As you know, originally, after we declared independence our federal government operated under the Articles of Confederation. When we proposed the constitution, there was a great debate about whether or not we could make it as a republic.
One of the main sticking points by Montesquieu and others was that the elected officials would take advantage of the system. The Federalist Papers, several times, emphatically stated that was not possible since Congress would be subject to the same laws they passed. Well, they are not. They have exempted themselves from the very laws they passed.
Just a couple of examples: Obamacare and retirement plans. If these bills are so important and pertinent to the American people, why doesn’t the body that passes the bills need to be subject to them?
IMHO the only exceptions should be not arresting members which prevents them from attending sessions and for any restrictions on speech for debate in session.
I agree, but I think this may require a constitutional amendment as congress tends not to limit itself. Hence, my proposed constitutional amendment posted in November as a solution. My amendment even repeals any existing exemption laws.
There are 5 other posts/discussions with the same idea. I would like this forum to be a little more organized so when someone proposes an idea it consolidates them under one topic. It already show the related topics at the bottom of each one, why not go one step further and have sub-discussions under one topic.
The operators of this site have created a specific forum where users can request that individual proposals be merged. It may not be the most efficient way of doing it, but it is the way they want to do it: