Rigell: Proposed Congressional Reforms
By Bearing Drift | Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 | PoliticsThe American people instinctively know that our Congress is broken, placing America at serious and increasing risk. Many of the problems we are facing in the Second Congressional District and across America, including out-of-control federal spending, bloated bureaucracy, and an ever increasing amount of regulation, are a direct result of a Congress that is completely detached from us and financial reality. There are far too many incentives for members of Congress to make short-term decisions that benefit themselves but hurt America, both short-term and long-term. True congressional reform is something that the people want not only in the Second District, but all across our great land. They want leaders to challenge and change Congress. I have a specific plan to do just that, and the deep resolve to move the plan forward.
I am the only candidate in this election who is moving forward a strong, defined, and aggressive congressional reform agenda. My congressional reform initiatives will challenge and change the parts of Congress that are broken. These reforms benefit the long-term interest of the American people. Because these reforms eliminate the many benefits of being an incumbent, they will not win me friends in Washington from either party.
From eliminating perks and ultra-generous retirement privileges to rolling back the office budget increases Congress voted for recently, I will lead by example and live by my reforms, whether they are enacted into law or not. That’s leadership by example, a principle I learned from my drill instructors at Parris Island in 1978. If I have the high honor of representing the people of the Second District, I am fully committed to changing Congress, rather than having Congress change me.
People often ask how I plan to make a difference as only one person in Congress. It takes the coordinated effort of like-minded leaders to make a difference in Congress, and I have been reaching out for months now to other like-minded candidates across the country. I’m encouraging them to review and commit to the following reforms. In humble recognition that no one person holds all the wisdom, I’ve asked them for their ideas on how to improve the reforms. I invite and encourage you to do the same here. I read and appreciate every post. To pass on the blessings of freedom and liberty, now is the time to tread boldly in reforming our Congress.
Yours in Freedom,
Scott Rigell
I, Scott Rigell, will serve according to these reforms, whether they are enacted into law or not:
1. “No Campaigning at Taxpayers’ Expense Act” – We will roll back congressional office budgets to 2008 levels. Only two direct mail pieces will be sent each year, no closer than 3 months prior to an election, standardized in form and content, one page only, using recycled paper and black and white ink. Using taxpayer funds to pay for robo-calls is specifically prohibited.
2. “Congressional Pension Reform Act” – We will reduce the incentive to stay in Congress by replacing the congressional retirement system in its entirety with a modest 403(b) match program similar to what is commonly offered by American employers. Benefits earned by current members of Congress and retirees would be honored.
3. “Term Limits Initiative” – We pledge to serve no more than 12 years in Congress. We pledge to lead a movement to lawfully amend our United States Constitution to create term limits for members of Congress.
4. “End Free Travel” – We will end free travel, whether sponsored by foundations or lobbyists. Only government trips on official business – real official business – will be allowed.
5. “Voting Records Available Online” – We will publish all Committee votes in full online.
6. “Limits on Lobbying” – We will ban members of Congress, or congressional staffers, from lobbying Congress or being employed by a company that performs lobbying services for five years after they end their tenure or employment.
7. “Constitutional Authority Act” – We will require that any bill presented for consideration include in its first article the constitutional reference and rationale that would make the bill, if passed, constitutional.
8. “Stop the Pork – Stop the Earmarks Act” – We will prohibit the introduction of all non-defense, non-national security related earmarks into any piece of federal legislation. Earmarks will only be allowed for defense-related funding and only when specifically identified and requested by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security.
In addition to my congressional reforms, I am also encouraging other candidates to join me in supporting the following initiatives to improve Congress:
1. Focus On Our Priorities – In firm protest of Congress’ misplaced priorities, evidenced in part by time spent voting on often meaningless proclamations, we will simply vote “present” on such proclamations until our budget is balanced and we are a nation at peace.
2. Fallen Heroes – Federal buildings will be named only after fallen heroes of our armed services, not politicians.
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Bearing Drift has been providing an online conservative voice in Virginia politics since 2004. The name describes relative motion at sea - without bearing drift, you need to move to the right to avoid a collision! If it looks like the ship-of-state is going to wreck, move right; you can't go wrong!!!
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25 Responses to "Rigell: Proposed Congressional Reforms"
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Of for Pete’s sake; who would bother to read this blather. Everyone knows one thing for certain; Rigell would be a soldier in Boehner/Cantor’s army. That means tax cuts for multi national corporations, tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, repeal of our health care so private insurers can cancel us if we need our own insurance, and lock step with the Bush agenda that caused the worst financial crisis since the Depression. Frankly, no thanks Scott.
Oh for Pete’s sake; who would bother to read this blather. Everyone knows one thing for certain; Rigell would be a soldier in Boehner/Cantor’s army. That means tax cuts for multi national corporations, tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, repeal of our health care so private insurers can cancel us if we need our own insurance, and lock step with the Bush agenda that caused the worst financial crisis since the Depression. Frankly, no thanks Scott.
