“CONGRESS REFORM ACT OF 2011”

You have probably seen this before, but ATC Services thought that you might want to keep this in mind. Since the Congress has a approval rating in the teens, they may want to adopt this “Congress Reform Act of 2011”. If not, the electorate should place this on the ballot.

This is a simple amendment that would help our congressmen with the principle of “Leadership by Example” and hopefully bring them into the reality of the benefits or lack of that most of us experience as regular citizens.
                                                                                                                            Ricardo 

Congress Reform Act of 2011

This is bipartisan in nature and refers to Democrat, Republican, and Independent Americans! We should all seriously consider helping with the
change suggested below. This is something I will fight for and I hope you will too. This is short so please read it all the way through and then forward. You
will be glad you did.
 
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it.
That was in 1971 ( Viet Nam war draft)..but before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
 
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land…all because of public pressure.

I’m asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.  In three days, most people in The United States of America will have this message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011
 
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when she or he is out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system and Congress participates side-by-side with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

 4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

 5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

 6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

 7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

 If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take
three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message. Maybe it is
time.

“DOES CONGRESS HAVE THE RIGHT? – THE LAW SAYS NO!”

 

ATC Services read this article and found it compelling enough to put up for your comments and consideration. Much is being said about how our liberties are being undermined. Here is another example of the government trying to tell you what to do, and some intellegent people saying wait a minute you can’t do that.

Obamacare‘s Fate Rests With Poor Farmer Filburn

Daniel Fisher, Forbes Staff

Another day, another Obamacare ruling. Less than a week after the influential Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the president’s sweeping healthcare reform act, a federal judge in Pennsylvania declared it unconstitutional. In a concise, 52-page decision, Judge Christopher Conner ruled that the mandate to purchase insurance as a condition of citizenship exceeded the authority of  Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

What makes this latest ruling interesting, as noted by Timothy Sandefur of the Pacific Legal Foundation, is the way Conner, a George W. Bush appointee, looked past the activity/inactivity distinction other courts have found so important and simply said Congress doesn’t have the power to compel people to buy a product before they need it.

Obamacare opponents have to find some way around Wickard v. Filburn, the odd 1941 Supreme Court decision that upheld the power of the federal government to prevent Ohio farmer Roscoe Filburn from growing wheat for his own consumption. Like a lighthouse standing on a rock far from shore, Wickard stands as a marker for the outer limits of the power of Congress to regulate economic activity. If Congress can compel a farmer to stop growing wheat for his own use, the argument goes, it can do anything.
Conner found a neat path around Wickard as well as Gonzalez v. Raich, a 2005 decision upholding a federal law prohibiting another kind of farmer from cultivating marijuana. In both cases, Conner wrote, Congress was leaving open the choice of not engaging in the prohibited activity. Roscoe Filburn could choose not to grow wheat in excess of his quota under the federal price-support regulations, Conner wrote, and Gonzalez could choose not to grow pot.

The problem with the individual mandate, he said, is that it requires people to buy insurance for healthcare expenses before they actually incur them. Plaintiffs Barbara and Gregory Bachman successfully argued the law had an immediate impact on them because they had to put off buying a new car to prepare for the health-insurance premiums they will have to start paying in 2013.

“Congress may lawfully regulate the interstate market for health insurance and health services, but Congress cannot require individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance or individuals who are not currently seeking or receiving services in the health care market to purchase health insurance in order to stabilize the health insurance market. Congress cannot mandate or regulate in anticipation of conduct that may or may not occur in the future.

In summary, he said, “the mere status of being without  health insurance, in and of itself, has absolutely no impact whatsoever on interstate commerce.”

The government argued that healthcare is unique, particularly in how it is financed. Health insurance, by definition, is a product you buy in anticipation of future needs. The market doesn’t work if people only pay premiums when they have a claim. Conner acknowledged the argument but said the Supreme Court hasn’t recognized uniqueness as a limiting principle on Congressional power.

What about those arguments that if Congress can force people to buy insurance, it can force them to buy anything? Conner dismissed those fears as “unproductive and unpersuasive.” First of all, Congress can only regulate economic activity. And even if it determines that eating broccoli or buying a General Motors car falls under that category, Conner wrote, “an informed electorate would not countenance frivolous mandates.”

