California Speaks For Us All

Has California spoken for the Nation? A Blue state rejects tax increases - voters vote and say 'no more.' Is Washington watching and listening? Is this a precursor to the 2010 vote? What can Washington do that it is not considering at this moment? Following is my Top 10 suggestions for savings. Please send me your thoughts. Add to this list. The first item could be quite significant in many ways.

What Washington Can Eliminate or Consider - My Top 10

1. Reduce size of staff of Congressmen and Senators - at least half of current budgets for staff. Have them demonstrate to everyone they too understand the economic crisis and the squeeze on us all.
2. Eliminate naming opportunities for Congressmen, Senators and other Government members (except after death) on buildings, bridges, roadways, etc., unless contributions made are by the elected official themselves (out of their pockets and the goodness of their hearts). (Call it the Byrd Amendment)
3. Reduce franking privileges, the use of free postal services. Much can be saved here - use email.
4. Eliminate Subsidies, Farm Subsidies, Sugar subsidies, Energy Development subsidies, Any other subsidy.
5. Get the Federal Government out of the abortion business, the business of voter registration and other non-specific activities of Government – such as payments to Planned Parenthood, ACORN and the like. Let the support for these groups come from non-government sources – charities. (Get the Government out of the charity business)
6. Allow States, only, to tax oil, energy companies (alternative energy sources too), to the extent resources are recovered from that State, and to be paid for and to the benefit of the Residents.
7. All requests for payments by Government (like earmarks) shall be in separate legislation. Such requests must stand alone, not as a component of another piece of legislation, and be accompanied with the name of the author.
8. Better still - Eliminate non-essential Earmarks - the purpose clearly stated for any considered "essential.".
9. Reform campaign finance and simplify documentation for non-incumbents. (Washington needs to stop playing games to protect their turf, after all this is supposed to be Government for and by the people. Do you get the impression at times it is Government for and by the incumbents?)
10. Limit the time candidates can campaign for an elected office. Say 6 months max. It would clear the airways for other news – maybe worldwide news and not just political and entertainment news.

Much can be done by Washington to save Billions, make Government more efficient, more effective, and more reflective of the desires of the wonderful peoples of our great Nation.

I have more that can be listed, but I am sure you do too. One already noted to me was reducing the days for mail delivery.

Yes, thank you California voters for speaking for the majority. Now more of us need to speak up. Washington - you can do it - but only if you want to do it for the people.