ALL are important, and over time our politicians and their moneyed interests have captured and control virtually all of them.
We MUST take back control with …
- Public funding of campaigns (mandated, not an option!) Prohibit politicians from “taking” campaign bribes. We must get the politicians working for “We The People” rather than the Fat Cats who fund their elections. (And the costs are less than “private” funding, when balanced aginst the costs of payola.)
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- Redistricting by computer and a panel of nonpartisan judges (eliminate gerrymandering corruption)
- Instant Runoff or proportional voting (give ALL candidates a voice, not just the two biggies!)
- None-of-the-above ballot choice (if NTA wins, a new election is called!)
- Blackout of lobbying employment for 5 years after leaving government (members and staff) *NO* exceptions!
- Prohibit the hiring of lobbyists for staff positions
- Term limits (no more that 12 years in congress) or forever if convicted of a felony. (OR make the threshold 60% on subsequent terms.)
- OR, double their salaries and limit to ONE term.
- Must put all finances in a (REAL) blind trust
- Put congress on a pay-for-performance basis
- Mandate that congress members be controlled by all laws passed for citizens, health care and Social Security included (no exemptions!)
- Members cannot buy stock or invest, other than through a REAL blind trust
- No staff bonuses. Salary is enough.
- No government credit cards.
- Ban voice votes. Restore accountability to the people.
- Members and staff on same retirement and medical plan as public.
- Members salaries adjusted downward when economy falls, upwards when economy thrives.
Of course, there are more. Same-day voter registration and voter-ID could well be on the list, and fixes are indeed needed. But limiting our resources are vital to our success. Of course we support them all, but the first on the list is the most critical.
Note also that these ALL will help fix our corrupt political system, but FEW politicians want it fixed. Thus the need for a strong center-voter effort.