Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest of us

I think there ought to be a law that ends that practice.

How could we actually get that done considering the very people who make the laws would probably be against it?

Re: Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest o

Context?

In general, of course I agree, but where is this coming from?

Re: Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest o

I believe the COTUS does not allow sitting Congresspersons or elected officials for being tried for crimes except maybe capital murder. This is as i understand the responsiblity of the Congress to take care of their own.

What should be done though is get rid of their special health care and retirement plans and let them pay for their own. Many of them are rich and can afford it. Those that aren't will learn what it is to live with the health care system we have.

They should also be made to live only on the salary we pay them.

Re: Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest o

No, they should not be exempt from the laws they pass.

Re: Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest o

wolfman24 said:

I believe the COTUS does not allow sitting Congresspersons or elected officials for being tried for crimes except maybe capital murder. This is as i understand the responsiblity of the Congress to take care of their own.

What should be done though is get rid of their special health care and retirement plans and let them pay for their own. Many of them are rich and can afford it. Those that aren't will learn what it is to live with the health care system we have.

They should also be made to live only on the salary we pay them.

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the fact that they are also all exempt from Obamacare gets to me...even Obama himself is exempt...if they feel it is so great then all that pushed it through should be on it and show by example. And when they are tax cheats like Timothy was then they should be held accountable as if it were us that were tax cheats....the thing about all politicians is that they have gig egos=all yahoos....they think they are above us little folks....they just cant help themselves....it takes a certain kind of person to run for office....with a certain kind of ego...the kind of ego not anyone of us have...or we would be running ourselves.

Re: Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest o

cledussnow said:

I think there ought to be a law that ends that practice.

How could we actually get that done considering the very people who make the laws would probably be against it?

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Myth: Members of Congress are exempt from the laws they pass

Reality: Members of Congress are already subject to all of the same laws of our country. This exception is Article 1, Section 6 of the Constitution, which states:

“They [Congress] shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.”

This section of the Constitution exists to protect the separation of powers and ensure that the executive branch does not abuse its own authority to influence votes in Congress. Please note that this does not exempt Members of Congress from prosecution for commission of a crime. Furthermore, it does not apply when Congress is not in session. Otherwise, the laws of our nation and state and local governments are equally applicable to Members of Congress as all other Americans.

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Myths About Congress : Congressman Jim Gerlach

Re: Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest o

Politicaladdict said:

the fact that they are also all exempt from Obamacare gets to me...even Obama himself is exempt...if they feel it is so great then all that pushed it through should be on it and show by example. And when they are tax cheats like Timothy was then they should be held accountable as if it were us that were tax cheats....the thing about all politicians is that they have gig egos=all yahoos....they think they are above us little folks....they just cant help themselves....it takes a certain kind of person to run for office....with a certain kind of ego...the kind of ego not anyone of us have...or we would be running ourselves.

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Myth: The new health care law will not apply to Members of Congress

Reality: The law actually states, “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 created under this Act or offered through an Exchange established under the Act."

Therefore, the only insurance the federal government will make available to Members of Congress and their personal office staff will be through a plan created by the law or on the Exchange.

However, there has been some controversy surrounding this provision because Congressional staff who work for Committees or Leadership (such as for Speaker Nancy Pelosi) are exempt, as are White House staffers.

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Myths About Congress : Congressman Jim Gerlach

Re: Should politicians be able to exempt themselves from laws they pass on the rest o

Ok but here what I understand. Congressmen and elected officials are exempt from certain laws and cannot be arrested for them. heres why.

Senators, X, Y and Z oppose a bill before the Senate. They are considered the key members in defeating the bill. They are arrested on separate trumped up charges or charges based on circumstantial evidence. There is a trial and they are found innocent. However, because of the length of time from arrest to acquital, the bill goes before the Senate and passes by 3 votes.

If I remember my American History these laws or provisions were put in place to prevent Congressmen from being "harrassed", or from not being able to fulfill their duties. the same for other elected officials. Instead the provisions (or whatever they are) allow for the House and Senate through impeachment and other processes to take care of such situations in house. (no pun intended)

I am not saying I agree with it but there is a reason for it being there.