We have already documented here the NSA has admitted it is collecting more than the nebulous and innocent-sounding "metadata"...I think Bachmann has some lingering detritus from a time when Conservatives believed in law and order blindly, a time when it was unthinkable that bureaucrats and unelected executive leadership would actively threaten our civil rights and target US, a time when political leaders would not think of crossing the line for fear of arousing public anger. Being so naive and dismissive of our concerns given all that has come to light is especially disappointing. Michelle is typically not this deferential to government power and this clueless to the sentiment of the people she represents...I cannot help but think she might have been gotten to...I dunno...I don't get it. If she has other political intentions we'll have to see how this vote plays out. I might drop her an email and ask wtf? I may get an honest response...likely I may just get a wonkish canned statement.
I'd like to think you're right on limits G, worth a shot even though I suspect horsetrading will never be fully expunged. I'd be for banning lobbyists from running for office until 10 years have passed and banning them from entering any government facility uninvited (invitations at committee not member request) and a ban on any officeholder from being a lobbyist for 10 years following their departure. I'd also ban all officeholder perks, move to biennial sessions, ban all recess appointments and make Senate confirmations obtain 2/3 support not a simple majority. All legislative games should end too, bills should be clean and sans riders and amendments not specifically related to the bill. There needs to be a general clearing of the books as well, removing obsolete laws from the books and streamlining what is left...and agencies should have no power to issue regulations...especially if in violation of legislative intent.
Well that's all a fricken pipedream...it won't stand a snowballs chance in Hell...not until we rebuild from the ashes that is...if anybody survives...