I found this list of questions that we should all be asking our reps and senators. If the questions themselves don't motivate them to act, I would love to see these ideas implemented. In fact they really need to be implemented. I found it here:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/03/02/late-edition-silvestre-reyes-says-the-house-is-about-ready-to-approve-fisa-bill-with-immunity/#comment-526180Rather than reacting to the news, perhaps the blogosphere could start making the Congress react. We can openly discuss some new oversight systems that the Congress would have no say; and we could discuss some timely methods that, in the future, would lawfully punish individual members of Congress for failing to enforce the Constitution.
Congress, when it does “respond” to phone calls on this issue, isn’t making a case for why the existing system of “oversight” should still be supported, or that it should not change. Rather than narrowly complaining about what Congress is illegally doing, perhaps we could ask the Staff their reaction to the following:
- Tricameral Legislature The Congress is not forever stuck with only two houses. A third house could be created that would complicate the Congress’ job, and make it more difficult for them to rubber stamp unconstitutional bills. What is their view on having an independent, third house of Congress that would ensure, before either house discussed a bill, that the bill was Constitutional? This bill is not Constitutional because it illegally asserts judicial power. Congress has no power to affect the outcome of pending litigation.
- Independent Oversight Board for US Government The Constitution only says the House “may” make rules; the power to self-regulate has not been exclusively delegated only to the House. Other entities can be created which “shall” have the power to regulate the Members of Congress. What is the view of the Congressional staff of changing the way the House is regulated, and stripping that power, and delegating it to outside entities, beyond the influence of Congress? At the local level, there are police oversight boards. What plan does Congress have to prevent the public from drafting rules which would lawfully install oversight boards that would regulate, monitor, and investigate claims against individual Members of Congress?
- Local Level Prosecution of US Government Officials Individual Members of Congress can be prosecuted. What is the Congressional staff’s view on direct prosecution, at the state and local level, of individual Members of Congress? Arrest warrants of the President have been discussed; does the staff have a comment on arrest warrants issued against them and Members of Congress?
- War Crimes Attached To Members of Congress Policy makers can be attached to war crimes, especially when they have a legal duty to investigate war crimes; or they have the option to deny funding for illegal violations of the laws of war. Ask the Staff about the option on the table to prosecute Members of Congress individually when they continue to rubber stamp funds for illegal warfare: What is their views on having automatic referrals to standing war crimes tribunals when Members of Congress support violations of the laws of war, illegal funding, or policies which support illegal war crimes, prisoner abuse, or Geneva violations?
- Timely Disbarment Investigations Congressional legal counsel can be disbarred if they are found to be complicit with, or have refused to remove themselves from this Congress’ rebellion against the Constitution. When Members of Congress, who are attorneys, attempt to refuse to enforce/defend the Constitution, what is the plan of the member of Congress to defend themselves before an attorney-disbarment hearing before the District of Columbia, or state attorney disciplinary board?
- Timely, Meaningful Consequences To Oath of Office Violations An oath that is not enforce is meaningless. Members of Congress, when they refuse to enforce or follow their oath is a problem. Failure to fully enforce the Constitution is evidence the Members of Congress have mental reservations. This violates 5 USC 3331. Ask the Members of Congress and the staff counsel their views on mandatory changes to the oath of office, including an acceptance by the Member of Congress that if they refuse to enforce the Constitution, they know their oath is enforceable through the death penalty, or a minimum prison sentence of 15 years; and the third time they are convicted of malfeasance, they are executed?
- The 10th Amendment reserves all non-delegated powers. The public can revoke powers, and ensure those abused/non-asserted powers are no longer delegated to Congress, the President, or Courts. Ask the Staff their comments on the proposals to strip Congress of powers they have abused, not asserted; and delegating those abused/non-asserted powers to new entities that face timely consequences for failing to fully enforce the Constitution?
- The public is not bound to Article V; only the government must follow the amendment process. the public can impose a new Constitution, and deny the Congress of any input to that new document. Ask the STaff counsel working for Congress their view on redrafting the Constitution, outside the Amendment process, and imposing this new Constitution on Congress and Members of Congress without any Congressional debate. What specific clause in the Constitution compels the public, outside Congress, to coordinate any changes with the Congress?
