CONGRESSIONAL REFORM!!!!!!

A good friend sent this along to me. And, I believe it is high time for MAJOR ACTION in this country:

"My friends and neighbors want to promote the "Congressional Reform Act of 2010." It would contain eight provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights so many years ago who are now "spinning" in their graves today!

I know many of you will say, "This is impossible." Let me remind you, Congress has the lowest approval of any entity in Government, now is the time when Americans "We the People" can join together to reform Congress - the entity that is supposed to "represent" us.

We need to find a brave Senator to introduce this bill in the U.S. Senate and a brave Representative to introduce a similar bill in the U.S. House. These two people will become American heroes.

Thanks,

A Fellow American

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The Congressional Reform Act of 2010

1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options are 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

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

2. No Tenure/No Pension: A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security: All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves over into the Social Security system immediately.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people they serve.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people they serve.


8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are NULL & VOID effective 1/1/2011. The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

If you agree with the above, pass it on to all in your address list. If not, just delete.

Harder to pass, but still a good idea is the 28th Amendment. It's a similar idea to rein in the Congress.

Amendment 28

Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives. And Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States. All bills presented before the Congress shall have a preface that will outline the constitutionality for such bill, and each spending bill will pertain to one issue and not have attachments or "ear-marks."

The term of all elected members of Congress is limited to a maximum of 12 years."

Politics

Philosophically, I consider myself more in line with Republican ideals. However, because too many Republicans have abused their power and merely given lip service to the concepts of less government, protecting the lives of unborn children, and being fiscally conservative, I no longer vote along party lines or even identify myself as a Republican or Democrat.

Because lying, corruption and hubris have overtaken the process and become the norm (for both main parties), there are VERY few in government who are not tainted. Of course, we are all human and therefore prone to human mistakes and error - no matter how brilliant or self-sacrificing we are. That said, there are far too many elected officials - judges, law enforcement, administrators and lawmakers - who represent only a very narrow group - sometimes only themselves! And the reason for the corruption comes right back down to you and me. Not enough voters take elections seriously and do their homework. It is a responsibility of every adult citizen of this country to participate in the process.

Since I wasn't raised in Illinois, I still don't understand all of the Illinois' government processes and positions. One of the most puzzling still remains the process of how judges are appointed and elected. In my blog over the next three weeks, I will be sharing what I have learned about the judicial election process.

The first thing that I know to share is that Tuesday, February 2 is the primary. This is the election where each party chooses the candidates who will run in the general election in November. In the primary, Democrats run against Democrats and Republicans against Republicans. Early voting begins next Monday. So, the time is now! No more delay. Homework time!

Love's Victory Forever

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And the government shall be upon his shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. And the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. Hallelujah, for the God omnipotent reigns - King of Kings and Lord of Lords - forever. And he shall reign forever. Worthy is the lamb that was slain. And has redeemed us to God by His blood to receive power, and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever. Amen."

Perfect love came down at Christmas and perfect love casts out all fear. The angels said it, "Fear not!" Jesus (love perfected and made manifest) said, "Do not be afraid! Be anxious for nothing." Forever. He paid the redemption cost. God With Us sacrificed himself in our place.

Sin is broken. Evil is defeated. That means they have no power, no authority, no standing. Nothing will ever separate us from the love of God because of Messiah.

Forever. For eternity. We never have to be afraid again - of anything - injustice, pain, sickness, poverty, lack, ridicule, failure, torture, humiliation, death. We have the victory in Jesus! Now and forever! And we reign with Him now and forever! Love conquers all! Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever.

Strawberry Point Christmas

This heart-warming story from the Chicago Tribune is about my home town and the nearby town of Oelwein. I know some of the people in the story personally. And, I am happy to say I grew up and was educated in this area and with these values.

Click here for the story.

Christmas Giving

This Christmas, as in many Christmases past, I have no money to spend on gifts. This was making me very sad this morning. So when the people at Tyndale sent me an email about this free download from Matthew West, I wasn't going to bother with it. But, they usually provide good links and I like what they have to say, so I followed up and went to Matthew West's web site. I was so moved by his song with Amy Grant, that I haven't gotten any further. I want to share the link here, because it ministered to me today. You can also hear Matthew reading the Christmas story from Luke at www.thechristofchristmas.com.

As I was growing up, my family did not emphasize spending lots of money and shopping for gifts, but we often made each other presents. What do you give when you have no money and few material resources? In my case, I can tell stories and sing and play music. I can pray for other people instead of focusing on my own problems. I can encourage and smile and say a good word to people who might ordinarily be ignored.

I can do this! So can you! Whether you are rich or poor, give away as much Christmas as you can. Let someone know how much you love them and that you care about them - especially someone who might not be able to return the favor - like your enemy, or that beggar outside Burger King, or the kids who always leave their litter on your front sidewalk, or people in prisons and jails. So, in this season of light, let your light shine!

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matt. 5:14-16

Editing

I have begun the challenging process of editing my NANOWRIMO novel. This is not nearly as exciting as the adrenaline-fueled process of writing. Now, I am actually reading to catch and correct the inconsistencies, repetitions and flaws. Despite this, it's kind of fun to read and edit. I have to say that, as of page 26, I like the story. Since, at this point, the words of the novel seem unfamiliar and foreign, I feel more objective - at least on the micro level. Structural changes may be more difficult. So stay posted. I may serialize the book here just as Charles Dickens did more than a century ago with "Little Dorrit."

Love

My husband and I know a man from India named "Prem" which means love. God loves Prem passionately - as he does all the people of India, which I like being reminded of periodically. In his usual friendly fashion, my husband befriended that man Prem. As a result, we were privileged to meet a wonderful group of people from India. This is just one aspect of my husband's personality that I appreciate. He tends to see something good in almost everyone he meets because he sees them as God's children - and they tend to love him back.

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday. And, although this has been a terrifically challenging year for us, I am actually grateful to people who have been directly responsible for some of those challenges placed before us. I am grateful because what is absolutely important to Dave and me has been clarified: loving each other, serving God and rejoicing in all the good He has done in our lives. And we have had incredible opportunities to minister love, compassion and hope to others who are experiencing difficulties as well.

God is the absolute essence and power of love. And we rejoice knowing that we will be privileged to spend eternity with Him. We know this with certainty! We know it deep inside! We are saved through grace by faith, and definitely not based on our own works. And, despite all our failings, nothing shall separate us from the love of God. I love the Apostle Paul's eloquent chapter in Romans:
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Just as it is written,
"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Because of this assurance, I can say that my husband will have the happiest birthday ever and we look forward with confidence to the future because God's plans for us are good. "The Lord delights in the prosperity of his servant."