government repairs: part 2 of 5

If the government is not irreparably broken, then how can we fix it? 

 

Priority #1:  congressional term limits.

 

Several of you have publicly and privately affirmed the above; the first step to fixing our broken government is to establish term limits for the elect.  The length of each term should be debated.  Presidents are given a maximum of 8 elected years.  I believe a reasonable approach is 12 years for senators — meaning 2 elected terms — and 8-12 years for representatives — meaning 4-6 terms.  If 8-12 years is not long enough to complete one’s job, then perhaps one is in the wrong job.

 

In preparation for suggested priority #1, I sought conservative, liberal, and independent opinion — gleaning insights from the Annenberg Public Policy Center, Cato Institute, Heritage Foundation, BalancedPolitics.org, and RestartCongress.org among others.  Utilizing several of their articulations, let me offer the following reasons for congressional term limits:

 

• Politicians would be less likely to focus on special interests because they cannot stay in office indefinitely.
• If the elect are less focused on special interests, they will also be less likely to become comfortable with “pork barrel” spending.
• Being less focused on lobbyists and special interests, chances for corruption will be limited.
• More of a “citizen” Congress would be created, as opposed to congressional bodies primarily consisting of lawyers and career politicians.  Congress would thus be better in touch with their constituents as opposed to in touch with national party platforms.
•  If better in touch with constituents, the vote of the elect would also more accurately reflect those they represent.
•  The elect will then not be too far removed from their experiences in the private sector; hence, they should more easily comprehend how the private sector is affected by their legislation.
•  Those in their last term of office are more likely to ignore politics and media criticism when considering prudent policy measures.
•  The need for re-election becomes less important — as then does toeing the party line and holding onto party seats.  Too much of that is the current driver behind individual legislative decisions, which complicates passing legislation.
•  Committee assignments would be determined by merit and expertise, rather than tenure, another area that currently wields significant potential for corruption.

 

The bottom line is that term limits would help restore ample respect for Congress.

 

One more thing that was eye-opening to me during this research process was the answer to the following question:  who typically opposes term limits?  What people groups seem to be most against the concept — especially when you look at the substantial, ethical reasons above?

 

Primarily in opposition to term limits are political scientists, lobbyists and special interests, and the elect themselves.  The concern among some political scientists is that amateurs may end up running the government.  But the lobbyists? … the special interest groups?  They see their influence as potentially lesser.  The elect?  They like being in office.

 

Term limits, hence, are priority #1.

 

Respectfully,

AR