I love to see all the great ideas on blogs in an attempt to control Congress and/or the government, yet most depend on Congress or the government to do the right thing -- which they will never do. The only way CHANGE will ever take place will be when millions raise their voices and DEMAND that Congress invoke Article V of the US Constitution and call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. Even then that's only part of the battle because each "proposed" amendment must be reviewed by a requisite number of states for ratification before it becomes LAW. Congress is in violation of their oath of office at this very moment because more than 600 requests have been made by the states for them to call the convention, yet they refuse to call a convention. For more information see www.article-v-convention.com/.

As far as I see it, more sunlight is the only thing that is going to counter act the epidemic of self interest in today's politics.

Here are my suggestions for change, by no means exhaustive. If we are to salvage this country we have to get serious. Fiddling with the political system as it is won't get us anywhere - we have to change the Constitution in significant ways and only the people can do it (no way can we depend on our cowardly congress). I believe that the most important two recommendations that I've listed are Term Limits for Congress and a fair, no exemption military draft. Please consider discussing all of them with friends and promoting those that appeal to you. Most of them would require a change to the doddering, old and justly venerated Constitution:

1. Transparency in government to include (a) declassification of ALL official government records five years after the date of their origin (exact, uncensored and unaltered duplicates might be filed, at the time of their origin, with a special archivist and made readily available to the public after the five year period has expired) and (b) immediate and unrestricted access to all files, records and offices of any federal department (when expressly authorized by the full House) by a standing committee of five House members composed of three from the majority party, two from the minority, all of whom have been sworn not to divulge sensitive information.

2. Elimination of the electoral college allowing presidential elections to be decided directly by a majority of the popular vote.

3. Restriction on the number of times that a person may hold federal elective office. I'd hold it to two terms, period, with one exception permitted - a person who has held federal elective office for two terms could subsequently occupy the office of president for two terms. (I'd prefer, though a single six year term for president, no re-election).

4. Revision of the system for electing Senators so that, in so far as possible or practical, Senators would represent all the people, fairly and equally (each Senator would ideally represent the same number of people), through election by national or regional, rather than state, constituencies. This might prove the most difficult change to bring about, but perhaps the most important. Alternatively, each state might retain its two senators as prescribed by Article V, but Senators would have weighted votes based on their state's population. If all else fails, the Senate could be relieved of all real power.

5. Elimination of the unconscionable (and growing) disparity in the distribution of wealth. This would require an aggressive, vigorous policy of progressive taxation and absolute limitations on inheritance.

6. Elimination of primary elections for national office with candidates to be nominated by their political parties.

7. Supreme Court nominees (maybe candidates for all Federal judgeships) to be proposed by the House, vetted by the President and approved by the Senate. For example, the House might be allowed to propose five candidates, the President to select two of the five, and the Senate to approve one of the two (or to reject both in which case the process would begin again). Both the President and the Senate might be required to act within a certain time frame.

8. Equal television time for all major party candidates for Federal elective office.

9. Elimination of special privileges (perks) and "gifts" for all members of Congress. For example, members would be required to get their health care just as any member of the public or the most humble government employee gets theirs. Also, no special clubs or spas for members, no cut-rate dining rooms, etc.

10. Federal regulation of funding for public education that would insure equitable distribution of funds nationwide based solely on student enrollment.

11. A loop-hole free, hard-nosed and effective campaign finance law. This might require that the Supreme Court overturn its previous free speech ruling ("the Supreme Court's constitutional equation of money with "speech" - the logic that's warped our campaign finance rules since the famous 1976 case of Buckley vs.. Valeo": Mathew Miller), or that congress enact an imaginative law to circumvent its noxious effects.

12. Opportunity for the public to decide directly, perhaps every seven or twelve years, whether or not they would like to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of revising or amending the constitution. The question might be placed simultaneously on the ballots of each of the states and might require approval by two thirds majority of the national electorate (not the states) to carry.

13. An exemption-free draft for all able-bodied citizens. No exemption for members of congress or White House staff. No exemption for college students (grossly unfair and discriminatory). No exemption, period, except for health or disability.

14. Legalization and strict governmental control of the sale and consumption of drugs.

Sanford Russell

Well it can't hurt to have another powerhouse like Lessig involved in the reform of government. No offense to Sunlight and the groups that have been working on this for a few years now, but where's the beef? If so much work is being done on this, why is the system not changing? We've had more $ in "pork" and earmarks last year and still bridges collapse, public education is toast and hospitals remain underfunded.

Change Congress also takes into account a grassroots effort. Its not about a small group of people changing the way things work in Washington as much as its about each person taking responsibility for their own member of Congress -- so, a larger group of citizens adopting reform efforts on a national effort

Regardless, the more the merrier I say. Kudos to Lessig for taking on corruption in government along with a host of other dedicated groups!

Mother Jones - Comments for "Every Good Government Proposal on One Bill"