Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Litany of American Citizenship

Some might think the title of this post a little far-fetched.  I dare you to think about it.  As American citizens we have certain rights.  What many do not seem to understand is that with every right, there comes a responsibility.  Most folks want to tout their rights.  What about their responsibilities?

What responsibilities?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  And I answer your question with these:  How many elections have you missed?  Alright, forget about the ones during which you were genuinely ill and could not get out of bed to go to the polls and vote.  What about when it was raining or cold and you did not want to get out in the "bad" weather?  Or you just blew the election off for no good reason?  Like bowling or a basketball game or a concert or the next installment of All My Children which you videotaped but must see as soon as you arrive home from work?  Or beyond being incapacitated, non compos mentis, or seeing to the needs of someone else when absolutely no one else is available for the 12-hour span during which polls are open on election day, and you missed all of those opportunities to vote early?  What about the opportunities you missed for absolutely no good reason?

My contention is that for every time you, American Citizen, failed to vote, you shirked your responsibility, letting down your nation, state, county, city, school district, MUD, and even yourself and your family.

What was that?  What do you mean how dare I say something like that??  In response, I ask you, how dare you not vote!?


And why today, this muggy, rainy day (at least in Houston, Texas), do I bring this up?  Again, so glad you asked.  It just happens that someone for whom I have great respect, who has shown himself to be an upright man of integrity, forwarded me an email which I will share with you shortly.  I do not know its originator.  Upon reading it, my first thought was that if folks would go to the polls en masse and exercise their right as American Citizens, to cast votes for issues and candidates to whom the duty of representation is given by a majority vote, our country might be in better shape.  (This brings about another thought for a blog, concerning America's fix it all right now attitude when many of our "its" have been broken for decades, but  that will have to wait for another day.)  Instead, we allow the diseases of complacency and apathy to blind and paralyze us, cut out our tongues and devour our brain cells.  We become walking zombies, devoid of the ability to think, buying into every thinly veiled lie some long-term, blooding-sucking (oops, I meant to say tenured politician) tells us.

So, here we are in 2010, with the very folks who are supposed to represent us, fattening themselves at the country's trough, voting themselves raises and retirement perks for which some would kill.

Stepping off my soapbox now, and conveying many thanks to Robert N, here is the Litany.  I dare you to read this and blow it off:


CONGRESSIONAL REFORM ACT OF 2010


1. Term Limits: 12 years only, with one of the possible options below:
   A. Two Six-year Senate terms
   B. Six Two-year House terms
   C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

2.  No Tenure / No Pension:   A congressional representative collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

3.  Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:  All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.  All future funds flow into the Social Security system.  Congress participates with the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, server your term(s), then go home and back to work.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as other American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

7. Congress must abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.  The American people did not make contracts with congressional representations;  congressmen made all these contracts with and for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Today is the Day to FIRE Sheila Jackson Lee

This writing is starting her day off behind schedule.

By now I should have been on the other side of Houston, heading out I45 toward Galveston.  This is too important not to take another few minutes to hastily post this plea to all who live in the 18th Congressional District of Texas.

To the supposed constituents* of Sheila Jackson Lee:  Today is the day you have an opportunity to get rid of the ineffective representation of Sheila Jackson Lee.  To make this happen YOU MUST GO TO THE POLLS and vote!!!

Mrs. Lee's supporters will tell you that her opponent, Jarvis Johnson, doesn't have experience.  Well, guess what office Mrs. Lee held before seeking the one she has now held far too long?   She was a member of Houston City Council.  And, guess what office Jarvis Johnson holds?   He is a member of Houston City Council!    In other words, the "no experience" plea is a lame attempt that has no foundation.

It is more than Mr. Johnson being a native Houstonian rather than a transplant.  It is more than Mr. Johnson having roots in the community he has served for many years, even before being elected to the Houston City Council.  The compelling reason to fire Sheila Jackson Lee and vote for Jarvis Johnson is that she has simply outlived her usefulness in the 18th.

Complacency and apathy are not characteristics of just the electorate; they are common symptoms of a diseased governing body as well.  And Mrs. Lee failed to get immunized against the disease that manifests itself in part with complacency and apathy.

There is another manifestation of this disease:  it is called selfishness.  Our representatives should be selfless in their service, not selfish.  If you are a resident of the 18th Congressional District, one of those folks the media and elected officials (and therefore, hired servants) call ORDINARY Americans, and had occasion to call an office of the 18th with a problem, chances are you were told either:  1)  you are not on the voter registration rolls; 2) we have over 500,000 people in this district and we can't . . . . blah, blah blah.  On the other hand, if your name is known for whatever reason:   pop star, athlete, unfortunate victim of a heinous murder a la dragging (not to make light of the horrible murder of Mr. Byrd), or hurricane, then you may see Mrs. Lee, but only via television or the internet.

The bottom line is this:  the 18th Congressional District needs effective representative of its citizens, someone who understands the root of their problems, not just sees the outcome, but what lies beneath.  The 18th needs someone in tune with them, not just folks in Vidor and Never Never Land.

The 18th Congressional District needs someone like Jarvis Johnson.   Whatever you do today, PLEASE GO TO THE POLLS AND VOTE!

_________________________________________________
*By the way, why do you think the phrase "supposed constituents" was used?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  Think really hard for a moment, and try to conjure up ONE instance in which you believe Mrs. Lee was representing you.  Well?