It's Reality Check Time!

According to Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass, Congress has done it again. In January the U.S. House of Representatives enacted a ban on members accepting air travel on private jets. A few days ago they modified the ban, allowing members to use private jets if they have an existing "personal friendship" with the owner of the airplane. I guess they just couldn't handle the long lines at the security checks.

I'm sorry, but that's it! I've had enough! It's time to implement my plan to educate our reps about what life is really like without private jets and personal assistants. I call it the "Reality Check Sabbatical". It works like this:

Once every five years all elected federal government officials must take a one year sabbatical. While they will continue to serve in their elected offices, they must live like the rest of us. They will be required to:

1. Live on an annual income of $65,000 a year. (They can continue to accumulate their current pay, they just can't spend more than $65 K.)
2. Live in a neighborhood appropriate for individuals earning $65,000 a year.
3. Send their children to neighborhood schools and pay all required fees and charges .
4. Provide their own personal transportation. No limos or drivers will be allowed. They can call a cab, but must tip at least 15 percent. If they fly, they must fly coach, arrive on-time, and pay for their ticket with their personal funds. Aircraft will not be held at the gate to wait for their arrival.
5. Do their own shopping. They must spend at least 1 hour a week shopping, including at least one hour a month buying groceries at WalMart. They must also purchase at least 5 gallons of gasoline a month.
6. Manage all the paperwork for their medical insurance.
7. Do their own income taxes. They can use tax software like 'TurboTax', but no CPA assistance is allowed. If they screw up, they go to jail like the rest of us.
8. Live without personal assistants, cooks, nannys, or other perks of office.
9. No fundraising events, testimonial dinners, or the receipt or spending of campaign contributions will be allowed during this period.

There are, of course, some exceptions. The President can still use Air Force One and live in the White House. However, he will have to take his vacations in cheap time-share condos, he must spend at least 1 hour a month shopping at WalMart, and he will need to buy gas for the limo once every 2 weeks (and pump it himself).