BETTER GOVERNMENT

Here's my idea:

Build or buy some apartment buildings in Washington, D.C. Make sure all the apartments are the same size, plain and without adornment, and would be of the type affordable by a family of three with a combined annual gross income of $75,000.

Take the names of every person who has two years or more of college and is registered to vote and put the names in a big hopper. Have a small child pull out the appropriate number of names for the House of Representatives and two names for the Senate. Those people will serve in the respective legislative bodies for the requisite period of time. They will receive the salaries they were making in their private positions, with a 7% increase each year. If they were unemployed when selected, they will receive salaries commensurate with the positions for which they are educationally and experientially qualified. Their employers are required to GUARANTEE them their old jobs back, at the end of their government service, if the people want them back.

Move them to Washington, make them live in the designated housing. Do not allow them to use their own or other private funds to decorate or otherwise change the housing. Provide child and pet care services on-site, for hours necessary. Contribute to a 401k and provide health insurance during the period of service. Give them a set number of transportation vouchers to go home during each legislative session.

At the end of their term of service, send them home and get new ones. It can be the "New" Draft. How much worse could it possibly be? I'll bet they'd be more reasonable and get more done.