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Forum Post: How do we kick out all Members of Congress and replace them with honest Public Servants?

Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 18, 2011, 5:34 p.m. EST by mha (142)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

if money corrupts them and turns them to serve the interests of their funders instead of serving the interests of the people who elect them, then we should make sure to cut any other income for politicians than the salary we provide for this work.

but this system has to be passed by the congress. they will never willingly give up their privileges!

what can we do?

any ideas?

one other most important fact: the revolving door between washington and corporations/lobbyists. Any ideas how to stop this money-machine? it's ruining all political processes.

51 Comments

51 Comments


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[-] 2 points by aahpat (1407) 12 years ago

Here is a compilation of 148 current members of Congress who actually voted for the repeal of Glass-Steagall and set in motion the decade of Wall Street corruption.

The Congress that Crashed America. http://home.ptd.net/~aahpat/aandc/congcrash.html

Learn electoral apportionment math and it will give you a much clearer perception of what is needed to achieve change.

Using my state of Pennsylvania as an example, each Congressional district has a population of about 460,000. Of those probably 80% are eligible to vote. Maybe 368,000. In a great presidential turnout year like 2008 61% of them voted in many districts. 224.4-K actually went to the polls in any given district. 10% or more of those voters will be Independent and third party voters bringing the actual voter population that the Democrats and Republicans fight over in a Pennsylvania to just under 199-K. A member of Congress often needs about 100-K, or fewer in many cases, voters on their side to win.

The point of this math is to help people understand how few votes it actually takes to sway an election. These people have their dependable straight ticket voters but they can fail if they don't also gain the support of just a thousand or two Independents, third party and disaffected from the opposing party. If OWS people can get a thousand people to sign an angry petition in one district that represents a 1% of that 100-K of a 50-50 split. Especially since the politicians would look at each of those 1,000 and figure that their perspective is shared by another 5-10 who do not sign a petition or rally in the street.

So that 1,000 OWs supporters in a given Congressional district can represent, to the Congress-person, the sympathies of as many as 10-000 or 10% of thea votes they need to win.

So you make a loud showing of 1,000 voting Americans represented by petitions in a given Congressional district and you will scare the hell out of that legislator.

[-] 2 points by ineptcongress (648) 12 years ago

and the PALCB which contributes nicely to state coffers is being forced to give away that revenue stream, which in part pays for public benefits, to private companies. another example of corruption.

[-] 2 points by MonetizingDiscontent (1257) 12 years ago

lol, that's awesome aahpat. Thanks for it.

[-] 1 points by aahpat (1407) 12 years ago

I'm surprised anyone could wade through it. Thank you.

My numbers are, for most districts, on the high side of turnout so getting just a small number of like-minded angry Americans together in an election year scares the piss out of many of these cretins.

[-] 2 points by Shule (2638) 12 years ago

99% of Congress are but sock puppets for the evil 1%. I would not waste my time with Congress, but rather bypass them. Wage guerilla war (non-violent style) on the evil 1%, and eventually they will capitulate, and instruct the 99% Congress to do something sensible for the people.

[-] 2 points by kickthemout (83) 12 years ago

Just go to Washington,D.C. by the thousands and kick them out, all 535 of those skunks in Congress. They have established a dictatorship with more oppression to come. Give them 48 hours to pack and go. The Arabs did it, we can do it too.

[-] 1 points by PublicCurrency (1387) 12 years ago

Our monetary system has corrupted our republic. We should follow our laws because the U.S. Constitution does not allow the private bankers to issue and regulate our currency.

“Banking was conceived in iniquity and was born in sin. The bankers own the earth. Take it away from them, but leave them the power to create money, and with the flick of the pen they will create enough deposits to buy it back again. However, take it away from them, and all the great fortunes like mine will disappear and they ought to disappear, for this would be a happier and better world to live in. But, if you wish to remain the slaves of bankers and pay the cost of your own slavery, let them continue to create money.” – Sir Josiah Stamp, Director of the Bank of England (appointed 1928). Reputed to be the 2nd wealthiest man in England at that time.

