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New Laws That Let Us Laugh:
Would our current Congress vote for these laws? It brings us a smile to imagine it!
VUI - Voting Under the Influence
It is against the law to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Pilots have strict rules about drugs and alcohol before they can take the controls. But do the elected officials run our country while under the influence? From the headlines, it may be so.
This bill would require every Congressperson to take a sobriety test before voting in committee or on the floor. If they aren't sober enough to drive, they aren't sober enough to vote. Results of the tests would be published within 24 hours on the web.
RTBA - Read the Bills Act
This piece of legislation is sponsored by Downsize DC.(Details here) Our federal legislators sign bills every year that they have no idea what is even in them! Sometimes they aren't even printed before the final vote. Last minute changes are negotiated privately and aren't known until after the bill becomes law.
What could be simpler? They have to read the bill, or in case they are unable to read it themselves, at least have it read to them. This change also gives citizens the time to read the bill by having it posted on the internet prior to a vote. Let the sun shine in!
RFID Tags for Congress
Congress wants all Americans to be identified with a national electronic identity card coordinated with the driver's license and passed the "REAL ID" act a year ago.
But aren't our lawmakers more important than the average citizen?
Jim Babka of Downsize DC suggests that to keep our representatives safe, we should put a "Radio Frequency Identification" tag, or RFID tag implant on our senators and congress people.
I really like this. The trail of our representatives could be posted to the internet real time and we would be be so relieved to know that we can check up on them and know that they are safe, 24 hours a day. (Their location could be superimposed on a map of lobbyists and bars) If the feds can take away our nail clippers at airports to be REALLY safe, this seems like a much better deal.
Like Jim says, "Privacy is a thing of the past. Congress has told us we need to be willing to trade it - that we should accept and support their efforts to protect us. I learn best by example. I hope they'll do the right and bold thing - that they will have these tracking tags placed under their own skin."
Charity for the Government Act (CGA)
This act would make it easier for citizens who appreciate the great job the government is doing with their money to contribute more of it! Americans are a very generous people giving away between 250 and 800 billion dollars (depending on who is counting) a year VOLUNTARILY! I called the IRS last week make a donation to them, figuring that we all know that the feds spend our money better than private charities and I wanted to send in my $200 bucks.
The IRS agent was stunned and put me on hold. I talked to her supervisor, and his supervisor and her supervisor. They claim NO ONE had every asked to make a voluntary contribution before and no one knew how to do it.
Well, I figure that if so many voters vote for representatives that spend sooo much of their money, that they must be pleased with the job that they do...and surely some will want to contribute more.
This bill adds a list of government programs to the IRS form that people can check off and contribute extra money! Want to help pay off the national debt? Check the $50 box. Want to fund a local swimming pool in Michigan? ? Check the $200 box. You get the idea.
I am confident that this will bring in a few extra billion to help our debt strapped Congress. But...if the voters don't respond by donating...then maybe we should ask why!
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