Sematary
09-05-2008, 05:46 AM
I know most of you know who they are. We have close to 100,000 for the CFL.
People need to sign up for downsizedc.
http://www.downsizedc.org/
Their agenda:
* The Read the Bills Act (RTBA) would require members of Congress to read their bills before voting to pass a law, create a program, or spend your money. A quorum of Congress would have to sit and listen to a word for word, in order reading of the entire bill. And after that reading, Congress would have a seven day waiting period before they could cast their final vote, during which the bill would be posted on the Internet so that members of the press, watchdog groups, or YOU can read it.
RTBA would give Congress an incentive to shorten their bills and would almost certainly reduce the number of bills they pass. It would prevent them from sneaking things into bills and end the practice of last minute surprise votes. And you can help get it introduced by sending a message to your Representative and Senators using our new Educate the Powerful System.
* The Write the Laws Act (WTLA) could've been called the Separation of Powers Act. This bill deals with unconstitutional delegation of power. According to the Constitution, Congress should write the laws, not unelected bureaucrats or judges. And of course, Congress should have to read the laws before passing them! Recently, Congressman Ron Paul told me he'd be willing to study and consider WTLA. I know there are fans of his on this list, so please remind him of his commitment. And for the rest of you DC Downsizers, you can help get this bill introduced by sending a message to your Representative and Senators using our free Educate the Powerful System.
* The One Subject at a Time Act (OSTA) would require Congress to pick a clear descriptive title for their bills. Then, everything in the bill must match what's in the title. Moreover, the contents of the bill are limited to the product of one of the standing oversight committees.
OSTA would've prevented Congress from inserting online gambling prohibitions into a Port Security bill. It would've stopped Congress from jamming the Real ID Act into a bill for Iraq troop appropriations. You can advance OSTA by sending a message to your Representative and Senators using our new Educate the Powerful System.
* The Enumerated Powers Act (HR 1359) is largely symbolic. But its passage would require Congress to include the Constitutional justification for each piece of legislation right in the bill. This requirement would create a record of shame that might become politically, or even legally useful. Shouldn't Congress be required to cite the Constitution when they act? If you think so, you can help bring HR 1359 to a vote with a message to your Representative and Senators using our free Educate the Powerful System.
That's the Downsize DC Agenda. But we have one more procedural bill that we think really matters.
* The Fiscal Responsibility Act (HR 500) would apply consequences on Congress when they deficit spend -- they would see their salary cut! Not only would they lose their pay raises, they'd see their pay decline. Instead of drunken sailors, they'd be required to behave more like stock-holding, board members. And if you want to see HR 500 passed, please send a message to your Representative and Senators using our new Educate the Powerful System.
Procedure matters. Incentives matter. And DownsizeDC.org has a real process to begin reform.
The power is in your hands: a few keyboard clicks and a couple mouse clicks. As a DC Downsizer you can, “Educate the Powerful!”
People need to sign up for downsizedc.
http://www.downsizedc.org/
Their agenda:
* The Read the Bills Act (RTBA) would require members of Congress to read their bills before voting to pass a law, create a program, or spend your money. A quorum of Congress would have to sit and listen to a word for word, in order reading of the entire bill. And after that reading, Congress would have a seven day waiting period before they could cast their final vote, during which the bill would be posted on the Internet so that members of the press, watchdog groups, or YOU can read it.
RTBA would give Congress an incentive to shorten their bills and would almost certainly reduce the number of bills they pass. It would prevent them from sneaking things into bills and end the practice of last minute surprise votes. And you can help get it introduced by sending a message to your Representative and Senators using our new Educate the Powerful System.
* The Write the Laws Act (WTLA) could've been called the Separation of Powers Act. This bill deals with unconstitutional delegation of power. According to the Constitution, Congress should write the laws, not unelected bureaucrats or judges. And of course, Congress should have to read the laws before passing them! Recently, Congressman Ron Paul told me he'd be willing to study and consider WTLA. I know there are fans of his on this list, so please remind him of his commitment. And for the rest of you DC Downsizers, you can help get this bill introduced by sending a message to your Representative and Senators using our free Educate the Powerful System.
* The One Subject at a Time Act (OSTA) would require Congress to pick a clear descriptive title for their bills. Then, everything in the bill must match what's in the title. Moreover, the contents of the bill are limited to the product of one of the standing oversight committees.
OSTA would've prevented Congress from inserting online gambling prohibitions into a Port Security bill. It would've stopped Congress from jamming the Real ID Act into a bill for Iraq troop appropriations. You can advance OSTA by sending a message to your Representative and Senators using our new Educate the Powerful System.
* The Enumerated Powers Act (HR 1359) is largely symbolic. But its passage would require Congress to include the Constitutional justification for each piece of legislation right in the bill. This requirement would create a record of shame that might become politically, or even legally useful. Shouldn't Congress be required to cite the Constitution when they act? If you think so, you can help bring HR 1359 to a vote with a message to your Representative and Senators using our free Educate the Powerful System.
That's the Downsize DC Agenda. But we have one more procedural bill that we think really matters.
* The Fiscal Responsibility Act (HR 500) would apply consequences on Congress when they deficit spend -- they would see their salary cut! Not only would they lose their pay raises, they'd see their pay decline. Instead of drunken sailors, they'd be required to behave more like stock-holding, board members. And if you want to see HR 500 passed, please send a message to your Representative and Senators using our new Educate the Powerful System.
Procedure matters. Incentives matter. And DownsizeDC.org has a real process to begin reform.
The power is in your hands: a few keyboard clicks and a couple mouse clicks. As a DC Downsizer you can, “Educate the Powerful!”