Top-Down Congressional Change Bill of 2011 (or)All-in-the-Same-Boat Congressional Change Bill of 2011Civility and Reform: Christina Taylor Green was 9 years old when she was killed. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords is working to recover from the wounds she received during the incident in Tucson, AZ. This year's heroes/mentors for many people include both Christina Taylor Green and Gabby Giffords. Because of their sacrifice and efforts, let's choose to join with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who seek bi-partisan solutions for the challenges we currently face. Our efforts for the United States of America is to be worthy of the hopes and aspirations of Christina and all of our children. We applaud the Senators and Congressional Representatives who choose/chose to sit next to each other as a symbolic gesture of change during the State of the Union address. This bill, however, which is can only be passed when we, the people demand it. Congress is Not in the Same Boat as their ConstituentsThe American people can demand a very substantial change in the way that Washington runs its business. When the call for change isloud enough, our Representatives will hear and will act. We need a Boston Tea Party call for these changes. This proposal is supported by Republicans, Democrats, and Independent political parties. Nearly everyone agrees the government needs to reform its priorities. This is one area of agreement. The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because ofpublic pressure. Change happens when the people demand it. The 26th amendment was passed in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones. This is 2011. Revolutions are happening around the world because people can communicate more efficiently. If we demand this change, it will happen. This bill addresses the core of many problems, including corporate owned politicians. Let's propose this bill to open the discussion with respect for each other as Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was doing when she was shot. Let's open this discussion with the positive outlook of 9 year old Christina Taylor Green, in her honor. Top Down Change Bill of 2011 Congressional Reform Act of 2011WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT - Congressional Reform Act of 20111. Term Limits. 12 years only, public servants can choose one of three possible optionsA. Two Six-year Senate terms orB. Six Two-year House terms orC. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms2. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressperson collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when out of office. (We're all in the same boat) Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so if we follow the intent of theConstitution, our legislators need to serve their term(s), then go home and back to work. (Many Americans have needed to shift work/career goals because of bills passed by Congress. It's time for those making such decisions to be required to jump into the same boat.) 3. Congress (past, present & future) will participate in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund will move to the SocialSecurity system immediately. All future funds will flow into the Social Security system and Congress will participate with the American people. 4. Congressional representatives may purchase their own retirement plan (401K's etc) just like the majority of American workers. (We're all in the same boat)5. Congress will no longer be allowed to 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. When we're all in the same boat (as the Founding Fathers intended), quality and cost-effective solutions will be found. 7. All contracts with past and present Congressional Representatives are void, effective immediately, with the passing of this bill. The American people did not make the current contract with members of Congress. Congressional Representatives made contracts for themselves. (This provides a clear, rationale for voiding the old contracts.) Call to action: if each person contacts a minimum of twenty people, it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) toreceive this message. Please consider this the Boston Tea Party call to action. Someone on an e-mail list will know exactly who and how to get this bill written and brought to congress.