Changes need to be made to our political system in Washington DC. Politicians need to understand that they work for us and we do not work for them. When a politician becomes elected they seem to work for the people that donated money to their campaigns and not for the people that elected them. When politicians introduce or vote on new legislation we really don’t know what side they are on or why they voted the way they did. In order to level the playing field, people elected or seeking to be elected as a United States Senators and Congressman should come under the following guidelines: • Back ground checks and drug testing - We need to make sure elected officials do not have a criminal past. • Term Limits – There is no need for Congressman and Senators to be in office all their life. When local Township Supervisors and many positions up to the President of the United States have term limits, it only makes sense that US Congressman and US Senators have them also. • Benefits – US Congressman and US Senators should not have better benefits than the citizens they represent. The Pension should only be for the years they hold office. Health Care and Social Security should be exactly the same as everyone else. • Pay Raises - US Congressman and US Senators should not vote themselves pay raises. It should either be done by and independent board of citizens or by citizen vote at election time. Pay raises should be based on three criteria. The criteria as to the amount of the raise if any would be on: 1. Performance of the elected official. 2. Performance of the territory that they represent. 3. Performance of the United States of America. If things are not going well then there should be pay cuts. • Campaign Finance Reform - US Congressman and US Senators should not be getting money from special interest groups, PAC funds, and Super PAC funds. Elected officials should get an equal amount of money and media attention based on the following: 1. They pass Background and Drug Test and other requirements that are currently used to qualify people for those positions. 2. They obtain a certain number of signatures from constituents they represent that want them to run for office. 3. Tax Payer money will then be provided to run their campaigns. Each candidate would get the same amount. There would be different amounts of money for different positions. All politicians would need to manage that amount of money to run their campaigns. If they can’t manage their campaigns then they may not be able to manage their territory or country. All politicians would have equal opportunities for debates and not just the selected few from selected political parties. If you agree that guidelines need to be made as to how our politicians operate in Washington DC, please sign this petition. When completed, copies will be sent to all representatives and the news media. Let’s work to build a better foundation.