If Congress had to behave like the rest of us.

I got the following as a forwarded message in my e-mail. The idea is popular if the vast number of people forwarding it is any indication. There is more to this proposal than just handing it around the net though.


Preface:
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that Congressmembers 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.


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 Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ".

The downside to this idea would require the involvement of Congress, you know the people this would directly affect. It's very hard to get people to curtail their power and privledge on their own. This idea needs real power behind it to make Congress take notice. A campaign that used the threat of a public tax strike, revealing congress members finances and the biggest of all with holding votes are some suggestions.

I encourage everyone who believes in this idea to take real action. Don't just complain about inequality DO something about it. What the three branches of government don't realize is that there is a fourth branch - the people they rule over. We have the power to refuse them and we need to make it clear that our needs are not being met.

As in many cultures the rewards of power is that you don't have to live like the rest. Whether it's communism, democracy, socialism, republicanism, many political ideologies contain the concept of egalitarianism- that everyone is treated equal. Not anymore. What this amendment purposes is to return the balance of power to all. Remember, we entrust these people with our country, government and our lives, they owe us some respect for the gift.