Dear Friends,
The downgrade of U.S. debt followed by the market crash yesterday provided ample evidence that Washington is broken, and Congress is a dysfunctional three-ring circus. I was outraged last week when Congress couldn't get its act together to avoid a debt crisis, and this week millions of middle-class Americans saw their savings further dwindle when the markets crashed in reaction to the antics in Washington. Especially vexing is that our congressman, Joe Walsh, favored defaulting on America's bills and, earlier in the year, favored a government shutdown over working together to keep our government and economy afloat. It's no wonder that a record 82% of Americans disapprove of Congress. Their performance is pathetic, and it's time to shake things up.
If I am elected to Congress, I plan to introduce legislation tying Congressional pay to performance. For too long, people in Washington and Congress point fingers at each other even as millions of middle-class Americans remain unemployed, and our economy continues to sputter. They must realize that we are all in this together, and I respectfully submit that the best way to remind Congress of this is to tie their pay to their collective results. If America does well, they do well. If Americans suffer, they must suffer. Members of Congress earn almost $175,000 a year, far in excess of the average American; therefore, we must hold them to a standard befitting their pay. Accordingly, I would introduce the following concepts:
Members of Congress argue that because they are subject to election every two years, they face the full brunt of voter sentiment, and therefore there is no need to tie their pay to performance. I disagree. They often get re-elected because their fundraising prowess allows them to scream louder than their opponents during election season. But when you're yelling, you're not listening... and you quickly lose sense of voter sentiment. Today we are in an economic crisis. We must change course, and they must be responsive to our needs as a people.
Our own Congressman Walsh loves to point fingers at others for the follies of his Republican-led Congress. We cannot tolerate this any longer, and as I have mentioned before, his personal and egregious child-support scandals coupled with his official performance merit resignation now. I have even begun to circulate an online petition calling for Rep. Walsh to step down. In any case, today, we say enough is enough to all their antics. Please join me in shaking up Washington and Congress.
Best regards,
Raja
The shut down is when the executive branch does not sign on the dotted line when congress passes a proposed budget to them, this is open to abuse as the person in the presidential seat could keep saying no until either the shut down happens, or the congress prints what they are told to by the executive branch.
I dont think neutering one branch of the government just to gain some votes for a congressional run now is a good idea.
forgot to mention that he bounced checks, owes campaign workers over $20K, needs to drive on a non-suspended license, and there's something else i'm forgetting....beyond the back childsupport payments.
that guy is a walking disaster! GO RAJA!
Any contribution from a Corporation to the election of a Congressman or Senator shall prohibit that Congressman or Senator from voting in the affirmative on any legislation that would favor that Corporation in any way.
I think this could be a way to reverse Citizens United. Let companies spend whatever they want, but Congressmen and Senators that receive money from them automatically are unable to help them. We all know that they're tainted by the money they get and that they simply pretend that it's not money for votes when, in fact, everyone knows that it *is*.
$$$ for Congressional and Senatorial votes is *the* problem with our government. If something isn't done then soon enough it will never be *our* government again - it will simply be a legislative stock exchange with the Lobbyists acting as the traders. Frankly, it seems like we're already there
I would think Congressman Walsh's Republican colleagues would be proud to have someone so dedicated to their "no compromise" on spending ideals that he's willing to personally live up to them and cut off his children and ex-wife.
Also...let's pass a law that prohibits any member of Congress from EVER working as a lobbyist or for any company that was or is involved in lobbying. That would certainly bring about changes!
But if GDP and Jobs go up, they make more money. That's a start, but what's really needed is a way to penalize them for taking money from corporations or being supported by PACs.
There has to be a way to end the PACs and the Lobbyists and that is what we really need.