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How many people would like to see Congress work together? How many people would be disappointed and want Congress to hold out for THEIR way?
This one should have an interesting discussion. I am not sure about a number of those suggestions so for the sake of the discussion, I thought I would list my agreements/disagreement/amendments.
1. No Budget, No Pay– I don’t think this goes far enough. It should go further by saying the appropriations for the legislative branch must be the last appropriation and can not be extended beyond the shortest extension and for each extension of a regular appropriation act less than 1 year, pay is reduced by 10% and cannot be restored.
2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments–this I think is too far since it assumes that there are not legitimate delays. I would think that one would limit it to certain key appointments not all appointments.
3. Fix the Filibuster–I think this should go further. it should specify that only certain bills can be subject to super-majority rules.
4 Empower the Sensible Majority–I agree with the concept but not sure how it would work–perhaps specifying that a certain number of Senator/Reps but short of a majority can sign a petition that will require floor consideration within x days.
5. Make Members Come to Work — I will be honest that due to my experience in Capitol Hill matters, I don’t think the issue is failure to work. Even when out of session, most continue committee work.
6. Question Time for the President– this one sounds like British Parliament–those were some of the most intriguing BBC broadcasts when there were some Prime Ministers. Maybe something like this could be televised so we can give most of the attention-hounds some free airtime. I bet Senator Schumer would love this one.
7. Fiscal Report to Congress: Hear it. Read it. Sign it. Not sure how this would work–maybe they are talking about CBO?
8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office–not sure about this one.
9 Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings — actually they get together a lot of the time and are very friendly. The rancor is sometimes for show. I would rather that we require each member of Congress to memorize and lead at least one time all members in a public singing of Kumbaya.
10. Bipartisan Seating — Assumes equal representation to accomplish. Maybe we can have a new Federal agency to determine the seating chart. Doesn’t have to be a big one.
11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee–if they will actually get something done, a nice ideal.
12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents — How does one define negative?
I would like to see one more. Except for emergency legislation (because it may delay it) the legislation must be accompanied by a public analysis to determine the net economic impact on people and the economy and validated by CBO or GAO rather than just the “cost to the government.”
@Clinton, all those could be discussed. I particularly like no pledge but the oath of office. That should cover it. Someone needs to kick Grover Norquist to the curb.
“How many people would like to see Congress work together? How many people would be disappointed and want Congress to hold out for THEIR way?”
That completely depends upon what Congress/the President are trying to accomplish.