A way to bring our politicians back in touch with the people
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31633)
United States
February 5, 2009 7:43am CST
What if we demanded that any public official who has a hand in deciding policy do at least 16 hours of work in the private sector at least every 6 months? Work in the service industry would be best. Have Nancy Pelosi bagging groceries for two shifts on a weekend, or John McCain at the unemployment counter, Barney Frank doing a couple days at the welfare office or John Kyl working the register at a convenience store in a poor neighborhood? Make it mandatory, it can't be a desk job, they have to be out among the people and see their debit cards rejected, see them pull out the food stamps and pull a carry basket home because they can't afford a car or bus.
Do you think this would work? Would they then realize that normal people are suffering and change their view of America? They are isolated, mostly wealthy, and think sacrifice means you don't take a vacation to France. It would certainly and finally let them see what poverty really is, make them hear the children crying whose moms can't leave them at home while they shop because they can't afford a sitter.
What do you think of this idea? And do you think we could demand it and get it passed? I know nobody would help get it passed, we'd have to have marches and demonstrations, but do you like the idea as much as I do?
2 people like this
6 responses
@ryzach (1544)
• United States
5 Feb 09
I think this would heighten their awareness. It would be nice if they could just understand, I mean really understand by living it. It would just be temporary for them. It is so scary right now with so many people out of a job(we are one of those families) and the economy in such a mess. We need jobs, the more people are back to work they will spend money, the more they spend money the more our economy gets better. We are not spending right now so that impacts restaurants, grocery stores, movies, clothes shopping, etc. Even if these officials spent just a few days of even hours with us, to see how life is maybe there would be a better understanding.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
5 Feb 09
I'm so sorry about your job! I guess you're trying like mad to earn online, have you tried the paid surveys? I do a lot of those and I found some that really do pay. I also write articles. If you're interested, make a friend request. I wish you the best and hope your family finds jobs soon! I get so made as our politicians in their ivory towers, isolated from our misery and hopelessness! 
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Feb 09
That, or just pass term limits so they can't make a life out of being in Washington.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
5 Feb 09
When the government first began, one term was all a person was allowed. It was to serve the public then go home. Now, people argue that it takes one term just to learn the job. I say limit it to one--it's hard to get corrupted in just one term. You may get corrupted a bit but you won't have the influence to trade on it unless you get one or more extra terms. Why can't we get this passed? They work for US, we are the BOSS, why can't we get term limits passed?!
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Feb 09
Exactly! Also we'd get more days of work from our Representatives since they won't have to spend a year of their 2 year term running for re-election.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
5 Feb 09
Sounds great but would never happen. How about Congress gets paid for the work they do. When they don't show up, they get docked, when they don't vote, they get docked. Or how about people have to show that they have some sort of understanding of what is going on before they can vote in elections!
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
5 Feb 09
Those are both good ideas, especially the one about informed voters! Many people will vote for the candidate who looks better, or who agrees with a pet issue of theirs and no matter what else they stand for, those people will vote for them. I have a relative that will vote for any candidate who believes in abortion. Doesn't matter what else the candidate believes, if he or she will vote for more abortion rights, my cousin will vote for them. That's just insane!
I also think our public servants should get merit raises, not automatic ones. Have a review board made up of their constituents--but nobody who hold public office or who owns a business, that will prevent some corruption of the process--to decide if they should get a raise or not!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
6 Feb 09
Maybe not, but they'd know what it is to stand for 8 hours doing menial labor for less than they spend to tip a waiter.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
5 Feb 09
That's a great idea and you can count me in for whatever we need to do to get it passed! I think it was former Senator Graham of Florida who did something sort of similar some years back by working at various jobs in the private sector. I forget the details at this time so I'll have to look it up but I remember seeing about it on one of the news magazine shows such as Dateline or 60 Minutes. You're so right, most of those in Congress, even the ones that sincerely ARE for the working people really have no clue what it's like to BE one and I think there's nothing like walking in someone else's shoes for a few days to make one know they don't want those kinds of blisters for very long!
Annie
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
5 Feb 09
That senator should be given a medal for being a good example! Thank you for your support, it really gives me a boost. I'm going to send the idea to a national talk show host and maybe it will pick up some steam!
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
6 Feb 09
I love the idea, but I honestly don't think it would change the policy making decisions of many politicians. Unfortunately, I fear that many policy decisions are made in order to benefit huge corporations rather than for the benefit of the ordinary person. Lobby groups employed by corporations are astonishingly powerful, and I believe that the majority of politicians would be swayed more by the personal rewards or implied 'punishments' inherent in making the 'right' or 'wrong' decision than they would be by time spent face to face with the results of their decisions. After all, at the end of their shift they can go home.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
6 Feb 09
You are right, politicians aren't in it to serve the public. I think they should all be hung. I hate politicians, they are greedy parasites.
1 person likes this