He did acknowledge his decision, if upheld, would create big problems for the parts of the law requiring insurers to provide coverage to all comers. He ruled that the individual mandate was essential to those regulations and so threw them out as well. Congress can fix the problem, he suggested, by invoking its taxing powers instead.

“If, as the Bachmans suggest, the problem lies in Congress’s inability to secure majority support for such action …then perhaps the crisis is not sufficiently acute for appropriate congressional resolution or, alternatively, there are less burdensome options yet to be pursued. This is a conundrum that is Congress’s to resolve.

The decision leaves the Obama administration with a clear-cut victory in the Fourth Circuit, a so-so victory in the Sixth Circuit (one judge in the two-judge majority left open the possibility of a challenge after the law is effective) and a loss in the Eleventh Circuit. Appeals experts for both sides are honing their arguments to convince swing-vote Justice Anthony Kennedy as we speak.

“ It is less important to redistribute wealth than it is to redistribute opportunity. ”
                                                                        — Arthur H. Vandenberg

“THIS GUY TELLS IT LIKE IT IS”

ATC Services took a day off yesterday, but unlike Congress we are right back at it today. A friend of mine sent this video link that has a gentleman stating what so many Americans are saying. They just aren’t doing it publically.

Here is the link to the video. Take a look at it and give us your comments. If you are a mind too pass it along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SGyVNippvA&

“NOVEL APPROACH TO FIX THE DEFICIT”

Yesterday, ATC Services presented a novel approach for solving the debt crisis in the US. Probably, you considered this a far out solution, and it probably was. Here is a interesting solution from someone who is much more finiancially savvy. Mr. Warren Buffet has spent his life making huge and significant financial decisions concerning his business. He now weighs in on the debt crisis and a potential solution.

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes I’ve heard in all this drama about the debt ceiling:

“I could end the deficit in 5 minutes,” he told CNBC. “You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election.”

This just may get the attention of the Congress.

 

“NOVEL APPROACH – “HOW WOULD YOU FIX THE ECONOMY?”

This has been around for some time and you all have probably seen it, but if you haven’t it is a novel approach. ATC Services sees where this is somewhat thinking outside the box. However, the logic is there for debate.

BEST SOLUTION I’VE HEARD YET….. From a senior citizen around 80 yrs. of age. We aren’t useless yet! 
 
The Fix

There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg , Fl. Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: “How Would You Fix the Economy?” I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America’s economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies or foreign countries, that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.

You can call it the “Patriotic Retirement Plan“:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new AMERICAN Car. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed.

It can’t get any easier than that!!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes..

Mr. President, while you’re at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare.  I’ll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!

If you think this would work, please comment to our blog.

“GREAT JOB CONGRESS – S&P DOWNGRADES US CREDIT RATING”

They just get better and better. Incompetentcy runs rampant in Washington. This dysfunctional Congress and Administration have added another failing grade to their report card. ATC Services, like all the rest of Americans, will suffer because of this incompetent group. Our interest rates for everything are about to go up. All for the inability of the Administration and Congress.

Here is an excerpt from an article on the downgrading, and a response to one of the Administrations’ brain trust putting down the American taxpayers.

 

By HENRY C. JACKSON
WASHINGTON

Republicans and Democrats quickly doled out blame to each other for the first-ever downgrade in the nation’s sterling credit rating, an expected but unsettling move that further clouds prospects for the recovery of the fragile U.S. economy.

The back and forth came after Standard & Poor’s, one of the world’s three major credit rating agencies, cited “difficulties in bridging the gulf between political parties” as a major reason for the downgrade from U.S.’s top shelf AAA status to AA+, the next level down. The rating agency has essentially lost faith in Washington’s ability to work together to address its debt.

The downgrade, hours after markets closed on Friday, is a first for the United States since it was granted an AAA rating in 1917. S&P warned about a downgrade as far back as April. Its decision came just four days after fractious debate over raising the nation’s debt ceiling ended in a compromise that would reduce the country’s debt by more than $2 trillion. S&P said Friday the cuts did not go far enough.

Both political parties used S&P’s report to buffet their policy cases and attack the other side.

AP writers Martin Crutsinger and Tom Raum contributed to this report.
__________________________________________________________
And now for the contemptious attitude of the people whom we are suppose to follow:

Hurrah for Montana dude

 Amen!!!  Read on for a gentleman who tells it like it is!

