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TERM LIMITSPeople should be concernd about the length of time members of Congress are remaining in office. It creates a situation where the longer they stay the more power they obtain. Also, the lobbyists are able to get close to them. There is no reason that they stay as long as they do. Also, with term limits,there would be no need for pensions.9 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Harold Peterson
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Banks...leveling the playing fieldIf Congress were to pass a bill that states: ALL Banking industries personal if wanting to continue doing business, MUST give EACH person a direct contact, email and fax number. Its understood that faxes can be used as legal documents. If WE (Americans) want an equal voice in the mortgage process. This must happen immediately. It will slow down and focus corruption.... more easily...Aside from transparency and full Disclosure up front7 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Patrick
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Forfeit of Congressional Benefits to FelonsIn our recent history several members of Congress have been convicted of crimes yet still receive the fringe benefits of that office. I propose a simple Petition that states, "any member of congress convicted of a felony forfeits any and all benefits of that office".2 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Ron Howell
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Executive Order to make Lobbying IllegalThe only way the 99% can change legislation is by petition and protest. All corporations have to do is hire someone to wine, dine and gift a legislator under the disguise of junkets, super PACS, and huge corporate donations. We ask President Obama to level the playing field by outlawing professional lobbyists so the Corporations have to get their way the same way the 99% do.250 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Michelle A. Mueller
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Congress Is OF the People, Not AboveTo truly represent their constituents, elected representatives to the federal Senate and House of Representative must share the lives of the citizens. The financial affairs of Senators and Congresspeople must be transparent and annually audited and the results posted on-line. They must not be exempt from any law they make in regard to privilege of office, taxes or spending cuts.1 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Frank Cullen
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Pay reductions for Government EmployeesGovernment employees salaries continually grow unfairly even during down times, while private sector employees face reductions in pay. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that federal employees in occupations that exist in both the public and private sectors made an average salary of $67,691 in 2008, USA Today reports. The per capita personal income in the United States was $39,138, down from $39,392 two years earlier, according to data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis in March of 2010. The per capita personal income in the Unites States shrunk by more than half a percentage point, or $254 a year, from 2007 through 2009, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis. And, members of the House and Senate saw their salaries go up by more than 5 percent, or $8,800, from the time the recession began through 2009, according to the federal government. The Congress pay figures do not include the generous perks and health benefits provided to lawmakers. Benefits and other compensations are rarely reported as part of the compensatory package received by government employees. Government data shows federal workers received benefits valued at $40,785, compared with benefits valued at $9,882 for private sector workers. *March 5, 2010 3:27 PM "Does the Government Pay More than the Private Sector?" By Stephanie Condon CBS News Considering cutbacks within NASA and the space program, engineers within the US government continue to benefit, while in the private sector where most engineering jobs have moved overseas, engineers now make less than $25-$35/hour, versus $48/hour in 2009 . For instance, those employed by the US petroleum and natural gas industry had a median income of $120,000, and engineers in communications services made $115,576. Those working in the US transportation services industry had a median income of $87,000. Meanwhile, private sector workers in those occupations made $60,046. *March 5, 2010 3:27 PM Does the Government Pay More than the Private Sector? By Stephanie Condon CBS News Earnings for federal political offices are as follows: Congress Members (Representatives and Senators): $174,000 Senate and House Majority/Minority Leaders: $193,400 Cabinet Members: $199,700 Speaker of the House: $223,500 Vice President: $230,700 President: $400,000 According to PayScale.com, the median earnings for people in the US between the ages of 55-64 (which is the median age of US Congress and Cabinet members) who hold at least a bachelor's degree and work full-time is $73,700. This income is far below what Congress and Cabinet members earn. Those with the biggest pay boosts are the 31 senators and representatives who have only a high school diploma, certificate or associate’s degrees. Others earning more than expected are the 13 members of Congress with master’s degrees in social work, education, or divinity. Twenty three million Americans are unemployed in 2012., Nearly 10% of American households are hungry.Young adults age 25-34, living with their parents, had an official poverty rate of 8.4 percent, but if their poverty status were determined using their own income, 45.3 percent had an income below the poverty threshold for a single person under age 65. *US Census Bureau We want our US elected officials to put in place a bill that regulates government pay and compensation to match that of the private sector. The upward increase of salaries by those employed by federal and state agencies is bankrupting the country in much the same way as California's retirement pensions have bankrupted the state. Three million employees at an average of $67,000 reaches an annual debt of $201,000,000,000 (two hundred and one billion) dollars. Remember, this is not the governments money to spend on itself, but should be used to rebuild our infrastructure and economy!4 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Joan
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Senilty Retirement ActThere have been serious questions raised about the mental state of some of the more "senior" members of the Legislature. This Act would allow Congress or the Executive to initiate proceedings to replace those representatives deemed "impaired" by special election.1 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Sam Adams
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Feed Poor Children or Slaughter Wildlife?It is an outrage that our legislators, in their attempts to reduce the federal budget, seem to be able to justify the continued spending of millions of dollars on the decimation of our nation's wildlife but cannot seem to justify the spending of millions of dollars on school lunches for the poorest children in our nation.9 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Dona
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Fix the salaries of politicians at the median US salaryThe median salary is a livable income. Setting politicians' (congressmen, senators, cabinet members, etc.) salary at that rate makes it so that they actually take an interest in helping the nation, rather than just claiming that they do. Taking the median rather than the average makes it so that they can't raise their own wages by raising the earnings of the very rich. It forces them to take an interest in making everybody richer, without redistributing wealth.3 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Jorge Goldschmied Chale
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Two Term Limit For Congress Constitutional AmendmentIt is very apparent that the ability for members of Congress to serve multiple and consecutive terms has proven not to be beneficial for the American people. Many of them today use this ability for their personal financial and political party gain instead of being representatives of the majority of the people. Therefore, I firmly believe it's time for a change. A two consecutive term limit seems to work very well for the office of president. Why not apply this same condition to members of Congress?4 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Geary Hewett
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The End to Corporate PersonhoodTell your legislators that we all need to work to overturn Citizens United.Corporations should not expect to be treated as people unless they are willing to be treated as individuals under law3 of 100 SignaturesCreated by robert sweeny
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Full Information and Knowledge ActLaws have become so complex and long many are passed without reading by those voting in Congress.1 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Lantz Powell