Wiston Papers

Fixing Congress

        Congress is not working.  Most Americans agree.  Polls show that nearly  80 percent of those questioned in recent surveys say they are dissatisfied with the performance of Capitol Hill.

What’s wrong?  And how do we fix it?  The answer to the first question is simple.  Our representatives are no longer that--representative.  They are out of touch.  Instead of looking out for the interests of  voters--we who elected them--our delegates to Congress are more concerned with self-aggrandizement, power and the spoils that come with membership in high society.

    As I’ve written here before, our Iowa delegation in both chambers is too old, bankrupt of ideas, too removed from the reality of Iowans, and too entrenched with the Washington elite.

    The answer to my second question--how do we fix Congres--is a little more complicated.

    First, we need terms limits.  No member of Congress should serve more than six years.  That’s a single term for  Senators; and Representatives should be limited to four years--just two terms in office..

    Our Founding Fathers wanted citizen legislators--men who would go to the Congress for a few years, do their jobs, then come home.  Unfortunately, too many men and women on Capitol Hill today believe they are entitled to what in most cases for incumbents resembles a life-time appointment.  They’re wrong.  Six years is long enough.

    Second, There are 535 members of Congress--each with a separate office, staff and budget. That’s unnecessary duplication and a waste of money.  Reduce the size of each member’s Washington office budget and staff by outsourcing most work back home so they are in closer contact with us and spend staff salaries and other budget monies in congressional home districts.

     All other Congressional  administrative tasks can be done from a centralized office in Washington that pools resources for all members. 

    Third, no Representative or Senator should receive a pension for congressional service.  Congressional service was never intended to be a permanent, lifetime job.  Our delegations should invest a portion of their salary for retirement like every other citizen--either through Social Security contributions, an individual IRA, or in investments recommended by a private-sector financial adviser. Just like the rest of us. Nothing more.

    Four, end the generous health care plans that are far superior to what many American receive.  President Obama campaigned on a promise to pass health care reform that would give every American the equivalent coverage and care now enjoyed by Congress.  That didn’t happen and it’s wrong.

    Our Senators and Representatives should never approve any legislation to which they are exempt.  Congress and we should share the same benefits and sacrifice equally.

    Five, travel between home and Washington should be at the lowest possible fares available whether by plane, train or any other method.   First class would be prohibited.

    Six, Congress should have no franking privileges.  Members should pay the same postage and shipping rates as other Americans.  

    Seven, our Senators and Representatives should spend more time at home and less in Washington.  In this era of all forms of digital communication ranging from teleconferencing and  videoconferencing to texting and electronic faxing, there is less need to be enclosed within the Beltway (the interstate that encircles Washington) except for critical votes.  And they could be scheduled for just a few days each month.  All committee work can be done by telecommunicating.

    If our Senators and Representatives spent more time in their home districts, they would be closer to their voters, more subject to local influence, and less likely to be seduced by  heavily-funded, professional lobbyists prowling the halls of Congress.

    Finally, we should start afresh.  In November let's vote against every incumbent.  Whatever the result, the new Congress can’t be any worse than what we have today.

Steve Coon

May 07, 2012