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Virtual U.S. Congress: A practical, plausible way to save millions in waste
BetaNews.com ^ | 6-15-2013 | Derrick Wlodarz

Posted on 06/15/2013 2:21:36 PM PDT by hasb3an

The very notion of telecommuting has been present in the mainstream white-collar workplace now for well over a decade. Yet for one of the worst offenders in padding operating and travel expenses, namely the U.S. Congress, the notion of mentioning telecommuting seems to be downright sinful. One would think that these calls for a "virtual Congress" come from watchdog groups of various political winds. But shockingly enough, one of Congress' very own -- House member Steve Pearce of New Mexico (R) -- is leading the push to bring our legislative branch full circle into the 21st century.

(Excerpt) Read more at betanews.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Government
KEYWORDS: congress; lync; telecommuting; waste

1 posted on 06/15/2013 2:21:36 PM PDT by hasb3an
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To: hasb3an

even if it worked its a drop in the ocean


2 posted on 06/15/2013 2:24:04 PM PDT by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: hasb3an

This is a good idea and would keep members of Congress in their home districts where they could actually know what their constituents think. However, I think that all candidates for Congress must first pass an examination on US history and government, US geography and basic economics and undergo a polygraph exam asking questions about their honesty.


3 posted on 06/15/2013 2:30:31 PM PDT by The Great RJ
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To: The Great RJ
members of Congress in their home districts where they could actually know what their constituents think.

You don't actually believe they care what we think, do you?

4 posted on 06/15/2013 2:31:51 PM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (Jesus, Please Save America!)
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To: The Great RJ

My congressman proposed legislation requiring them to spend at least 20 days per month in their districts. It went into the trash as expected.


5 posted on 06/15/2013 2:38:52 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: hasb3an

Naw. Too much even to telecommute.

Just send the House and Senate recorders over
To the monkey cage at the nearest zoo. Same difference.


6 posted on 06/15/2013 2:49:14 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: hasb3an

We could save billions and live more happily if Congress would recess for four years or so...


7 posted on 06/15/2013 3:30:10 PM PDT by dinodino
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To: hasb3an; All
First, what side of the fence is Pearce on? Is he a constitutionalist or not? I saw the (R) by his name, but that doesn't mean anything these days.

Next, if Pearce is a Constitution-respecting conservative, then I'm for the virtual Congress from the following point of view. Progressives have inflicted thousands of "razor cuts" on the constitutional republic over the last 100+ years to practically destroy the country. Conservatives likewise need to learn to learn to be happy with taking tiny steps to restore the constitutional republic. Maybe Pearce's project is one of those tiny steps.

Finally, if Congress was operating within its Article I, Section 8-limited powers then I could see that members of Congress wouldn't need to spend so much time in DC. But it seems like Congress is having hearings 24/7 to investigate not only its own partisan corruption, but also Oval Office corruption, Benghazi for example.

So is Pearce saying that public would be able to access telecommunicated hearings, and perhaps participate in them? I know that the crooks that Congress has recently been subpoenaing would wouldn't get side-stepping, PC question from FR members like they do from members of Congress.

8 posted on 06/15/2013 4:00:03 PM PDT by Amendment10
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To: hasb3an

a very bad idea

why?

the main result will be that it will be even easier for them to create more laws with which to bind us

a better idea would be to ban their use of computers in the Capitol building and make them take horse and buggy for transportation in D.C. and covered wagons for long distance transportation - keeping them away from D.C. and out of the Capitol bldg more often


9 posted on 06/15/2013 4:10:46 PM PDT by Wuli (qu)
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To: hasb3an

Without the supervision of other members being physically near them, they would be drunk early every day and abuse the pages and interns.


10 posted on 06/15/2013 4:27:57 PM PDT by eartrumpet
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To: hasb3an

So then would the NSA be taking the place of CSPAN?


11 posted on 06/15/2013 4:46:34 PM PDT by zencycler
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To: Gaffer
Just send the House and Senate recorders over To the monkey cage at the nearest zoo. Same difference.

Same difference, hell. The monkey would make better decisions by throwing their feces against the wall and seeing what stuck.

12 posted on 06/15/2013 6:09:42 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks hasb3an.


13 posted on 06/15/2013 8:12:17 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (McCain or Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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To: hasb3an

Why have Congress at all? Why not just let Hussein make all the decisions? /sarc.


14 posted on 06/15/2013 8:24:37 PM PDT by Jyotishi (Seeking the truth, a fact at a time.)
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To: The Great RJ

Their honesty about keeping their oath of office should be the prime question. You know, that pesky “uphold the Constitution” and the silly old “protect the republic against all enemies foreign and domestic” stuff.

If any number of them fail that one, boot their sorry backsides out of office with no appeal, and ban them from government jobs in any capacity for life.


15 posted on 06/16/2013 7:58:06 AM PDT by TheOldLady
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