Can a Republican have a good idea?

I should respond 'no way' to the above question, but Rick Perry, of "Commerce, Education, and Oops," has put forth not one good idea but a few.  Friends and family, if I'm finally losing it, be kind, don't tell me.

Perry demanded Congress be turned into a part-time operation and slash lawmakers pay in half.

Other major initiatives to limit the government include banning the Transportation Security Administration, which harasses "law-abiding travelers" and replacing the organization with private companies, axing the Internal Revenue Service, changing the life-long terms of U.S. Supreme Court justices to 18 years, and criminalizing insider trading by members of Congress.

"I do not believe Washington needs a new coat of paint, it needs a complete overhaul. We need to uproot, tear down and rebuild Washington D.C. and our federal institutions," he told a crowd in Bettendorf, Iowa.

The governor says in addition to cutting legislators' $174,000 pay in half, he wants to "repeal the rules that prevent members of Congress from holding real jobs in their home states and communities."

"And if they do not submit a budget that balances by 2020, as my plan calls for, we should cut their pay in half again," he added.

I don't agree with all his proposals, but if 18 years is the cut-off for Supreme Court justices, Clarence Thomas is gone.  For that alone, I'd consider voting for Perry. Slash Congressional salaries and criminalize "insider trading"--sure, but why stop there.  Let's take away their health benefits and pensions at least until the rest of us have something comparable. Of course, we don't need Perry to institute these changes--perhaps a Democrat, one who actually supports "change we can believe in."