We Need Term Limits

The opposite of 'term limits' is 'careerism'. A person's political career depends on the person's ability to get re-elected. A politician's ability to maintain or advance his/her career depends on keeping the constituents at home happy. The politician who 'brings home the bacon' enhances his/her chances to win re-election, or to run for a higher office.

You ask, "What does it hurt to have professional politicians?"

Prolonged stays in power is corruptive. Being in power is addictive. The incumbent's re-election becomes the focus of their term. Raising money for re-election, arranging for the distribution of tax money to projects that are dubious but necessary for re-election make up just a fragment of the efforts our elected representative use to further their self-interest.

The number of politicians interested in only one or two terms in office is rare. I realize that there is some altruism out there, but this piece is going to assume that our politicians all have a career in mind when they decide to be a politician.

A novice politician to Washington first has to learn the pecking order. Largely, the pecking order begins with seniority. As a matter of logic, the more senior members know more about getting re-elected than the novices, so they have control. Novices quickly learn that it takes 'cooperation' to advance any ideas that they might have. It is reminiscent of curious children daring each other with, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." It is a tit for tat atmosphere in the halls of the Congress.

Careerism is responsible for the politician's blind eye to pork laden Bills that wend their way through the Congress. Pork laden bills are successful because every one of the politicians rides in the same boat. They must keep the home-folks happy or some smooth talker will replace him/her in the next election cycle. Last year's pork was around $18- billion dollars. Politicians see the pork as political mother's milk. But for most of us, it just means more taxes.

Some projects are not pork, but necessary governmental obligations. The career politicians have learned to use legitimate obligations as a lever to insert pork. The 'good ole boy' network recues both the legitimate obligation and the pork. Politicians insert earmarks. Remember, getting re-elected is the driving force here. That is where term limits would help. Term limits would stop the continual need for politicians to pander to their constituency.

The large omnibus bills that make their way to the President's desk are a disgrace. These large pork laden bills say a lot about congressional members. The earmarks within those bills attest to the ambition of the politicians as well as their contempt for the nation. They will do whatever it takes to further their 'careers' in complete deference to the needs of the nation.

There is another way to handle the needs of the congressional districts and individual states. When necessary, a congressional member can make any proposal to help his/her district or state. Give the proposal a fair committee hearing and if it gets out of committee, allow a vote on the proposal. Along the way, others might even help improve on the proposal. What a concept! The politician will still have something to show the folks. If the proposal passes, then he can brag. But if it fails, he/she can still refer to the effort on behalf of the constituents.

We need term limits now. I would propose no more than one term for a senator (6 years) and three terms for House members (again 6 years). Rotate the committee leadership positions every year and choose the new chairperson by a system of chance and not because of political need or favor. (Drawing straws perhaps?)

Another benefit of term limits would be to lessen the influence of lobbyists. Since the politician would have no need for campaign donations, he would be able to make uninfluenced choices with his votes. Just think about it. A lobbyist would have to sell his ideas on merit rather than a bribe of campaign cash.

The Congress must be good stewards of the nation. We can no longer afford ambitious, self-serving, callous power seekers. Serving in congress should be an obligation and not a career. The political parties should nominate people with integrity. Anybody nominated by a political party should have to undergo a vetting process that is vigorous enough to weed out candidates found lacking in character.

Term limits may be just wishful thinking, but if the American people demand it, maybe, just maybe it will happen. According to a Harris poll, Americans polled about their respect for the people in charge of their major institutions, Congress consistently comes out next to the bottom. Law firms are the only group that the poll identifies as more unpopular than Congress. Imagine that!

Stand up for Term Limits!
Thanks Bud,

Cheers,

-Robert-