Proposed 28th Amendment

[maxx]

Someone is circulating this as a result of Congress's "immunizing" themselves from the new health care law. Any lawyers in the house?

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution



"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 ."

[gazhekwe]

Since when are our elected representatives NOT citizens of the United States?

[Retroit]

^Like as if you are not aware that Congressmembers have given themselves special privileges.

I like it. And here's another one: "Congress shall make no law that applies to an American business that does not apply to foreign businesses that sell products within the United States."

[firstandten]

In this hyper-politicized environment I don't think you could pass any kind of amendment to the US Constitution, health care or otherwise.

[Diehard]

I have yet to see where or how Congress has "exempted themselves" from the health care bill. I suspect it's nothing more than a bullshit Glenn Beck talking point.
From day one, Obama has been saying "if you like the coverage you have, you can keep it." Congress has what would be considered employer-provided coverage [[the government is their employer) and they probably all want to keep the coverage they have.
At this point, there is no public option, and even if there eventually is one, it's always been regarded as an "option," not mandatory. There has never been an attempt to force anyone off their current coverage. So WTF is this about them "exempting" themselves? Does anyone have a reliable link?

[Meddle]

State and Federal legislators have given themselves immunity from a number of laws. I would support any move to ban such exemptions and uphold accountability of elected officials.

[Retroit]

Diehard, I think what maxx and whatever source he/she is referring to is trying to point out is the fact that instead of this bill providing "equal" access to health care, this bill has ensured that Congress will still be able to receive their Rolls Royce plan.

[rb336]

Diehard, I think what maxx and whatever source he/she is referring to is trying to point out is the fact that instead of this bill providing "equal" access to health care, this bill has ensured that Congress will still be able to receive their Rolls Royce plan.

where exactly does it do that? in the same instance where it says no one who is happy with their health care has to change it? tell me what page, what section, etc. I have the actual bill sitting here on my computer, as should anyone who wants to know for themselves.

[Diehard]

Diehard, I think what maxx and whatever source he/she is referring to is trying to point out is the fact that instead of this bill providing "equal" access to health care, this bill has ensured that Congress will still be able to receive their Rolls Royce plan.

As will anyone in the private sector who already has a Rolls Royce plan, provided their employer continues to offer it. This bill does nothing to change that. It doesn't provide "equal" plans for everyone, but it does give everyone some sort of access.

Here's what I found, reportedly on page 158 of the bill:

D) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THE EXCHANGE-
[[i) REQUIREMENT- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the effective date of this subtitle, the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are–
[[I) created under this Act [[or an amendment made by this Act); or
[[II) offered through an Exchange established under this Act [[or an amendment made by this Act).

I'm no lawyer, but that reads to me like they're intentionally including Congress, not exempting.

[oldredfordette]

It took three seconds.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medic...hamendment.asp

People, if it comes in an email that's been forwarded a million times, it's probably bullshit.

[Diehard]

snopes.com = my hero

Thanks.

[maxx]

I found that "amendment " on another forum, not in an email. And I think there is a lot of discontent with the idea that members of Congress are getting better healthcare at taxpayers' expense.

[gazhekwe]

there is a lot of discontent with the idea that members of Congress are getting better healthcare at taxpayers' expense. -- Maxx

It is an idea born of data-free analysis.

[Detroitej72]

People, if it comes in an email that's been forwarded a million times, it's probably bullshit.

But, isn't that where many cons get their information from, if not AM radio or Fox News?

[rb336]

I found that "amendment " on another forum, not in an email. And I think there is a lot of discontent with the idea that members of Congress are getting better healthcare at taxpayers' expense.

another forum - not much better! the person there probably is on the Con-job mailing list.

I think there is a lot of discontent that a lot of people are not getting the same kind of health care as congress

[Papasito]

State and Federal legislators have given themselves immunity from a number of laws. I would support any move to ban such exemptions and uphold accountability of elected officials.

bingo.
the entire concept of a citizen government is dead

[Danny]

I'm against it because this law will not have a strong balance of power between the People of the United States and its government. Keep the proposed amendment out. It's like creating a strong central government that rules more than the citizens. Our forefathers don't like it and neither should you all.

[rb336]

Our forefathers don't like it and neither should you all.

did they tell you this in a seance?

[The Dude]

I have yet to see where or how Congress has "exempted themselves" from the health care bill. I suspect it's nothing more than a bullshit Glenn Beck talking point.
From day one, Obama has been saying "if you like the coverage you have, you can keep it." Congress has what would be considered employer-provided coverage [[the government is their employer) and they probably all want to keep the coverage they have.
At this point, there is no public option, and even if there eventually is one, it's always been regarded as an "option," not mandatory. There has never been an attempt to force anyone off their current coverage. So WTF is this about them "exempting" themselves? Does anyone have a reliable link?

Glenn Beck calls a spade a spade. He says Obama and his gang are socialists. Obama says he's not a socialist. It should be noted that right after the Cuban revolutuion Fidel Castro said , "No somos comunistas."

[Diehard]

Glenn Beck calls a spade a spade. He says Obama and his gang are socialists. Obama says he's not a socialist. It should be noted that right after the Cuban revolutuion Fidel Castro said , "No somos comunistas."

Well, that settles it for me. "Because Glenn Beck said so" and "because Castro said something or other" trumps all logic, right?

[oldredfordette]

I'll bet the Dude couldn't identify Fidel Castro unless he was wearing a "Hello, I'm Fidel" sticker on his shirt..

[Diehard]

I don't get why people are still hollering about this. It's all explained in plain English right there in the snopes.com link.
To summarize:
Congress did NOT exempt themselves from the health care bill, they included themselves.
Congress will not change their health care coverage because nothing in the bill compels them to, nor does it compel anyone else to change their coverage unless they currently have none whatsoever.
This "amendment" doesn't exist, and the whole point is moot.

[ejames01]

The 28th Amendment is the title of a movie that is due out next year. I would not be suprised if the producers started this rumor to generate buzz for it.

[Papasito]

Congress did NOT exempt themselves from the health care bill, they included themselves.

But you have to remember the difference between Congress and average schmucks like you and me is that Dems and Reps in Congress are extremely wealthy and can afford experimental treatments and drugs, and non covered services. Like Ted Kennedy did for his cancer. Ect Ect Ect

We talk about everyone getting "health insurance" like its the end all/fix all,
but everyone seems to be forgetting that HMO's are crap and the coverage is crap

[oldredfordette]

WHICH IS WHY MOST OF THE LEFT DIDN'T LIKE THE BILL. Is there a light actually getting to you?

the fact remains that the 28th amendment is bullshit and it's people like you, Papasito, spreading it around.