New Ammendment?

[stebo0728]

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution

"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ."

Ok so this is one of those silly emails floating around, but I thought it was an interesting topic for discussion. Any thoughts? Ignore it if you like it wont hurt my feelings

[Cold_Zero]

I would be up for a new amendment that requires a referendum to approve changes to the Congress's pay and compensation.

[stebo0728]

Well while were at it, let see what other amendment ideas are floating around out there. I'll be thinking of some.

For now though I could easily do with repealing the 16th and 17th amendment.

[IBCoupe]

Okay, so it's an email, but I presume you want us to consider it anyways, right? If not, disregard what follows:

The most obvious problem with the first clause would be that it's already the case. I can't think of a single law that does not apply to Senators and Congressmen. If you have an example, I'd contact a lawyer and see about raising a suit on equal protection (14th Amendment) grounds, because that should already ensure that they are. Some will inevitably point to the recent healthcare legislation, but, whatever you might think of the law, it still applies to our Representatives in Washington. The thing is: they're not affected by it because, as federal employees, they already have health insurance, and the law doesn't do anything about your existing plan. Were they to suddenly be without health insurance, the law would apply.

The most obvious flaw with the second clause is that Congress has to sign any law that gives themselves a pay raise. So maybe you've got issues with that, but are we all to get pay raises whenever they do? Can you hear the cries of "socialism" yet?