Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:

[Lurks Often]

I got this as one of those chain e-mails and I thought I post it here to see DU's thoughts, on first glance, I'm inclined to agree with it:

Proposed 28th Amendment:

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 .










edited for grammar, I'm anal that way

[gateley]

1. Sounds fair to me. nt

[Statistical]

2. What law has Congress passed that doesn't apply to Congress?

What exactly would be the purpose of this amendment?

This is a feel good do nothing "proposed amendment" (anything not yet ratified including a Constitutional Amendment to bring back slavery meets that criteria).

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. EEO for one thing

[Statistical]

5. How so. In which way is Congress allowed to discriminate based on sex, race, religion, etc? n/t

[Jumping John]

14. Insider Trading Law n/t

[GeorgeGist]

15. Social security and medicare for starters.

[Statistical]

16. False. Any other false RW memes? n/t

[Demeter]

24. Most of them

Don't get me started...

[Sanity Claws]

3. I kind of agree too

It always pissed me off that 1964 Civil Rights Act did not apply to Congress. Congress was free to discriminate in employment with impunity.

[pinboy3niner]

6. The arguments for this are BS...

See the earlier thread with additional information:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x40295

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE SNOPES DEBUNKING LINKED IN COMMENT #6.

[napi21]

7. Sorry, but I dont know of any laws either proposed o passed

that so not apply t congress & the citizens of the US. As far as EEO, those law DO apply to congress, and if there is discrimination that is/has not been dealt with, it's because no one has persued complaints.

[krispos42]

9. Isn't the Americans With Disabilities Act not applicable to Congress?

Maybe because the building are so old and historic that they didn't or couldn't make the modifications to the structures?

[jmowreader]

17. Still doesn't count

Title III says you have to make facilities accessible if it's "readily achievable." Quick example: the ADA calls for passageways to be 32 inches wide. If your building has a 100-foot-long hallway 30 inches wide, and the walls are made out of rock three feet thick, there is no fucking way you are going to bring this hallway into compliance and therefore you don't have to worry about it.

[krispos42]

21. Okay, thanks n/t

[tkmorris]

8. This pisses me off. Ignorance is far too acceptable in this country

But rather than say what I'd like to I'll try to be civil. Let me ask again simply what has already been asked. What laws OP do you think apply to us but not to Congress, or vice-versa?

[Xicano]

11. Diplomatic immunity?

:shrug:

[connecticut yankee]

10. I think this is an Urban Legend

[Lisa0825]

12. Snopes.com

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/28thamendment.asp

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. So, you were inclined to agree with right-wing BS?

Every allegation in the right-wing chain e-mail it comes from is demonstrably false:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/28thamendment.asp

[Selatius]

18. A 28th Amendment that guaranteed that all federal elections were publicly funded would do more good.

As it stands, the richest can outspend any other group of people as far as bribing politicians go.

[fascisthunter]

22. now that I can go along with

[Lurks Often]

19. How about

The really nice retirement package and medical that Congress gets? I seem to recall that the retirement & medical benefits are for life and vest at the end of their first term, if not sooner.


As to the source, it is from a casual acquaintance, I have/had no clue what his politics are.

[treestar]

20. This is true already

No one is above the law.

[backscatter712]

23. Not bad. Let me propose Amendment 29:

Congress shall have the authority to regulate the spending of monies to fund election campaigns and political campaigns intended to influence the President, Executive Branch officials, Members of Congress and other members of government in their duties. Such regulation shall be written to prohibit all forms of bribery and extortion. Such regulation shall be written to ensure that all persons or groups shall be given equal protection under the law. No such regulations shall be construed to impede freedom of the press.