IF I WERE ELECTED TO CONGRESS

Many people complain about the government, the congress and various elected officials. I'm a major complainer. Once in a while someone throws it back in my face and asks “What would YOU do if your were a Congressman?”

1) I know that I alone cannot accomplish everything I want to do by myself. I need other like minded Congressmen.
2) I wouldn’t stay more than two terms at the most. Damn the seniority rule. Full speed ahead.
3) I would try to be the role model for the Congress I would like to see. It’s sort of like Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. The theme of the campaign would be real freedom.

Sessions of Congress
Sessions of Congress should only be conducted six months out of the year. 3 Months in session, 3 months in your home district, 3 months in session and 3 months home. There is no law that is so important that it’s debate cannot not be continued in the next session.

During their time at home, they will be required to get out and meet real people, not lobbyists and not other politicians. They will have to go to the offices, the bowling alleys, the factories, the truck stops and the hospitals including visits to military in the hospital. They can visit the home clubs, both Democratic and Republican clubs. No set up of one sided rallies.

They will be required to read EVERY bill they are debating and we the citizens have the right to know who actually wrote it. Bills must contain only one subject. There will be no adds or amendments to a bill that is not germain to the main concept of the bill.

Congressional salaries will be frozen at the current rate and stay that way for at least 2 years. The only way they can get a raise is for voters to vote it in when electing Congress and the amount will be on the ballot for Congress.

Any bill they pass, the Congress must live under it. NO exceptions or exemptions for Congress.

Election Requirements
I realize each State will set their own requirements in addition to the basics required by the Constitution, but I think most elected officials are totally ignorant about the Constitution and 10 Amendments or they are just totally ignoring it.

I would require anyone wanting to run for the Congress or the Senate including State offices, must pass a test on the Constitution. In the early 1800’s our children had to past a test from a document called the Catechism on the U.S. Constitution. There were 332 questions. To make sure the test is administered honestly, the candidates will be quizzed orally by high school seniors in the district they are running in.

If they can’t get a passing score, then they have no business running for office.

Roman for Congress - Sessions of Congress

Do elected officials in Washington know who we are? These people have spent most of their life in D.C. The majority of people they talk to are lobbyists and each other. You can write all the letters you want and you'll get back a "thank you for your opinion" letter from their computers. They do come home at election time and rush from meeting to meeting to convince you to send them back to Washington!

I would propose a bill that allows Congress to be in session for ONLY 6 months a year. The other six months they would be required to be in their district offices listening to people like you and me. Lobbyists or corporate reps can have one day a week while they are in their home offices.

Another suggestion I received was to come to their home district for 3 months at a time and instead of sitting in his office, the congressman would go out into the community. Visit businesses, go to high school sports games and sit with the parents. Let him visit the producers in this country. God knows we get enough news about people down and out. We are taking care of them, but quit punishing the people who produce the wealth. It sure isn't the government!

Once they start listening to the people who put them their, their attitudes would change drastically.