Your departure is a compelling testimonial to the fact that legislators hold office far too long. They come to think of themselves as a cut above the rest of us and therefore can do no wrong.
Ever since Mr. Souder backtracked on his pledge for term limits I questioned his integrity - so much for this born-again Christian. I don't know what it is about the Beltway but we send who we think are reasonably honest and capable people to Washington, but after a few years they take on the aura of George Orwell's chilling "Animal Farm" mentality. Is it something in the vapors rising from the Potomac; is it a chemical exuding from the marble halls? What affects their mind-set?
Mr. Souder is pointing a finger to the ethos of Washington, which I find ironic since he has been part of that ethos. I only can conclude that the taste of power is intoxicating, which points to the necessity of term limits. However, that will need to be a grassroots endeavor since congress will not cure itself. That would be like Santa Claus issuing the demise of Santa Clause - it ain't gonna happen. It will take a proposition on the ballot of each state. California does it; why can't we?
A congressional ploy widely used to retain their office is an earmark. It decidedly is not for the benefit of the people; it is for the benefit of the earmarker. The earmark money that is being sent to Grace College, a private school, should have gone to IU, Ball State or Indiana State University for the greatest good but how would that have benefited Mark Souder? Years ago I heard the definition of democracy; doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. How quaint! How unused! An e-mail circulating accurately pinpoints the lay of the land.
Congressional Reform Act of 2010:
1. Term limits: 12 years only: a. two six-year senate terms; b. six two-year house terms; c. one six-year senate terms and three two-year house terms; (My preference is two four year terms).
2. No tenure - no pension: a congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they leave.
3. Congress (past, present and future) participates in Social Security: all funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the SS system. Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congress pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3 percent.
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective Jan. 1, 2011.
Most of the above are followed by: Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators; serve your term(s), then go home and back to work. The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all the contracts for themselves.
