Congressional Life Swap

That’s It Congress! I’ve had it with your refusal to do your jobs and your ability to reduce everything you do to a pissing match or a huge game of Chicken. I was at lost for a solution but I think I’ve come up with plan.

Wife Swap. You know that really obnoxious reality show where they switch the Mom’s of two very different families for a while. I’m not suggestion that the wives of Congress be switched but something more like a cross between Wife Swap, A Simple Life and the Witness Protection Program.

Here’s my idea: all members of Congress and their families become lower middle class families. They’re scattered across the country but not anywhere near their actual homes. They have to live within the income they earn through their jobs. They can’t use their own personal wealth or any credit cards or call upon their own friends and family for help. No money for gas? They’ll have to walk. They’ll learn the uses of Raman noodles and how to clip coupons. They’ll learn you can’t run to the doctor every time the kids have colds because you don’t have health insurance or because of a high deductible if you have insurance. Congress needs to learn the joys of thrift stop shopping for clothes. If they lose their job, they have to live on unemployment until they can find a new one. Let Congress learn that the 2% social security cut can make life easier and how too many Americans still need unemployment insurance. They’re not bargaining chips to get more toys for their rich friends.

I would suggest an initial term of at least 3 months with additional time for not playing by the rules. If the Congressman or women cheats too often, the swap could become permanent. As for their Congressional jobs, how much do they really do? I’ve not seen any evidence of actual work for a while. They all have staffs that do most of the work and their votes seem to be decided by their party leaders or lobbyists. A web site could be set up where they check in and vote when something actually gets that far. Who knows, more might get done this way.

Congress needs to wake up and realize who is paying their salary. Yeah, they’re getting lobbyist and other special interest money but they wouldn’t be getting that money if they weren’t in Congress. As a member of Congress they are suppose to be representing us. Not just the 1% with lots of money to share. I understand each member has a different idea what will help but that has always been the case. Why has Congress lately become less interested in making things better for the country than funding their retirements and playing chicken with people lives. I think they all need a good dose of reality. Let them spend their Christmas riding a trash truck and not skiing in Vail.

The only problem I see is finding a place for all of them. I can see a backlash as hard working people say “not in my neighborhood.” After all, only a few voters approve of Congress at all.

McIntire Tax Center - on Facebook - on Google+ - or Twitter @ mactax.

Comments

[Cindy Galford]

Excellent! But can't afford to have one in my neighborhood...property values have dropped enough. Seriously, I like what you are saying Trish.

[test taking incentives]

Great suggestions, I like it. Thanks for sharing.

[Randy Eickhoff, CPA]

I think removing their salaries (they don't need it anyway), requiring that any money or other benefits received from lobbyists be contributed to the general fund and a mandatory annual internal audit (or proper internal controls implemented) be conducted would be a good place to start. While we are at it, perhaps any Congressman/woman that owes taxes or has tax liens, be suspended from voting on any bill until they have been paid should be implemented.

Since they are the only ones that can write a bill to be voted on, I won't hold my breath for any of the above reforms.

[Teresa]

This is a great article, and a great topic to explore. Thanks for sharing.