Like many who have been listening to the presidential race here, I have noticed how both major party candidates are espousing some manner of government reform to make things more efficient and more responsive to the people whom government is supposed to serve. Speaking with my good lady wife, we have come up with our solutions to reform the current Federal government and bring it more in line with what we believe was intended.
1. Re-introduce the concept of citizen legislators.
Ending the idea of a professional legislator would be the first step to reforming government. When the first congresses sat, the legislators were people who lived and worked in the community they represented and when their duties at the capitol were completed, they returned to their communities to resume their normal work, be it farming, trade, commerce, etc. This should be the ideal for all legislators. Granted, the world has changed and it is a little different to actualize this, so here are the steps to do so.
A. All legislators will be reimbursed for ordinary travel expenses to and from Washington for the purpose of Congressional sessions. Ordinary travel will include a milage reimbursement commensurate with standard professional travel. The milage will be allowed from home or office to the closest airport capable of conducting the legislator to Washington if they are outside of a 300 mile radius. Inside the 300 mile radius, the milage will be to complete a driving trip to Washington. Those outside of the radius will be allowed round-trip economy class air fare to and from Washington/Reagan airport. From the airport, they can travel through the Metro mass transit system to lodging.
B. While Congress is in ordinary session, all legislators will be allowed a per diem to include reasonable meals and adequate lodging. These standards will be defined by the GAO and cannot be defined in such a way to be superior to any other public servant conduncting business on behalf of the United States. e.g. If this expense is considered unreasonable for a travelling government employee, it will be equally unreasonable for a legislator.
C. During the ordinary session, all local transportation taken by public transit will be reimbursed to the legislator after the end of the session with a submitted expense report. Renting of a vehicle or the use of taxis for conveyance will not be reimbursed. (For the folks in DC, this should immediately pay dividends by improving mass transit within the city.)
D. There will be no congressional salary. A legislator’s service to the country is just that: service. Legislators will retain their current occupations with negotiated leave from their employers to attend to the business of the people.
E. To ensure cooperation, legislators will receive the same employment guarantees which are given to members of the National Guard who have been activated for service. An employer may be allowed to fill a legislator’s position only on a temporary basis and must have that position at the same salary and benefits available to the legislator at the conclusion of the ordinary session.
F. All legislators will retain and use the medical, dental, and vision benefits given to them by their employers. If there is a legislator who can prove a lack of medical benefits, that legislator will be enrolled for benefits commensurate with all other federal employees for the term of their legislative service at the same price charged to other federal employees. Those legislators who qualify for VA benefits can use those in place of private benefits or if without other benefits, the VA benefits are a qualifying benefit plan.
G. Upon exiting from legislative service, all benefits which have been granted to the now ex-legislator will immediately cease. This includes travel, per diem, health insurance, if granted. Currently, all legislators who have completed two terms continue to receive a congressional pension commensurate with their salary. To save money, when the salaries end, so should all benefits. If the legislator had been receiving federal employee health insurance, COBRA continuation benefits will be offered, again at the same prevailing rate for all federal employees.
2. Absolute term limits on all legislators and senior government officials. Representatives are limited to 4 terms in the house, which is 8 years. That is equal to the President, the Vice-President and would also be equal to cabinet officers under appointment under this proposal. Senators would be limited to two terms for a total of 12 years. Yes, they get a better deal, but it was established so they would be a more consultative body and the term length has been established within the constitution, so why change it?
A. As a caveat, when a member reaches the specified term limit, that becomes a block against any future legislative service. Legislators can still run for President or Vice-President, but they cannot stand for the other body when term limits are reached. So, the longest you could have a professional government official would be 20 years. Which may still be too long.
3. It is understandable that the Executive Branch of government is going to need to be completely devoted to the job assumed, therefore, a reasonable stipend for service is to be expected. However, since these individuals are government employees their healthcare will be equivalent to other public servants at a similar cost. The salary of the President and Vice-President will be lowered to more reasonable levels since they receive, for free, housing, transportation, security, meals, and staff to see to basic needs. Past presidents have taken enough vacations away from Camp David, it should be closed and the President can use his or her own vacation home or general home for vacations. Once out of office, all public benefits cease, that includes salary, staff, security, etc. There will also no longer be public funds used for the establishment of a presidential library. If this is to be done, it can be done from private funds. If there are no takes, the National Archives will serve as a responsible party to guarantee all documents from the presidency. Upon leaving office, COBRA benefits will be offered to officials as needed for continued health-care while transitioning into the private sector.
4. Lobbying will be made illegal. Lobbying is specifically the giving of gifts or monies in exchange for votes to benefit a particular party or group. All gifts to legislators will be deemed illegal. Their service is a gift to the nation, they should not profit from their service. This will reduce influence and graft and level the playing field for citizens to directly work with legislators to ensure the will of the people is honoured.
5. Campaigning for all public office shall be limited to no more than 30 days prior to the election. This will also include any and all referenda which are proposed for the ballot. In compensation for the reduced schedule, candidates for office will be allowed limited reduced cost advertising on media outlets in order to help spread their message to their target audiences. Campaign costs should dramatically be reduced with both a shortened schedule and the reduced cost to reach media outlets. With the reduced cycles should also come a change in the primary/caucus system. However, since those are the province of political parties, those will be shifted to a local level. No public funds will be made available to hold these. Neither shall government equipment or staff be available to officiate over a party’s nominating system.
6. The electoral college has served the country for many years, not always well. This archaic system, devised to protect the intelligentsia from the effects of mass enfranchisement is no longer effective and can effectively disenfranchise voters. Rather, the popular vote will now be used to establish the winner of all elections for Congress, Senate, and Executive tickets. This may force candidates to address areas which had been previously taken for granted or abandoned to the other party.
I know that I am not complete at this time, but I will expand it as I think of more things.
Please let me know what you think
