Be Wary When The Bunny Thinks
Thomas and I talk a lot. I do mean a lot. Today, he was grumbling about Congress. (Not an unusual subject for my friendly, neighborhood curmudgeon) But, it was what he was talking about that piqued my interest. He was talking about that dreaded term that strikes fear in the hearts of every Congressman and Congresswoman. It causes them to shake and shiver worse than the Democrats do over the Constitutional Option or John Bolton.
The idea rattling around in his skull? The idea that drives politicians nuts? Simple.
It is called term limits.
I know, this subject has been brought up before, and those in Congress are the first ones to speak out against such measures. Duh! They do not want to be unemployed any more than I do. But at this point in this nation’s history, I feel it is time to move forward with such a measure. For far too long the "status quo", as Thomas calls them, have been in power, and the nation is not getting any better or moving forward. We keep sliding down the slope of mediocrity, and the nation is getting worse. From activist judges going to the federal bench because their "friendly" to both sides of the aisle to our war effort, partisan politicians dig in based on their ideologies rather than what is good for the nation.
Term limits may be what we need.
Our Founding Fathers did not envision a career politician sitting high in their offices for the majority of their adult life. They expected them to go, serve the people, and return home. But for some within the congress that is a prospect they would rather opt out of; they do not feel the need to work and contribute to this nation. They enjoy the perks of their positions. Who would not? I would enjoy such perks, too, but my duty is to the nation, not to a body of old fat-cats that disregard the masses as some untouchable lot that they only cater to when election time comes around.
The masses, ladies and gentlemen, are who would elect me, and to whom, ultimately, I answer to. If I were to do something they disliked, then I can be voted out of office. The problem is America has become complacent. We pay as little attention to campaigns and elections as possible. For whatever reason we have, we do. (I do not, but that is me. I cannot speak for everyone.) We elect most people—or reelect, I should say—based on name recognition. We recognize names like Kennedy, Byrd, McCain, Specter, and Clinton. We trust those names (God knows why) to do what is right. Often times, they do not. At least not in my eyes, but again, I cannot speak for everyone.
Term limits would take away the excuse of name recognition. People would have to research new candidates, and determine whether they agree with that person or not. Thomas’ idea gives House members three terms and Senate members two terms. Twelve years for either House, and they could be elected to the Senate despite having served in the House. They just cannot continue to serve in the House. The maximum amount of time that one person could hold federal office, provided they were not elected to the presidency, would be twenty-four years. Not bad. I would rather it were cut back further, but it is a start.
In my opinion, based on my research, the issue has not been fully addressed by the people of the nation, or their elected representatives. The inclusion of term limits would definitely limit the partisnaship that is evident today, and it would rotate fresh blood, fresh ideas into the Houses of Congress. In short, it is what our Founding Fathers would have wanted, yet failed to enumerate because they trusted in an inherent morality. They failed to remember that "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
The Bunny ;)
Thomas and I talk a lot. I do mean a lot. Today, he was grumbling about Congress. (Not an unusual subject for my friendly, neighborhood curmudgeon) But, it was what he was talking about that piqued my interest. He was talking about that dreaded term that strikes fear in the hearts of every Congressman and Congresswoman. It causes them to shake and shiver worse than the Democrats do over the Constitutional Option or John Bolton.
The idea rattling around in his skull? The idea that drives politicians nuts? Simple.
It is called term limits.
I know, this subject has been brought up before, and those in Congress are the first ones to speak out against such measures. Duh! They do not want to be unemployed any more than I do. But at this point in this nation’s history, I feel it is time to move forward with such a measure. For far too long the "status quo", as Thomas calls them, have been in power, and the nation is not getting any better or moving forward. We keep sliding down the slope of mediocrity, and the nation is getting worse. From activist judges going to the federal bench because their "friendly" to both sides of the aisle to our war effort, partisan politicians dig in based on their ideologies rather than what is good for the nation.
Term limits may be what we need.
Our Founding Fathers did not envision a career politician sitting high in their offices for the majority of their adult life. They expected them to go, serve the people, and return home. But for some within the congress that is a prospect they would rather opt out of; they do not feel the need to work and contribute to this nation. They enjoy the perks of their positions. Who would not? I would enjoy such perks, too, but my duty is to the nation, not to a body of old fat-cats that disregard the masses as some untouchable lot that they only cater to when election time comes around.
The masses, ladies and gentlemen, are who would elect me, and to whom, ultimately, I answer to. If I were to do something they disliked, then I can be voted out of office. The problem is America has become complacent. We pay as little attention to campaigns and elections as possible. For whatever reason we have, we do. (I do not, but that is me. I cannot speak for everyone.) We elect most people—or reelect, I should say—based on name recognition. We recognize names like Kennedy, Byrd, McCain, Specter, and Clinton. We trust those names (God knows why) to do what is right. Often times, they do not. At least not in my eyes, but again, I cannot speak for everyone.
Term limits would take away the excuse of name recognition. People would have to research new candidates, and determine whether they agree with that person or not. Thomas’ idea gives House members three terms and Senate members two terms. Twelve years for either House, and they could be elected to the Senate despite having served in the House. They just cannot continue to serve in the House. The maximum amount of time that one person could hold federal office, provided they were not elected to the presidency, would be twenty-four years. Not bad. I would rather it were cut back further, but it is a start.
In my opinion, based on my research, the issue has not been fully addressed by the people of the nation, or their elected representatives. The inclusion of term limits would definitely limit the partisnaship that is evident today, and it would rotate fresh blood, fresh ideas into the Houses of Congress. In short, it is what our Founding Fathers would have wanted, yet failed to enumerate because they trusted in an inherent morality. They failed to remember that "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
The Bunny ;)
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 7:08 PM
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