Barracks for Congress

[Carol Lukemeyer]

I've had this idea for a long time. What if Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen were not allowed to own residences or take up residence in D.C.? Instead, when in session they would stay at a compound similar to an army fort. The quarters would be nice, like officers quarters. Lobbiests would not be allowed on the compound.

Here is my thinking. They would be less likely to become career politicians and would instead be more like servant leaders. They would spend more time at home with their constituencies so they would be less likely to get D.C. tunnel vision.

Oh, and one more thing. Since their room and board would be paid for, they would be paid the same as a private.

Thoughts?

[Mike Lombard]

Brilliant idea I wish the founding fathers thought of it...Unfortunately Congress would need to make the law or policy, and I can't see the likes of Fienstein, Dodd or Kerry supporting it.

[Adam Yale]

Great idea Carol. We need to add term limits to that too.

Mike, since the only Congress members you named are Democrats, are you implying that Democrats would not vote for this, but Republicans would? You're joking right?

[Mike Lombard]

Yes Adam, I was joking. I don't think Dick Lugar or John McCain would support Carol's proposal.

[Carol Lukemeyer]

Oh, I agree but I'm guessing that the reduced status and social perks would be make most of them shorten their stays!

[Duke Snyder]

Outstanding premise for discussion, Carol.
As with many strokes of brilliance it stands as an idea before it's time!
Simply for discussion purposes may I share a similar proposition. No need to detail this, suffice to say I was elected a state senator at age 28 in Nebraska; the lone 1-house Unicameral legislature in the U.S. Seeing the lobbyist activity, vote-trading and unions and companies literally "owning" a few senators on the state level has since caused anguish when considering the immensity of these same devilish issues and their forbodence within our Congress. Beyond our personal understanding really.
So...
A personal thought from yesteryear seeming more possible today with the insurgence of the internet:
1. Establish a "virtual" Congress standing alone.
2. Membership same ratio to voters as Congress but these members are selected as in a Civil Service "draft," indeed a "lottery draw." Political party affiliation, relgion, profession etc. would have absolutely no bearing on the selections.
3. Committee assingments, including chairmanships, also allotted strictly by random draw.
4. An "opensource" format allows all citizens to provide their grassroots Congresspeople to receive opinions and input from their constituency by email and forums.

A rough draft but you get the premise of my idea. Seems to me it may someday have a real place within our system and yes we would need, unfortunately, Coongressional approval to provide salary for all the time our new virtual representatives would employ. The real juice of this idea, to me, would give journalists and bloggers real input as to what the American public is REALLY thinking regarding current issues and directions they like or don't like from our Federal government.
"The salvation of the state lies within the watchfulness of the citizenry." My favorite inscription on the granite above the east entrance to the Nebraska state capitol building in Lincoln.
One more BIG IDEA from SMALLER INDIANA.

[Carol Lukemeyer]

I like the virtual idea alot -- especially if the citenzenry could "listen in" real time on Congress. Not sold on the lottery idea though because it takes away the citizens vote and the opportunity to "know" the candidate through the campaign process. Now, maybe if a selection of candidates were drafted and we could vote on the selection . . .

[Ron Brumbarger]

GREAT IDEA!