U.S. Government Reform Amendment (USGRA)

There are many problems with the United States federal government, but here are the three primary problems: Money and non-voters influencing federal government officials (elected or appointed). Government officials can profit from their positions and make politics a career. Laws or de facto laws forced upon the entire country by very few people [e.g. legislative simple majority (half the country telling the other half what to do), executive order (one person), or Supreme Court ruling (nine people)].

Here is a list of the proposed sections of the amendment: No Money in Politics No Lobbying Term Limits Balance Sheets and Tax Returns No Perks No Financial Trades While in Office Cannot Be A Business Partner While in Office All Bills Must Pass by Two-Thirds Vote All Bills Must Be 10-Page, Single Issue Bills Mandatory Review of All Bills Not Passed by Two-Thirds Vote Congressional Procedural and Voting Rules Must Pass by Two-Thirds Vote Judges Shall Not Create Laws or De Facto Laws The President Shall Not Create Laws or De Facto Laws

Do I really mean no money in politics?  Ideally, yes.  Is that practical?  Maybe not.  But that is the end of the spectrum we need to be on.  It would be great if there were no political advertisements, no donations, no fundraising, and no paid staff in political campaigns.  Just you, your ideas, your accomplishments, and the assistance of those you have persuaded to volunteer for you.  No opportunity for money to sway your opinions.  No opportunity to be bribed.  No time wasted fundraising.  Just your resume, your voice, and a debate stage.  But if we can't eliminate all money, then at the very least there should be spending and donation limits in campaigns -- nominal amounts only. If donations are allowed, then only registered voters/constituents should be allowed to donate.  No outside donations or advertising allowed.  Californians don't want Texans influencing their elections and vice versa?  We don't allow foreign entities/individuals to spend money on our campaig

This section is an expansion of a portion of Section 1.  Organizations cannot vote, so they must not be allowed to lobby or communicate with government officials or have a voice in government decision-making.  Only voting constituents should be allowed to communicate with government officials and have a say in how our country is run.  Organizations have an out-sized share of voice due to their money and power, thus they can warp reality.  They've been able to contribute massive amounts of money to candidates and causes, which in essence is bribery.  This must stop.  The daily schedules of all government officials and their entire staff must be accurate, complete, timely, and publicly available always.  All communications to or from government officials and their staff must be recorded, no exceptions.  Some communications may be deemed confidential, but they must still be recorded and available as needed to uncover corruption, post facto.  The burden of proving that all communic

No government official can serve more than 12 total years at the federal level.  We need to limit the amount of time available for a person in power to influence us or ruin our lives. Maximum Terms: U.S. Senate - 4-year terms, 8 years total U.S. House - 2-year terms, 8 years total U.S. President - 4-year terms, 8 years total Federal Judges - 12 years total in federal courts Upon ratification of this amendment, all government officials who have already crossed the 12-year total will be replaced immediately.

All government officials are required to submit publicly available, accurate, complete, and up to date balance sheets and tax returns at regular intervals, before and during service, and for 20 years thereafter.

Government officials receive no extraordinary perks and can receive no gifts of any kind.  They receive no life-long salaries, retirement, or other benefits.  They receive no special legal protections.  They participate in the same taxpayer funded benefits as their constituents.  While serving, their salaries and benefits will be commensurate with the private sector.  Government officials must not determine, individually or collectively, their own salaries and benefits.  An independent body will fill that role.  The only perk you receive is a pin/medal/plaque for honorable service completed (not based on years of service).  We do not want to incentivize people to max out their years of service.  Government service should be an honor, but a sacrifice.

Government officials can hold their accounts while serving, but they cannot buy or sell.

Government officials cannot be a silent or active partner in a business while in office.

This is the minimum threshold reiterated throughout the constitution already, but congress has made their own rules and passed bad laws by a simple majority.  If you can't get two-thirds to vote in favor of your bill, then it must not be good or needed.   No more laws foisted upon half the country by the other half of the country.

All bills must be 10 pages or less and cover only a single issue.  Bills will not be named after government officials.

Any current laws passed without meeting the criteria set forth in Sections 8 and 9 will go under mandatory review and must meet those criteria if they are to become law again.

Currently, the party in power can change their chamber's procedural/voting rules to suit their needs.  This must stop.  Congress must start from scratch and adopt new rules that must be accepted by two-thirds of the new congress.

Judges' rulings will only impact the cases in question.  Only congress creates laws.  Congress must review all Supreme Court rulings to see if new laws need to be passed, thus clearly delineating that only congress creates laws.

The President only has power to enforce laws enacted by congress and cannot institute orders of any kind that in essence act as law.