Scott Rigell is a man of integrity and keeps his word. He has proven this time and again. A candidate we can all stand proudly behind and vote for. Count me in.
It all sounds good to me – and I’m very tough to please.
Let’s hope he sticks to his words.
Awesome. I really appreciate the leadership Scott Rigell has shown in this area. He is willing to take the tough steps to help improve our Congress, and I applaud that.
Term Limits. Do any congressmen coming up on 12 years support this act?
“Term Limits Initiative” – We pledge to serve no more than 12 years in Congress. We pledge to lead a movement to lawfully amend our United States Constitution to create term limits for members of Congress.
Isn’t that what Goodlatte said say… 12 years ago? I’ll believe this when I see it.
Frankly, no thanks Mike Barrett. These are excellent reforms that either party can and should embrace. I’m thankful that someone is finally speaking up and willing to take heat for these ideas. The problem with our country starts with the corruption in Congress and it needs to end. Go Rigell!
How about a no junk mail act. The post office delivers mostly rubbish in order to stay afloat. I have to pick through layers of soon to be printed trash in order to eek out actual mail. The postal service solicits advertisers to cover revenue shortfalls but that is not what the postal service was created for.
12 years? LOL After two years of (possible) GOP house control with the unemployment rates remaining steady, the voters are going to dump the GOP and vote for Dems or anyone else on the ballot…
Becareful what you ask for winning is one thing but two years from now you have to be accountable.
12 years… What a political crock of crap. LOL…
Come on turbo you want to limit free speech in the mail? you would also be hampering millions of small businesses who count on direct mail.
So the return is low for these businesses-so what. These businesses factor in those costs and expect low returns. I can’t believe you would advocate limiting the rights of individuals and businesses because you don’t like junk mail. Empotional arguments based on anecdotal evidence is no way to develop sound policy-Kenny has definitely been a influence on you. Just a joke guys.
This is the typical drivel that a wanna be’s send out in the later stages of a campaign. Frankly, don’t confuse this with any real action plan. We all know what a country club republican stands for; more tax cuts for the rich so they can buy better wine; more tax breaks for multi national corporations; and less regulation of wall street so they can continue to rob all of us blind. Who needs that again? My 401k is now back to where it was when Bush’s policies cut it close in half. Frankly, I will take slow, steady, and dependable growth over republican irrational exhuberance anyday.
Not a fan of #3, #6 or #8. All unnecessary solutions to problems that should be solved politically, and #6 violates the First Amendment.
Scott Rigell is running because he, like most Americans, shares a growing concern about the future of this country. These reforms are the best thing our congress could do to increase accountability and take responsibility for the direction of our nation. Rigell is a strong leader with proven integrity, and he has earned the credentials to represent the 2nd district
If #6 violates the 1st amendment, then there are laws already on the books that are unconstitutional.
I would agree with that, King. Barring people from exercising their first amendment right to petition is an unnecessary infringement on the first amendment. The fact that someone served in Congress doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be permitted to lobby when they’ve left it.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PELOSIS_ETHICS_RECORD?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
This is why we need these reforms.
And let’s not forget that Glenn Nye voted to allow Charlie Rangel to keep his chairmanship of the powerful Ways and Means committee.
Congress is corrupt; we gotta clean it up!!
Congress is corrupt; we gotta clean it up!!
So which party are you going to start with?
So I guess that 10,000 to the YES campaign was not duplicitous?
You know who supported the YES campaign? None other than then-Delegate Bob McDonnell. So, it looks like some strong conservatives were supporting the YES campaign, unless you’re going to attack our Governor now. Regardless, Scott Rigell, as an individual, did not donate to the YES campaign. Look it up. Scott’s business, which he did not own fully at the time, did. Big difference.
Turbo, Scott Rigell is not the rino you think he is. I strongly suggest that you start advocating the positives of your candidate rather than accusing Rigell of being a rino. It just makes people disregard your comments because they know it isn’t true.
The Scott Rigell I know, and could have supported, is a moderate business person who knows the importance of quality public services like education and transportation. Of course such a person would have supported the Yes Campaign as did Bob McDonnell. Fact is, if it had passed, we would not be stuck in traffic nor would we be facing $8 B in unfunded transportation needs. But to run and win the republican nomination today, you cannot be a rational busiess person; you must be a radical and ideologically pure anti tax zealot, even if it damages the nation.
This just goes to show once again that Scott Rigell is a genuinely principled leader. He’s going up to Washington not just to “go along to get along” but to bring the needed reforms to bring our country out of debt and return accountability to Congress. His pledge to abide by these principles, even if Congress refuses to enact them, shows that he truly understands what it means to represent his constituents.
I know Scott Rigell, and he is a man of his word. He will work to enact these reforms, and move our country away from the stark future our current administration has for us.
I agree he will work Jessica. So.. Lets see his debating skills. He might need them in congress.
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