Let Them Eat Cake

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just moved into new offices at a whopping price tag of nearly $19,000 a month. Nice deal for the Realtor. Bad deal for us the taxpayers who are funding her extravagence.

It turns out that this is more than double the next highest monthly rent for a Member of Congress. Her old space was "inadequate" but a bargain at almost one-fifth of the new price at a mere $4,300. The new space is just over 3,000 square feet and one-third larger than the previous office.

Of course, her staff has a comeback for the opulence. They say they needed the larger space and that it will save taxpayers money because of its energy efficiency. How many years do you suppose it will take to do that? What is the recapture rate?

Members of Congress should have the meagerest of accommodations - a small storefront in a strip center. Nothing fancy. The Members of Congress are hardly ever there anyway. All they need is just enough space for someone to answer a phone, check the email, and receive the faxes. Their main staff is in Washington.

Besides, any Realtor who would rent the space to a Member of Congress - regardless of who they are - for more than 2 years would be taking a huge risk. This year it's especially risky. What will they do with that space when she loses or when she is no longer Speaker?

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com, or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. Listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

34 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies • June 15 2010 07:41PM

Citizens' Code for Congress

I started with a top 10. It has grown to 12. Feel free to add your suggestions.

Here is my suggested reforms for Congress that I call the "Citizens' Code for Congress:"

1 - the Constitution must be obeyed - only the 17 enumerated powers are all that can be done

2 - only one issue per bill - no more unrelated issues tacked on because it's the only way to get them passed

3-  only one page per bill - if you can't say it in 250-300 words, try again until you can

4- you must read each bill word-for-word and attest to the fact that you have before being allowed to debate it or vote on it

5- each bill must be read aloud on the floor in its entirety before any action such as going to committee, and only those members present will ever be allowed to discuss it or vote on it

6 -no more voice vote or consent agenda - too easy to hid stuff this way

7- no entitlement programs or earmarks - see number one

8- no more deals for votes

9- you must be available to speak on the phone and greet constituents personally when they visit your office - no more passing this off on staffers whom we didn't elect

10- no deeming or any other shenanigans

11 - current "ethics" rules will be discarded and re-written with the help of a citizens task force, and they will be published as well as permanently posted online - along with consequences

12- you are not allowed to publicly shout at, demean, or otherwise embarrass any members of the public

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

18 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies • March 19 2010 07:24PM

What This Country Needs

What this country needs right now is men and women of conscience, integrity, and conviction - in the Congress of the United States.

When Nancy Polosi and her warriors approach you and threaten you - or conversely promise you and your district the world if you vote her way - it's time to stand your ground and say "no." If you don't like her leadership, vote her out. You are not beholding to her. You should maintain your integrity and vote the will of your constituents.

This is not a popularity contest. She didn't elect you. Sure, peer pressure can make your day-to-day activities on the Hill a little less pleasant than just going along, but by maintaining a personal code and standing your ground, you may well outserve her and the others who cave to her every wish.

In the Senate, it is no different except that there are fewer of you. That's why you need to maintain your own standards. It's easier for us to track 100 than it is 435.

We need people to stand up not stand down. Why vote against what you really believe just to look like a team player or to scratch someone else's itch? If you don't agree with a bill, if you don't like the way the leadership is handling something, if you think the American people are getting a raw deal, speak out.

That we will respect - and even applaud.

Don't count on Americans forgetting the way they used to and just reelecting you anyway. With social media being what it is, we will remember and discuss your mis-steps.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

12 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies • November 22 2009 10:02AM

Does The Capitol Have A Carpenter?

There have many reports the past few days about the closed door meetings on Capitol Hill on health care and other issues - and who has been allowed and who hasn't. The most troubling aspect of this is that we - the public - have been excluded.

We're not talking national security or defense issues here. We're talking excessive spending, taxation, and unrelenting regulation. Any of those discussions we have a vested interest in and should have a seat at the table - if only by listening or seeing who else was at the table.

Here's my proposal: (1) remove all doors to committee rooms where taxation, regulation, and normal legistlative discussions occur, or (2) put big clear glass panels on all such doors and remove the locks so that we can see who is at the table.

Enough of the "behind-closed-door-deals" that are the trademark of Congress. We've had it.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

16 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies • October 22 2009 10:59PM

Don't You Want To Hear The Details First?

Yesterday, Harry Reid, majority leader of the US Senate, said that he promised unanimous Democratic Party support in the Senate for "whatever strategy" the President eventually decided on as far as waging the war in Afghanistan.

Unanimous support? No one is allowed to voice a dissenting opinion? Separation of powers? No debate?

Whatever strategy? That could include a lot - maybe something not everyone agrees with.

Seems a little inclusive and premature without any details. Want to rethink that position, Harry?

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

20 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies • October 08 2009 11:45AM