TERM LIMITS & PER DIEM

Part of what is wrong in the government of today, is that it has become a career choice over serving the citizens.  Local governments pay a per diem for their elected officials; a token of appreciation for serving the general public. As an example, my ex-spouse received $50 each time the Traffic Commission was in session, City Council on per diem as well.  Unfortunately in time, this is not the case in the State & Federal governments. It has become a career choice instead of a duty to serve the citizens.  Congressional pay from 1/08 to 1/09, was $174,000+ for the year. Broken down to days & actual hours served, this is outrageous pay especially when you look at the median income here in the states & what little they are accomplishing in the White House. They have put themselves first & foremost over the people they were elected to serve.

I BELIEVE President Washington said it best.  He turned down the $25,000 per year salary stating that it was his civic duty to serve and did not need the money, had his own.  When was the last time we had candidates that felt it was their civic duty to serve, not pursuing a political career?

The first per diem set by the Founding Fathers, was $6 per day of service. Covering expenses only, not luxury hotels & extravagant meals, just the basics to get the job done.  In 1857, Congress provided for pay at the rate of $250 per month while in session, or a maximum of $3,000 per year.  After taking into account the difference in time and economic growth, that equates to approximately $5,500 per month while in session, or a maximum of $66,000 per year.  But because of the state of the economy and the fact that it is a duty to serve the people in government, I would set the Congressional pay at $5,000 per month while in session, or a maximum of $60,000 per year. That is a saving of $114,000 per year, per Congressional member.

With One Hundred (100) Senators and Four Hundred and thirty-five Representatives, that would be a savings of $60,990,000.  Eliminating pensions, since this is not a career but a civic duty, the savings increases.  As of October 1, 1986 there were 290 retired Congressional members receiving a pension of $60,972 each..  That would total $17,681,880.  Now added to the total for Congerss, we have a grand savings of $78,671,880.

And to keep in line with Congress pay and being a civic duty, not a career, the salary of the President will also be lowered.  The current Presidential salary is $400,000 and will be lowered to $100,000.  But to keep in line with Washington, anyone elected to serve as President with a personal wealth that exceeds $100,000 per year, will receive one-half the salary, or $50,000.  Anyone elected to serve with a personal wealth of $200,000 or more will receive NO compensation for their service.  This provides for a minimum savings of $300,000 per year.

The White House Staff was created in 1939 and since that time, the number of staff members has grown, more than doubling in size.  Once we dwindle the staff back down to the positions that are necessary, another great amount of savings in salaries will come about.

In setting term limits, government again takes on the role of civic duty;  Bringing a continuous flow of new ideas & fresh minds; working together to serve the people, not advancing their career.  A government of elected people working For, With & By the People, nothing more. Returning to the visions our Founding Fathers had for this Nation, not what it has become.

Term limits would be set as follows:  Senators would be elected to a 4 year term. Each election to be held two years after the Presidential election; Senators would be elected to serve a single term; no re-election.  Representatives would be elected to serve a two year term, with a maximum of two terms. Elections taking place during the Presidential election year and two years later with the Senate elections.

This will also eliminate those behind the scenes controlling the direction & steps our government takes. They can’t keep them in their pocket with term limits imposed.  Reuniting this Nation again as One People, Indivisible, with Truth, Justice and Liberty for All! United We Stand, Divided We Fall! Time to Stand as One and cast those seeking to fully enslave us out!