Operation: Shutdown (Day 1)

Hello Journal,

Quite a scare we had on Monday night? Well Monday night also taught me some valuable lessons in life and that I really need to improve on a few things.

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The government shut down this morning at 12:01am and it never seems like congress gets it anymore. President Obama's right... Republicans are the enemy... and Democrats well, they are just laughing at it all because they believe they are always right.

Now come on Journal, everyone knows that politicians are just fat cats living high of the hog because we vote them in so they can screw up America. Each representative walks away with $171,000 and a senator takes home $195,000.

They have investments, stocks, business ventures... Even one senator (Herb Kohl) owned the Milwaukee Bucks until he was asked to relinquish ownership because it would've brought a "conflict of interest." They also get a lifetime federal retirement package at the end.

Do they REALLY need the money they are getting? No they really don't. Not only that, they think they can appease the American people by saying: Oh, well, I'll donate my pay to charity... my entire paycheck.

Yeah, you are really appeasing America there, buckaroo.

I have a way of solving the debt crisis and it's pretty simple

1. All senators and representatives will be subject to a take home pay of $1 if they have assets of over $10,000,000.00 (473 congressional members would be eligible for this). For congressional leaders that don't have assets over $10,000,000.00, they will be subject to a firm $25,000 - $35,000 civil service pay. The president and vice president will be subject to a firm $50,000 pay.

2. Senators will be subject to a total of 3 total terms (18 years) firm.

3. Senators, representatives, SCOTUS justices, along with the Chief Justice will not receive a lifetime pension or federal retirement package. You're on your own.

4. SCOTUS justices will be given 2 terms of 9 years (18 years) firm. Chief Justice must retire at the age once he reaches the age of 70. 

5. The president will not receive a lifetime benefits package except for secret service detail.

6. All senators over the age of 70, will be asked to retire... NO excuses.

7. Enact a balanced budget amendment to the constitution

8. Void the XXVIIth amendment to the constitution

9. Bring in economists and accountants to help balance the budget including ridding us of government waste (which could save us a cool trillion).

10. And furthermore and most importantly, it's time to start cutting aid off to several nations, which include many countries in Africa where the money drops into the hands of war lords for weapons to kill innocent people. We may be the world, we may be the children, but I'm sorry, money's ending up in the wrong hands.

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This shutdown has enraged me as I am going into work and receiving absolutely no pay for my efforts in taking care of the nation. I should be paid for my valiant efforts! Instead, I am having to sit and watch the fat cats down in DC stage their bickering over this shutdown and then in the end they are all friends and enjoying their paychecks while America suffers.

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I am the American Worker and I deserve to be paid as the American Worker... Time to get with it, Congress! NOW!

I still having figured out a good closing or tagline for my journal entries... but eh, i'll think of it.

~ Joshua ~