Silliopolous
28-04-2006, 04:18
Everyone remember that bit of political salesmanship when the Republicans wrested control of Congress with a promise to change the way the nation's business was managed?
Here's a refresher on how it was put to the people (http://www.house.gov/house/Contract/CONTRACT.html)
As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.
That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.
This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.
...
Well, it would be too damn easy to point and laugh about their notion about how they were going to end a government that was "intrusive" and "too easy with the public's money".
No, instead I suggest that you keep reading down to the 10 bills they pledged to pass to ensure a more responsible government. And then, specifically, to bill #10 - THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE ACT: A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators.
Specifically, it was to limit the tenure of Congressmen to three terms in office to ensure that there was turnover to avoid complacent, bought, deadwood peckerheads getting continual free passes to the pork trough via the advantage of simple incumbency.
Now, they never quite managed to pass that bill, but still - Republican members elected to congress in '94 did so touting this contract to their voters, stating it was their ideal, and pledging to live up to it.
So perhaps you might ask the following Congressmen why the hell they are running for re-election this year.
After all, 12 years ago they promised NOT to, and an election promise is something to be held to. Or at least called on. So if you are a registered voter in this region - please ask your Republican candidate when they officially withdrew themselves from their Contract with the voters.
Charles Bass, NH-02
Steve Chabot, OH-01
Tom Davis, VA-11
Mark Foley, FL-16
Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ-11
Gil Gutknecht, MN-01
Doc Hastings, WA-04
J.D. Hayworth, AZ-08
John Hostettler, IN-09
Walter Jones, NC-03
Sue Kelly, NY-19
Ray LaHood, IL-18
Tom Latham, IA-04
Steven LaTourette, OH-14
Sue Myrick, NC-09
Robert Ney, OH-18
Charlie Norwood, GA-09
George Radanovich, CA-19
John Shadegg, AZ-03
Mac Thornberry, TX-13
Todd Tiahrt, KS-04
Dave Weldon, FL-15
Jerry Weller, IL-11
Ed Whitfield, KY-01
Roger Wicker, MS-01
You guys promised not to run this year. You told us that 12 years were all that a Congressman should serve.
Obviously you cannot be trusted to live up to your ideals, and I think that the voters should hold you to your signed pledge.
Here's a refresher on how it was put to the people (http://www.house.gov/house/Contract/CONTRACT.html)
As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.
That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.
This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.
...
Well, it would be too damn easy to point and laugh about their notion about how they were going to end a government that was "intrusive" and "too easy with the public's money".
No, instead I suggest that you keep reading down to the 10 bills they pledged to pass to ensure a more responsible government. And then, specifically, to bill #10 - THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE ACT: A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators.
Specifically, it was to limit the tenure of Congressmen to three terms in office to ensure that there was turnover to avoid complacent, bought, deadwood peckerheads getting continual free passes to the pork trough via the advantage of simple incumbency.
Now, they never quite managed to pass that bill, but still - Republican members elected to congress in '94 did so touting this contract to their voters, stating it was their ideal, and pledging to live up to it.
So perhaps you might ask the following Congressmen why the hell they are running for re-election this year.
After all, 12 years ago they promised NOT to, and an election promise is something to be held to. Or at least called on. So if you are a registered voter in this region - please ask your Republican candidate when they officially withdrew themselves from their Contract with the voters.
Charles Bass, NH-02
Steve Chabot, OH-01
Tom Davis, VA-11
Mark Foley, FL-16
Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ-11
Gil Gutknecht, MN-01
Doc Hastings, WA-04
J.D. Hayworth, AZ-08
John Hostettler, IN-09
Walter Jones, NC-03
Sue Kelly, NY-19
Ray LaHood, IL-18
Tom Latham, IA-04
Steven LaTourette, OH-14
Sue Myrick, NC-09
Robert Ney, OH-18
Charlie Norwood, GA-09
George Radanovich, CA-19
John Shadegg, AZ-03
Mac Thornberry, TX-13
Todd Tiahrt, KS-04
Dave Weldon, FL-15
Jerry Weller, IL-11
Ed Whitfield, KY-01
Roger Wicker, MS-01
You guys promised not to run this year. You told us that 12 years were all that a Congressman should serve.
Obviously you cannot be trusted to live up to your ideals, and I think that the voters should hold you to your signed pledge.