[-] 1 points by MonetizingDiscontent (1257) 12 years ago

Simply decide what issues are the biggest concerns facing our country, think about what your principles are... start checking voting histories of people up for election in your area who have solid history of voting in alignment with your views on the Big Issues.

Check their voting records. Know who they are, don't just swallow what they tell you, or what someone else tells you. Do the math. Do the homework so you can think for yourself, most importantly.

Then Vote accordingly.

[-] 1 points by enough (587) 12 years ago

Pass the Bank Act and the Congressional Reform Act. These two measures will help weed out the crooks that litter the halls of congress.

[-] 1 points by Windsofchange (1044) 12 years ago

I think this is an important subject, so I am bumping it up.

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 12 years ago

one other most important fact: the revolving door between washington and corporations/lobbyists. Any ideas how to stop this money-machine? it's ruining all political processes.

[-] 1 points by Samcitt (136) 12 years ago

I think cyborgs or robots would be better.

[-] 1 points by RedJazz43 (2757) 12 years ago

I completely agree that the corporations completely dominate dominate the state which is why any effort at legislation designed to reign in the power of corporations is doomed to failure, It is their state, not ours, They own it lock stock and barrel, which is why I think our struggle needs to be extra parliamentary at least until we are considerably stronger at least 1000 times stronger than is presently the case, Meanwhile, while we can influence the course of events until we become much much stronger we are in no position to dictate their outcome,

[-] 1 points by Algee (182) 12 years ago

We change it all, let the people represent themselves as individual voters. The representative democracy thing has got to go.

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 12 years ago

how should that work for app. 300 million people?

[-] 1 points by Algee (182) 12 years ago

Time, work and dedication.

[-] 1 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

How do we kick out all Members of Congress and replace them with honest Public Servants?

Look here - http://osixs.org/Rev2_menu_commonsense.aspx

"We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress & the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." ~ Abraham Lincoln ~

Cheers!

[-] 1 points by kingscrossection (1203) 12 years ago

Here's my idea. When I'm old enough after I've gone through law school, I'm going to run for Congress with my sole goal being to get rid of all of their extras. It will take a while but by drawing public attention to it and making the other congress people feel trapped I can get them to vote on a change. Also without the extras people will be less likely to go into office solely for the profit.

[-] 1 points by mha (142) 12 years ago

one other most important fact: the revolving door between washington and corporations/lobbyists. Any ideas how to stop this money-machine? it's ruining all political processes.

[-] 1 points by kingscrossection (1203) 12 years ago

Bring it to the public view every time it happens.

[-] 1 points by SecularAnimist (51) 12 years ago

The US Empire is entering late-stage capitalist imperialism and all that entails: export the proletariat for cheap labor, constant resource wars, more and more militarization of the economy and society, rapid growth of a bloated and corrupt financial capitalist over-class with associated growing wealth disparity(beyond what was seen in the Robber Barren days) and maintenance of a ever-growing police state and underclass( a police state is a huge industry btw) with constant economic crisis and constant monetary injections to keep asset prices up and the consumer economy goosed(which is driven by the top 20% - the bottom 80% can wither up and die as far as anybody is concerned).

Eventually the system will alienate the majority of the population under it's current logic, one way or another. Or just implode.

This is not a rational society.

I forgot to add the dramatic mental and physical health deterioration that has been going on for decades that is now at epidemic levels and worsening.

[-] 1 points by HitGirI (-2) 12 years ago

I don't know, if elections don't work (how all of congress got their jobs) then I guess someone should just assume the position somehow, maybe you. Granted the reall 99% will want to tear you to pieces for being arrogant enough to assume leadership of this country but hey I wouldn't care.

[-] 1 points by Windsofchange (1044) 12 years ago

Put into play a vote of no confidence (they do have a 9% approval rating right now), or go down to Capitol Hill in and keep protesting and/or have large marches and tell them to resign immediately (starting with the worst offenders). We need a ton of people down there in D.C. to achieve this, otherwise it would never work.

[-] 1 points by Vooter (441) 12 years ago

Either work to pass a term-limits law, or try to get Americans to vote against the incumbent in every election, and at every level, regardless of whether or not the incumbent has done a good job.

