The imperial Congress is a corrupt body. Both major parties are deeply mired in self-aggrandizement and self-promotion. They have breathed deeply of the "inside-the-Beltway air" and succumbed to the allure of power.

Over the years Congress has bestowed unto itself benefits no other group in the United States can claim. These include automatic pay raises that have to be voted against to halt, the best retirement program in the nation (full investment after five years) and medical care beyond compare.

In addition, they are practically immune from any ethical punishment. Congress writes the ethics rules, investigates violations and recommends punishment. Don't we all wish we had such a deal? Have we heard any member of Congress raise questions about their perks?

Now we see Congress abetted by the administration attempting to destroy the United States economy by throwing billions at failing businesses that are to some extent in trouble because of congressional action.

These actions include pressing financial institutions to issue mortgages to individuals who have no ability to repay them and saddling the automobile industry with such unsustainable CAFE standards that the Big Three with bloated labor costs (self-inflicted) are on the brink of failure.

This same Congress now thinks it can fix their problems by throwing massive sums of money at them. Ronald Reagan was correct -- "government is the problem." The best solution to the financial situation is to lower taxes drastically: personal, corporate and capital gains. Let the American people keep their money rather than possibly throwing it away.

It is time to rein in Congress. The answer is a Constitutional convention to repeal the 16th and 17th Amendments and enact term limits on Congress, as is the case with the presidency.

Peyton E. Cook

Southern Pines