Local Candidate for Congress Dr. Dan Eichenbaum

The North Carolina 11^th District Republican Primary is going to be an interesting affair. I plan to ask questions of the candidates and post their answers here. At this point in time, this blog is not endorsing any candidate. I'm looking them over carefully, as we should all do our representatives, no matter where we live.

My first question was to Dr. Dan Eichenbaum regarding his plan to eliminate Social Security. As a person nearing retirement this is a topic I will approach with all local candidates. After several days I received this email from Dr. Eichenbaum, posted in its entirety:

I am concerned that Social Security will be financially unable to meet its future obligations. Like you and I, millions of Americans worked for many years, paying into the Social Security system with the reasonable expectation of receiving the retirement benefits promised by the federal government. Instead of investing this money taken from hard-working Americans, career politicians spent our savings to create and fund entitlement programs whose primary purpose is to buy votes so they can remain in office.

Social Security is a ponzi scheme so massive that it makes Bernie Madoff look like a two-bit con artist. In fact, the Supreme Court ruling that "approved" Social Security is one of Professor Levy's "Dirty Dozen" – the twelve worst Supreme Court decisions in our nation's history. In a constitutional and moral sense, I do not believe money should be taken from one party for the "security" of others. Furthermore, the entire system is on the verge of going bankrupt and must be corrected. It is imperative that we use free market principles, without government intervention, to solve this critical issue.

In my opinion, out of fairness, current Social Security recipients should stay on the program until it sunsets. Workers who have met the 40-quarter work requirement would also remain fully vested. A gradual reduction in benefits would only affect those who were still working toward the 40-quarter goal. Future retirees would be allowed tax free retirement and health savings accounts to take care of their specific health and retirement needs. My best guess is that such a phase-out program would require about 20 years to accomplish, giving all concerned the opportunity to make the changes necessary to plan for retirement. Most importantly, in accordance with the free market principles that I believe in, the entire Social Security program must be administered privately and each account must be owned by the individual retiree.

Dr Dan

To check out the doctor's web site, go here.

Party Hardy at Copenhagen

At least that's what it sounds like our HUGE contingent of senators and their cohorts did. CBS reports:

CBS) Few would argue with the U.S. having a presence at the Copenhagen Climate Summit. But wait until you hear what we found about how many in Congress got all-expense paid trips to Denmark on your dime.

CBS investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports that cameras spotted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the summit. She called the shots on who got to go. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and embattled Chairman of the Tax Committee Charles Rangel were also there.

They were joined by 17 colleagues: Democrats: Waxman, Miller, Markey, Gordon, Levin, Blumenauer, DeGette, Inslee, Ryan, Butterfield, Cleaver, Giffords, and Republicans: Barton, Upton, Moore Capito, Sullivan, Blackburn and Sensenbrenner.

That's not the half of it. But finding out more was a bit like trying to get the keys to Ft. Knox. Many referred us to Speaker Pelosi who wouldn't agree to an interview. Her office said it "will comply with disclosure requirements" but wouldn't give us cost estimates or even tell us where they all stayed.

Senator Inhofe (R-OK) is one of the few who provided us any detail. He attended the summit on his own for just a few hours, to give an "opposing view."

"They're going because it's the biggest party of the year," Sen. Inhofe said. "The worst thing that happened there is they ran out of caviar."

Our investigation found that the congressional delegation was so large, it needed three military jets: two 737's and a Gulfstream Five -- up to 64 passengers -- traveling in luxurious comfort.

Add senators and staff, most of whom flew commercial, and we counted at least 101 Congress-related attendees. All for a summit that failed to deliver a global climate deal.

As a perk, some took spouses, since they could snag an open seat on a military jet or share a room at no extra cost to taxpayers. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was there with her husband. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) was also there with her husband. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) took his wife, as did Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Congressman Barton -- a climate change skeptic -- even brought along his daughter.

Until required filings are made in the coming weeks, we can only figure bits and pieces of the cost to you.

 Three military jets at $9,900 per hour - $168,000 just in flight time.

 Dozens flew commercial at up to $2,000 each.

 321 hotel nights booked - the bulk at Copenhagen's five-star Marriott.

 Meals add tens of thousands more.

Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, wasn't against a U.S. presence. But he said, "Every penny counts. Congress should be shaking the couch cushions looking for change, rather than spending cash for everybody to go to Copenhagen."

Nobody we asked would defend the super-sized Congressional presence on camera. One Democrat said it showed the world the U.S. is serious about climate change.

And all those attendees who went to the summit rather than hooking up by teleconference? They produced enough climate-stunting carbon dioxide to fill 10,000 Olympic swimming pools.

Which means even if Congress didn't get a global agreement - they left an indelible footprint all the same.

I'm still pondering on this. All these VIP's, along with the President . . . looks like an excuse to party at our expense to me. But then, that's not unusual, is it?

Congressional Reform Act of 2010

I didn't write this. I've learned there are copies flowing freely on the net and thought I'd add it here for my readers. You may have already seen it. If not, have a read. I like it!

My thanks to whoever did write it.

Congressional Reform Act of 2010

1. Term Limits: One Term Maximum.

One Six-year Senate term and One Four Year House term.
Congress should concentrate on acting for the good of the country, not upon getting re-elected. Worthwhile bills not acted upon during a current session will be carried forth and voted on by elected successors.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term, 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.

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

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security

All money in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security System immediately. Congress participates with the American people and can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans..

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

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.

Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

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

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

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

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

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

7. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void with the effective date of this reform act.

The American people did not make any contracts with congressmen; congressmen made all contracts with and for themselves.

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