Occupy the Net

     Gut reaction prompts the "Occupationists" to raise voice to many concerns facing Americans today, and in a left-handed way, bring to light the lack of attention given these concerns by our elected officials. Who remembers mandate of the people, by the people, for the people?
     Another gut response of great magnitude might be in order in light of the recent backlash by droves of people (one hundred thousand and more) leaving the Bank of America. They heard about the frustration of a woman protesting a five dollar transaction surcharge, in a complaint she posted on the internet. This massive repercussion against one of the banks who American taxpayers recently bailed out changed the banks mind about introducing the new surcharge. A mass gut reaction is needed by the American people toward bringing "real world change" to Congress.
     In a recent interview with CNBC, Warren Buffett offered this brilliant quote on ending the debt ceiling: "I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says anytime there is a deficit of more than 3 % of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election.
     Interesting to note: Public pressure caused seven of the 27 amendments to the Constitution to be ratified into law in one year or less. Buffet suggests that if this information was passed around by all those who have access to the internet to at least twenty of their friends, and those twenty to twenty more, etc., that in three days most people in The United States of America will have the message. This 'idea' is the method that should be used to "Occupy the Net".
     In 1971, a forgotten time, before cell phones, computers and e-mail, public demand and outcry saw to the ratification of the 26th amendment, taking only three months and eight days to grant 18 year olds the right and privilege to vote.
Please, e-mail a copy of this column to twenty friends, ten legislators, CNN/MSNBC/FOX NEWS. You America, can, "Be the difference."
                       "Congressional Reform Act of 2011"
Whereas elected officials will recognize a new national standardized ethical working practice (NSEWP) for procedure as an government employee.
Be it known to all members of Congress that there will be: No Tenure / No Pensions.
Whereby, a congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.
Whereby, 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.
Whereas congressmen/women can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
Whereby Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise and
congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
Whereas congressional legislators and senators lose their current health care system and participate in the same health care system as the American people.
Whereby Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
Whereas all contracts with past and present congressmen/women are void effective 1/1/12.
     Hear, hear! I don't recall the American people agreeing to the separation of benefits with our elected officials. Shouldn't congressmen/women who made all these contracts for themselves have their pensions taxed and reduced? Just as they have done to mine? Shouldn't they get the same retirement plan as me or visa-versa? I have as many degrees and professional certifications as most of them, plus 14 years of service to my community, teaching in a public high school. I'm ashamed to tell you the pittance my pension amounts to, and I will have to work into my 70's if there is hope for me to raise enough income to rent a one room studio in a housing project. It is a bleak outlook.
     To work in Congress is an honor, a responsibility to help, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned a constantly changing constituency. Elected officials would serve their term(s), then go home and back to work. Not, to stay in Washington, living off the bones (there is no more fat) of the land.
   Change changes change. End the greed! Occupy the net!