the golden goose?

My ex gets FERS now. He can't believe all of the benefits. He hasn't been there a year yet and he already has 2 weeks vacation and 3 weeks of "flex time" coming his way -- employer-matched 401K two-for-one, and $10 everything on healthcare except for $5 prescriptions. Best of all, it costs him nothing out of his paycheck.

Why would he ever turn it down for mere social security?
I haven't been in FERS for a while, but, when I was, we had to pay for health insurance. I'd bet your ex does, too.

The insurance was cheap, and the terms were good, but we had to pay for it nonetheless, and I doubt that's changed.

Plus, 401K-like matching was one-for-one. According to this, it still is.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
QuirtEvans
Mar 16 2010, 12:51 PM
Red Rice
Mar 16 2010, 12:11 PM
Quote:
 
Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn'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.


Is this true?

Source?
It's true. Laws like sexual discrimination and workplace safety do not apply to Congress. They exempted themselves.
Has it been argued against on "equal protection" grounds? :blink:
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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Axtremus
Mar 16 2010, 03:07 PM
QuirtEvans
Mar 16 2010, 12:51 PM
Red Rice
Mar 16 2010, 12:11 PM
Quote:
 
Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn'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.


Is this true?

Source?
It's true. Laws like sexual discrimination and workplace safety do not apply to Congress. They exempted themselves.
Has it been argued against on "equal protection" grounds? :blink:
Equal protection under the Constitution only applies to protected classes. Race, gender, and so forth. Being a non-Congressperson is not a protected classification.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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