Here's an idea - let the people of the United States revoke the Congress' healthcare option

[Hawkeye-X]

and see how fast they can make single payer health care a reality.

Better yet, stick 'em with the medical bills since they aren't interested in the people of the United States. The Senate seem to forget that the people elected them to LOOK out for our needs, not to line their pockets with corporate bribes.

Hawkeye-X

Edit: fixed a grammatical mistake.

[polichick]

1. That would be great, but isn't it Congress who has the power to revoke Congress' healthcare?

[JDPriestly]

4. We could pass a constitutional amendment stating

that Congress can only have health insurance after every American has the same insurance.

[Uben]

5. Uh, who would be voting?

Congress! Surprise! Lawyers make the laws...even those that govern themselves.

[Oregone]

10. The People, after the people amend the constitution to allow them to directly vote on bills!

See, lookie here, great idea! Pat me on the back!

[Uben]

11. One problem.....

....only congress can amend the constitution, so you're screwed!

[Oregone]

14. Not if the people pass an admendment allowing them to make admendments

But to be counted, I guess they would first have to pass one allowing them to vote on bills. Maybe if they did both in a single bill!

[JDPriestly]

16. The Constitution can't be changed by popular vote, but it can be changed by the state legislatures.

The Constitution, then, spells out four paths for an amendment:

* Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state conventions (never used)
* Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state legislatures (never used)
* Proposal by Congress, ratification by state conventions (used once)
* Proposal by Congress, ratification by state legislatures (used all other times)

http://www.usconstitution.net/constam.html

Article V - Amendment Note1 - Note2 - Note3

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.


Amendment 27 - Limiting Congressional Pay Increases

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

27th Amendment
The 27th Amendment was originally proposed on September 25, 1789, as an article in the original Bill of Rights. It did not pass the required number of states with the articles we now know as the first ten amendments. It sat, unratified and with no expiration date, in constitutional limbo, for more than 80 years when Ohio ratified it to protest a congressional pay hike; no other states followed Ohio's lead, however. Again it languished, for more than 100 years.

In 1978, Wyoming ratified the amendment, but there was again, no follow-up by the remaining states. Then, in the early 1980's, Gregory Watson, an aide to a Texas legislator, took up the proposed amendment's cause. From 1983 to 1992, the requisite number of states ratified the amendment, and it was declared ratified on May 7, 1992 (74,003 days).

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am27.html

[HillbillyBob]

6. It seems so, but maybe Pres Obama can

sign an executive order?
I have been saying end their free(at cost to taxpayers)really great health care plan for years, then we would see single payer care.
What we need is a real health care system not the sick care system we have now.
I know what I speak of, I have tried to do my best to maintain my health.
I am a 26 year hiv survivor, yes I take the meds. I would not have gotten so sick that I became disabled if I had been able to access care before I got so sick.
I had to be homeless for 2 years and i was down to 14 T-Cells and a viral load of 500,000 before I could get any help.
I have had a mild heart attack, which would have been worse if I had not cleaned up my diet and exercise regime. Im too sick to workout or even work now.
I have had colon cancer 3x. It would have been much worse or even terminal if I had not advocated for myself and insist on tests even to cussing out drs, fire drs, changing drs.
I left Fla in 2002 after my partner was outsourced 2x (after numerous downsizing) I have been through 6 drs in 5 years trying to get good care. Not that all of the drs were bad drs, but some had um moral objections to treating me, some were inept or unexperienced with HIV.

[Bluebear]

2. Tell Baucus America isn't "ready" to fund his health care. nt

[LakeSamish706]

3. I vote we revoke Congress all together.... and then let some stay...

Those that have a brain, and they must undergo an MRI by the medical staff that we (the people) choose.

[OHdem10]

7. Great Idea.

I hope the Dems realize what they are doing to their credibility

[omega minimo]

8. Aye. Do a poll, eh?

[Mind_your_head]

9. Don't you mean......

"The Senate seem to forget that the people elected them to LOOK out for OUR needs, not to line their pockets with corporate bribes."

Yep, I think that the Senate should have the SAME EXACT HEALTHCARE AS THE REST OF US!!!!!

[Vinca]

12. I don't know how we'd do that, but you do bring a good idea to mind.

Let's send them our medical bills. A million medical bill protest.

[cali]

13. how? through what mechanism could the people of the U.S. revoke

the benefits that Congress bestows upon themselves? A Constitutional Amendment? That has to pass the Congress by a 2/3 vote. Supporting primary candidates who promise to revoke health care for themselves until single payer is legislated?

This is such a supremely silly fantasy proposal. Pointless grandstanding is just sooo effective.

[JHB]

15. My guess is that it'd quickly become one more avenue of bribery...

I'm sure the insurance companies would offer them (congressmen) a generous package, at reasonable (even generous) rates and without any "preexisting condition" denials, for the whole family.

How much would it cost? vs. how much they stand to gain? It's be a no-brainer for the companies.