Make Them Talk
I am about at the end of my patience with the threat of a filibuster in the senate to block legislation. It is time for the democrats in congress as well as President Obama to say, “You want to filibuster this legislation, well get on with it.” Cue up C-Span and the pundits. Do politicians have a lot of hot air? Yes, but I don’t think this political age or those we call politicians have the nerve to follow through with the threats they make. Do the Republicans really wish to argue that the government does not need to help create jobs for the working poor and working middle class even if that means increasing the debt? Do they really think that it is better for Wall Street to prosper before working people? If so, let them stand up in the senate with the cameras rolling and talk. I think they will look like clowns rather than Jimmy Stewart (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) because they are the very ones that have accepted graft from any number of multi-national corporations or American corporations that have moved jobs overseas or downsized someone you know to make another dime of profit and boost their stock prices another nickle. Thus, if the Republicans wish to stand on the side of corporations (the Lords) rather than work for the common good of the people (the surfs – working poor and middle class) in our society they should be forced to talk, talk, talk; and while they are talking they should explain in detail and by specific example how lower taxes on the top 1% have trickled down or will trickle down to the single parent with two kids or the forty year old that was laid off for a second or third time.
As a citizen I would like to bring a piece of legislation to the floor. I move that the salaries paid to all Senators and Representatives to the House be suspended until such time that the nation is showing positive GDP growth for 5 quarters and unemployment is less than 3%. I further move that members of congress (Senators and House Reps) also forgo receiving free health care as part of their benefits and that payments to their retirement funds be suspended only to be reinstated when their salaries begin again. I also urge the President to do the same.
Though this is a symbolic act, when compared to the entire federal budget and given that most in the House and Senate are millionaires, it would signal an understanding and acceptance of responsibility by our elected representatives to work for the common good and begin the long task of creating a level playing field and fair regulation of industry, again. A millionaire may be able to afford being swindled of a few hundred thousand dollars, but a person on minimum wage or even making $50k a year cannot afford to loose $1k in the free market of buyer beware. That is the populists stance, but more importantly the responsible act of mature adults serving the people.
An Amendment: The funds from the salaries this first year should be placed in the “Jobs Bill” that President Obama requested Congress to create. In the years following the funds should be use to pay down the national debt. No other amendments will be attached to this legislation. Hold an “up or down” vote as soon as possible that the public can watch on C-Span and allow network news cover the debate and vote.