Is this one of Warren Buffet's better ideas?

1. 84

   GA Andersonposted 11 years ago

   Found this on my Facebook wall - So I don't take credit for putting it out there.
   
   But... as a basic concept - sounds like a good starting point to me
   
   Here is what he supposedly said...
   
   "Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:
   
   "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election.
   
   The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.
   
   Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure.
   
   Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
   
   In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
   
   Congressional Reform Act of 2013
   
   1. No Tenure / No Pension.
   
   A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.
   
   2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
   Security.
   
   All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
   Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
   the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
   
   3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
   
   4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
   Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
   
   5. Congress loses their current health care system and
   participates in the same health care system as the American people.
   
   6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
   
   7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 12/1/13. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.
   
   Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in
   Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
   envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
   term(s), then go home and back to work.
   
   If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time?
   
   THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!
   
   If you agree, pass it on. If not, delete."
   
   GA

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   1. 79

      Credence2posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      GA, Warren Buffet proposal, capital idea,

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2. 68

   innersmiffposted 11 years ago

   Warren Buffet and I aren't on the same wavelength on most days, but he's on the right track here. Though, it needs to be part of a wider call for politicians to honour their promises in a written, binding agreement. Government is the only organisation in the civilised world that is not legally bound to honour its contract - there is something wrong here.
   
   The innersmiff amendment:
   Make a promise, keep it, and if you don't, immediate withdrawal of tax funds.

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3. 59

   Petra Vlahposted 11 years ago

   It is certainly a great idea, but will never see the light of day.
   Most people are too apathetic to even forward this to a friend, leave alone to mobilize and get things changed

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4. 82

   SimeyCposted 11 years ago

   Sadly while part of this is true - Warren Buffet did say these things - he did not create the Congressional Reform Act of 2013 - this has been around quite a whileand original was an Act of 2011.
   
   http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/buffett.asp

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   1. 84

      GA Andersonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @simeyC - thanks for the comment - I looked again, and I think that maybe Buffet may not have been claiming authorship. But, it doesn't matter to me. It's still a good starting point for discussions.
      
      Something needs to get Americans involved - at least more than they are now. The vocal minority that bitches and complains, (guess that includes me too), needs to become a bit more hands-on, and do more than just complain.
      
      GA

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      1. 82

         SimeyCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Fair point. We should start doing 'million people' marches down to Washington again - that seems to get the notice of those in power!

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5. 60

   tammybarnetteposted 11 years ago

   Fantastic Idea! I will be sharing with all my friends and relatives...I think our Founding Fathers would be proud:)

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6. 60

   samsons1posted 11 years ago

   All this sounds so good and has each time its comes around.  The only problem is - Congress don't seem to care about the will of the people nor does the president, only 'his' agenda.  Not only does he pocess executive privilege he has found that 'executive order' seems to carry more weight than the Constitution.  Remember, he just gave congress a raise during the recent 'debt ceiling' debauchery to gain additional support for 'his' itinerary and goals,  Besides the 27 amendment protects  congressional salaries doesn't it.  Those in Washington have the upper hand and view the Constitution as only pertaining to the populous and not the electorate I'm afraid...

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