Middle of the Freakin Road
I am an independent thinker who believes that it is okay to exercise moderation in thoughts, words and deeds. In fact, that’s how I was raised.
There is certainly no lack of opinions on the Internet so why read me? What I have found is that most blogs are either way to the right of me or way to the left of me. Far left people think I am conservative and far right people think I am liberal. They can’t both be right. I think I’m still somewhere in the middle.
So why is there not enough rational discourse out there for us, the majority of Americans? By our very nature we Independents do not need to be told what to think by the screamers of talk radio and cable TV. Our moderation does not demand that we shout our opinions from the rooftops to be heard. It’s time for that to change. As the original Thomas Paine said:
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
We who are reasonable and engage in facts need to be heard. I hope you think so too.
I totally agree with this comment.
The Founders of this country thought that serving in Congress would be a break in their usual occupation. They would return home and continue working. No one was expected to serve as long as our current congressmen and senators do. Only death seems to make they give up their seat. Some of the people in Congress serve while they are so ill, they cannot attend sessions. But as long as their constituents keep voting for them, they keep serving, especially when he or she brings back that pork. eg. Sen. R. Byrd.
Posted by Marian | February 12, 2010, 10:02 amI like what I see on this website. Seems to me elected congress-people are just concerned with their own re-election and also for their party. The nonsensical talk,talk,talk and blame game is a complete waste of time. Where is there a REAL statesman who will step up to doing the business of the country and get something wonderful accomplished?
Posted by Irene | February 17, 2010, 11:43 pmThank you for your input. I hope to hear from you again.
Posted by Thomas Paine | February 18, 2010, 12:17 amThanks for creating and sustaining this website, Mr. “Paine”! It’s nice to see some truly independent thinking amidst the thicket of talking heads and bloviators. Sometimes it seems like you have to be a lobbyist or talk radio host to be heard, but I think you’re onto something here. Most of us don’t want intrusive governments to control every aspect of our existence, but we do expect good public schools, well-maintained streets and highways, and safe neighborhoods.
The current gridlock between the two “permanent” parties isn’t going to be broken by the knuckle-draggers of the Tea Party movement or the social engineers of the think tanks. Thanks for pointing out that there are other paths, other alternatives, other perspectives that we should consider. Three cheers for common sense!
All the best,
Rod Willis (aka “The Progressive Pragmatist”)
Posted by Rod Willis | May 20, 2010, 11:07 amThanks for comment Rodney B.
Posted by Thomas Paine | May 20, 2010, 2:06 pmThis is a petition I am working on.
It is a work in progress right now and I would really appreciate suggestions and input to help move it forward.
Congressional Reform Act of 2011
1. Term Limits.
12 years only; possible options below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year
House terms
2. 10 years to Tenure W/accumulated Pension after retirement.
A) Congressman collects a salary, and benefits only while in office.
No lifetime benefits
Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
B) 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.
C) Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
3. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
4. No recently out of office, either by term limits or an unfavorable vote, elected official will be employed, reimbursed or compensated in any fashion by any group that lobbies the Federal government for a period of time to be equal to the amount of time they held their federally elected office.
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.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!
Posted by ochipwa | January 15, 2011, 12:05 pmI like it. I’ve always thought Congress should be limited to 12 years. It would help to publicize the outlandish perks and retirement benefits that accrue to members of Congress. Most people would be shocked if they knew how rich these career politicians are getting, on our dime.
Posted by Thomas | January 15, 2011, 2:48 pm