1. “I will return to the Treasury all of my Congressional pay and benefits above that which I would receive were I still on active duty in the Marine Corps. In plain language, I will not accept any pay above that which I would normally have received as a Marine, but will return it to the taxpayers from whom it was derived. Interpretation: I am not doing this for the money.”
2. “I will not partake of the Congressional retirement system, no matter how many terms I serve. Interpretation: I am not doing this so I can ‘sit back and collect.’”
3. “I will neither buy nor sell stocks, bonds, real estate, or mutual funds, through a blind trust or otherwise, either directly (by myself) or indirectly (through a partnership or other entity) for the entire period that I serve in Congress, beginning with the date of the primary election, and ending one year after my final day in office. In plain language, I will not participate in insider trading or have one hair's weight of accusation leveled against me due to controversial votes or legislation. I will not allow my position in the House to be influenced by any source other than my best understanding of the founding documents of our country, my own conscience, and the people of my District. Interpretation: I will reject corrupting influences.”
4. “I pledge that I will not participate in earmarks, unless more than 50% of all voters in every county (or portion of a county) of the District which I represent sign a petition for me to do so. Interpretation: An earmark can only be good if it's good for everyone; otherwise, it's a special favor to someone at the expense of everyone else.”
5. “I will not vote in favor of an unbalanced budget unless the President who presents the budget simultaneously presents a detailed plan (with draft budgets) demonstrating a balanced budget by the end of his/her term of office. In plain language, if a President can show me how they are going to balance the budget within their current term, I will vote in favor of their budget proposal, regardless of the President's party affiliation. Conversely, if the President does not present a balanced budget or a plan to get to a balanced budget within their current term, I will vote against their budget, be they Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Interpretation: I am loyal to principle above party; it's time to spend only what we take in (and less if possible).”
6. “I will keep my oath of office in its entirety. Interpretation: I will take offenses against the Constitution seriously and do everything within my power and authority to defend the Constitution and to return the federal government to its Constitutionally limited role.”
Well said! It's the most commendable pledging to renounce the retirement benefits and more importantly, principle above party. I wonder how many other potential members of Congress have made similar pledges. If only more would!
ReplyDelete- Corrine Rypka, LT USN(Ret.)
Folks, I can guarantee you that Wade means every single word of this in spirit and in letter. He's also the type of guy who, if he inadvertently wavers and it is pointed out to him, will admit it and rectify it that afternoon. I've met few people in life who are this dependable and steadfast. It was my absolute pleasure to work beside him and I am a better person because of it.
ReplyDelete-Jeff Draper, Edmonds WA