Here's an idea for you:

"Snakes on a Legislature"

Historically the stock market does better when congress isn't in session.

Why? Probably because there isn't the usual incredibly destructive economic ideas being proprosed.

What better example is there for less government than the fact that we are, literally, richer when the government is "doing" less.

Your suggestions certainly would make CSPAN much more interesting.

Not that any change would make it more interesting, but the Tigers would be fun.

I receive email updates (propoganda) from my Congressman regularly. The latest was a schedule of meetings and office hours he will be holding in his district. It seems as if at least he is using this time to actually meet with constituents if they're interested. Is that really bad thing? They do represent us after all.

I think its at least worth a moment of pause to think about what the balance ought to be of in-session time vs. time in their district.

That was the idea of the Founding Fathers. Every been in Foggy Bottom in the Summer? The Founders thought that the Legislatures would have to abandon the Capitol, but then some jerk invented air conditioning. Quel domage.

Nick, it's a good thing. The less Congress is in session, the better, because they can't do any damage when they're not in session. Whether they spend their recess time with constituents or relaxing on the beach is of little importance.

I think it was Will Rogers who said "no man is safe in his home so long as congress is in session."

A smart friend of mine suggested rotating where the Congress sits every two years - Kansas City, St. Louis, San Diego, etc. Get 'em out and see the rest of the country, as well as cure the plague of a permanent infrastructure of K street, etc.

"And let's not forget to stock the chambers with man-eating tigers."

Nah, too obvious, and also too quick and easy. Fleas are better. They don't kill, but _boy_ do they ever irritate!

For extra credit, drop a flea in the legislooters' ears that Somewhere In The Building (interlude for ominous oboe music) is a colony of mice infected with a human-lethal, flea-transmitted virus.

If we really want to improve the way Congress conducts business, let's put our honorable representatives on a business schedule. No self-respecting CEO takes that much vacation!

More time for recess appointments!

"No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session." --Mark Twain

Too cynical for Will by half.

...let's move the Capital to, say, Phoenix....

Hey. What've you got against Phoenix?

But at least it's a dry heat. Or so I've been told.

"And let's not forget to stock the chambers with man-eating tigers."

No, no, no. We must reach out to our brethren across the aisle.

I recommend the Sharon Stone Commemorative® Komodo Dragons, instead.

Isn't it Texas where the legislators meet only every other year? And here in Colorado they're only in session about the first third of the year - and still manage to get little done, and less of that well done. How about Congress only shows up every other year - and doesn't get to do sound bites when not in session? Works for me.

In Wyoming, I think they meet every other year for 40 days. There's an old joke that says they should meet every 40 years for 2 days, instead.

BTW, the Denver Post editorialized for a pay raise for the legislature. My response, which they said they were considering for publication, is here: http://lifesbetterideas.blogspot.com