THIS SENIOR CITIZEN NAILED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming , Co-Chair of Obama’s deficit commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he
compared “Social Security” to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.
August, 2010.
 
Here’s a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana ..
I think he is a little ticked off!   He also tells it like it is !
—————————————————————————————————————————-
 
“Hey Alan, let’s get a few things straight..
 
1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY
YEARS.
 
2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15
years old. I am now 63).
 
3 My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other
Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for
decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give
OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus
bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme
that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.
 
4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the
proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing
retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to
age 67.  NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the
goalposts YET AGAIN.
 
5  I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare
from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the
game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy to such an  extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay the bills.
 
6.  I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why?  Because you incompetent bast–ds spent our money so profligately that you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.
to add insult to injury, you label us “greedy” for calling “bulls–t” on
your incompetence. Well, Captain Bulls–t, I have a few questions for
YOU.
 
1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during your pathetic 50-year political career?
 
2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and
how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the
American taxpayers?
 
3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?
 
4.  What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you
proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual,
have  you exempted yourself and your political cronies?
 
It is you, Captain Bulls–t, and your political co-conspirators called
Congress who are the “greedy” ones.  It is you and your fellow nutcases
who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from
millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers.  And for what?  Votes.  That’s right,
sir.  You and yours have bankrupted America   for the sole purpose of
advancing your pathetic political careers.  You know it, we know it, and
you know that we know it.
 
And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a bi–h.
 
If you like the way things are in America, delete this.  If you agree with
what a fellow Montana citizen says,  PASS IT ON TO OTHERS BY RECOMMENDING OUT BLOG!!!

“AFTER THIS LAST DEBACLE – SHOULD WE REFORM CONGRESS?”

As you know, ATC Services has been weighing in on the Congressonal Debate over the Debt Limit. Some thoughts have been circulating around concerning the need to reform congress. Specifically, how they should participate in the same retirement programs, healthcare programs, and pay increases that are governed by the same rules as the rest of America.

Here is an article with specific recommendations about how the Congress should be reformed to be in the same boat as the rest of American citizens that they profess to represent.

This is bipartisan in nature and is for both Democrats and Republicans. This is short so please read it all the way through. You will be glad you did.

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified!  Why?  Simple!  The people  demanded it.  That was in 1971…before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.

Of  the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land…all because of public pressure.

Congressional Reform Act of  2011

1.   No Tenure / No  Pension.
      A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2.   Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.  All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.  All future funds flow into the Social Security system and Congress participates with the American people.  It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12.  The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.   Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The  Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

Maybe it is time.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!

“THE FEAR MONGERS ARE IN FULL SWING”

ATC Services continues to wonder “What are they thinking?” It is painfully obvious that partician politics is alive and well. Negotiating large contracts is not an unknown territory for me. With much of the people in the Congress and the Administration being lawyers, the much know thing for a lawyer is “Never ask a question that you don’t already know the answer”. The Speaker of the House knew full well he had to show he could lead and keep his position as Speaker. He put forward a plan that should he had the required number of votes to be considered the leader, but knowing full well it would not pass in the Senate. So the logical question is “Why?” Stupidity seems to reign on Capitol Hill, and for the American people it seems our opinion doesn’t count. The American people want a debt ceiling increase because it means jobs and a solidification of our economy. Does anyone in Washington understand this. With regard to the debt reduction, of course we want to see a balanced budget. The means to get there doesn’t have to jeopardize the American way of life, hinder job creation, stabilize the economy, or guarantee anyone’s election in 2012. It is their job to do all of the above. We put them there to do just that, not this spoiled child portrayal that is going on in Congress and the Administration.
The American people may have voted for divided government, but they didn’t vote for a dysfunctional government, not this ridiculous position that is being taken.
The President stated, yesterday, “We need to reach a compromise by Tuesday so that our country will have the ability to pay its bills on time, bills like Social Security checks, veterans’ benefits and contracts we’ve signed with thousands of American businesses.”
Nothing like scaring the seniors, veterans, and businesses to posture yourself where “It’s not our fault.”
If we default it is the fault of the selfish Congress and the Administrations unwillingness to put its’ plan on the table and fight for compromise.
Enough said.