The problems facing our country are not too great to solve, but it will require courage and principle from our elected officials. Unfortunately, too many career politicians care more about their reelection campaigns than their oath to preserve, protect and defend the United States Constitution. I will actively promote term limits, pay decreases for Members of Congress, and pension reform to ensure that being a Member of Congress is public service.
Consider that a sitting Member of Congress has two pensions: a gold-plated “defined benefit” plan, which makes very generous annual payments on behalf of retired Congressmen, and a “defined contribution,” which looks more like a 401(k) plan that most American workers have, albeit with a more generous match. And if you’ve been a career politician in the PA state legislature, as Mr. Murphy has been, you’re already collecting a third pension from the state of Pennsylvania.
As a Member of Congress, I would forego the defined benefit plan so as to have more parity with the average American worker. And I would fight to end Members of Congress’ lavish defined benefit plan for good.
I also promise not to serve longer than my opponent has served: no more than 5 terms!
I would seek to return our federal government to a group of citizen legislators rather than politicians who view their legislative decisions through a purely political lens, simply to keep their job.
