Responsible Independent Representation

• We, the people. should insist that Article XXII (22) of the United States Constitution should be amended to include the offices of Senator and House of Representatives. Two (2) terms in any elected Federal office should be sufficient. The problem with the current Congress is that many members have served for so long that they no longer represent the people, but rather, represent their own personal interests. At this time, once a person is elected to office their only concern becomes re-election. Additionally, we, the people, should be demanding an amendment applying to Congress that they may not exempt themselves from any law that applies to the other citizens of the country.

• Operating the country on a balanced budget would be in the best interest of the country and the people. It would give stability to the country and its people. Additionally, it would only be in the direst of circumstances that the Federal government should borrow money from other countries.

• The practice of "pork barreling" should be outlawed. No amendment to any Bill or Law should be allowed that does not directly pertain to that Bill/Law. Example: Why should a defense Bill have amendments in it that pertain to the study of field mice in some Senator's or Representative's home district? This is corruption; there is not another word for it. No more bridges to nowhere. If someone feels that their district or project should be Federally funded, then stand up in Congress and explain why . If you cannot justify it-why is it being proposed? This includes bailing out select private businesses.

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents" James Madison, Author of the United States Constitution

• Advocate that the 1964 Civil Rights Act be amended to read that not only may no one be discriminated against because of race, religion, gender, national origin sexual preference, etc., but that they may not be given preferred treatment for those same reasons. Equality should be equal opportunities for everyone-no more, no less.

• Transparency in campaign donations. Candidates need to be required to list ALL donations, the amount and who made the contributions. A complete list, no exceptions, no soft money, no hard money-no under-the-table, skirting the law or hiding special interest support. Receive it. Report it. Reveal it.

• The present graduated tax should be scrapped. It is inherently unfair. No one pays the same rate. The tax code is riddled with so many contradictions and special circumstances that it is unreadable; no one is capable of understanding it, including those who passed the laws. This is evidenced by the number of Federal officials who continue to be found in violation and say that they did not understand the code as an excuse for failure to pay taxes, If those who write the codes cannot understand them, then why do they expect the general taxpayers to comprehend them. The code is completely and purposely designed to allow the Congress and their friends and supporters special loopholes to avoid the taxes the rest of us have to pay.

We the people, sould demand a flat tax, with NO EXCEPTIONS. why should anyone not pay their fair share of taxes--do we not all live here and benefit from what they provide? Why should we not all pay the same rate? It matters not how much we make, we should all pay the same rate? I believe that a 10% (ten percent) flat tax would be acceptable. (Social Security may have to be in addition to this if it is kept in our system, though I might not be against privatizing this system in the future.) Without all of the exemptions/exceptions that so many use and all of the other loopholes closed, the income of the country would probably increase under this plan. Plus, the simplicity of the system would eliminate the huge costs of the present system. The IRS would not need the immense amount of workers, (most who admit they do not know the code themselves) so we would save billions of dollars in unnecessary expense. The income tax would apply to ALL earned income.

With this set percentage, everyone would know exactly what they pay in taxes each year, if it continues to be withheld as it is now, your entire tax return could be on a single sheet of paper. Include business income in this, as well. Business also benefits by operating in this country. With the same type of flat tax it would relieve their tax problems, simplify their business filings and make it easier to figure overhead.

The tax rules should be in plain English language that the average American can understand rather that the current "legalese" that is confusing, and often require professional/legal counsel for clarification.

To paraphrase the "King of Brobdingnag," "Laws are NOT best explained, interpreted and applied by those whose interests and abilities lie in perverting, confounding and eluding them." Gulliver's Travels

• Immigration reform legislation is not needed. We already have laws in place. Why are those laws not enforced? We have the right to secure our own borders, just as a private citizen has the right to secure his/her own home. The only change necessary is to remove any legislation providing automatic citizenship for some simply because they are born on American soil. That privilege belongs to those born of United States citizens. No amnesty for illegal aliens-we do not reward illegal activity.

• We need to remove ourselves from the internal affairs of other countries. We do not want them in our internal affairs-why should we be involved in theirs? This interference is what causes wars, as we should know by now. If another country wants our assistance, we need an agreement that itemizes exactly what our help entails and who will pay. We are not the policemen of the world, nor a rich uncle that bails everyone out of whatever problem they are having at the time.

• Putting oneself in harm's way for the service of one's country should be recognized and appreciated. In the past, promises were made to our service personnel. Those promises have not always been kept. This is wrong. We should have a specific contract with our service personnel and that contract should be honored. The United States government should take care of its Armed Services Personnel and this should be its only health care endeavor.