[-] 1 points by plenty4all (1) 12 years ago

We all need to get behind Dylan Ratigan To Get Money Out of our govt.I think Dylan has something here! http://www.getmoneyout.com/

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

I think that there needs to be better questions that are asked of them. I think that has to be the first step to finding out where someone stands on what issues.

[-] 1 points by PeoplehaveDNA (305) 12 years ago

Occupy election districts for Congress.

[-] 1 points by TheStop (53) 12 years ago

they are voted in....vote them out. Once again most of the US is in the 1% so it is not likely you will succeed.

[-] 1 points by justicia (58) from New York, NY 12 years ago

End the system of legalized bribery we now have with unlimited private campaign finance.

We have enough radio and television outlets (broadcast and internet) that we could give every candidate for public office (state and national) free air time. In Europe, candidates get free air time and political ads are either banned or restricted in the weeks prior to the election.

[-] 1 points by Lmurguia7 (57) 12 years ago

Isn't this what OWS is all about? We (all !) need to investigate the financial activities of our own representatives and senators and publicize the results locally locally. There are organizations dedicated to this which can be found by searching the web.

[-] 1 points by ropeknot (359) 12 years ago

They're called the Green Mountain Boys militia !

[-] 1 points by Budcm (208) 12 years ago

I hate to say it, but I believe we need one more law. This is it:

Any person holding the public trust (that is teachers, preachers, members of the press, including news commentators, politicians, etc.) who lie knowingly to the public to fit their or others agendas, will be committing a felony, punishable by prison terms. We agree with the freedom of speech. When did that become the freedom to lie?

[-] 1 points by jomojo (562) 12 years ago

Bob Schaffer (the old news guy this Sunday), editorially suggested how. The only things I remember was: Don't pay them. Substitute in their place lawmakers elected for one year terms. His tongue in cheek plan was clever and fun to picture.

[-] 1 points by OurTimes2011 (377) from Arlington, VA 12 years ago

All sitting members out. Reboot.

You have to start it, mha. You.

[-] 0 points by Tinhorn (285) 12 years ago

The main problem is finding that many "Honest Public Servants." Even those that are Honest now but have not yet been thrown into that arena are likely to become just as corrupt given the opportunity.

[-] 0 points by aries (463) from Nutley, NJ 12 years ago

Now you are talking !!!!

[-] 0 points by Renaye (522) 12 years ago

Here, here !!!

[-] 0 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

What You Gonna Do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjPJ45kmDz8

You can be the change you want to see. You can be a delegate.

http://www.the99declaration.org/

[-] 0 points by ropeknot (359) 12 years ago

Guns and guts?

Seems like the pen hasn't been mightier than the sword except for the ones who supposedly rule !

[-] 2 points by OLLAG (84) 12 years ago

wow. If you kill people your only showing you are the minority of the people and not 99%.

[-] 1 points by OLLAG (84) 12 years ago

wow killer.

[-] 1 points by ropeknot (359) 12 years ago

Not !

Just some older person who believes in laying down their life , as well as all the lives who have fought and died for what our constitution stands for !

[-] 1 points by OLLAG (84) 12 years ago

If you need to kill to get elected members out of office, then it proves you aren't the majority or you be able to elect new people.

Besides if a OWS member kills a government member the OWS will loose members and people will want to be away from you. If you start killing people the OWS will be something no one wants to be a part of.

[-] 1 points by ropeknot (359) 12 years ago

These people in congress don't need to be killed , but the show of guns is mighty intimidating when you're being ousted !

[-] 1 points by RayBanz (3) 12 years ago

Well, the Impeachment/ Recall process is slow, but starting them on the 86 + 1... would monkeywrench campaign shenanigans. Ground for impeachment of the President of course: signing NDAA in opposition to his Oath of Office. (If you remember he took it twice as he tripped up the first time. So charming. So charismatic. )Anyway, impeachment would spur a lot of grassroots interaction in communities, even in small comunities. I feel the grassroots interaction would be a way Occupy could get good solidarity in the smaller communities that may not be so sasvy and are still watching mainstream news. This could also give another big splash of attention towards the OWS Amendment at the same time.

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