A friend of mine recently brought to my attention a news article that highlights Citizen's Alliance for Pennsylvania (CAP) reasons, efforts and challenges as it seeks to instate term limits in Pennsylvania. The names, dates and places mentioned in the article could easily be changed to
describe our Federal government.
While I find the article very informative, it fails to
mention what I consider the raison d’être,
which I believe is human nature. As I have previously pointed out, all humans (me,
you, everyone) are inherently greedy, impatient and lazy. These traits have led to marvelous
technological advancements that have improved our standard living; however,
these traits have led to the outcomes as highlighted in the above-mentioned article.
More specifically, most of us (me included) are to blame for
the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C. Most of us have been lazy and typically voted (if we voted
at all) the party line that seems the most appealing. Instead of participating
in our government, we sought to improve our standard of living whether through
possessions and/or activities (stemming from our own specific greed). I suspect our blind trust (knowingly or
unknowingly) of others attributed to some of this behavior.
While I encourage trust, we have to be careful because
politicians are human, too. Most politicians seek reelection (greedy – even if
for altruistic reasons). However, as I previously pointed out from my walks in Florida Congressional District 5 (formerly 3)
it is difficult to build a grassroots base from which to seek public office; it
is much easier (lazy and impatient) to seek donations from those that are well
heeled.
As P.J. O’Rourke once stated, “when buying and selling are
controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are
legislators.” We need not look far; looking at Corrine Brown’s financial
supporters, one will notice bipartisan support from those well-heeled individuals in the transportation and rail industries. To be fair to Ms. Brown, she is not alone. All of our elected officials are guilty,
more so for those longer in office.
This support comes with a quid quo pro as exemplified most recently by the Farm Bill that passed in the Senate.
To rectify this situation, we must first take responsibility (to ensure our freedom) by first
acknowledging our own shortcomings, which we can use to motivate ourselves and
others to act. I believe (& it
seems that I am not alone per the article) that term limits is the main
solution. Surely, there are other
solutions, but I believe term-limits will have the most impact because:
·
Subjecting members of Congress to term limits
will lead to more qualified people seeking office;
·
Special interest will see their influence
diluted because they will not know whom to back; and
·
As result, candidates will need to reach out to
you the voter allowing you more influence.
I suspect the framers of our Constitution did not consider
term limits due to:
·
Serving one’s country was just that, a service,
not a career (due in part to our ancestors’ reliance on agriculture at the
time) and
·
The life expectancy rates 200 years ago were
near half the rates today.
As a final note (or nail in the coffin), if what is good for
the goose should be good for the gander then Congress should pass an amendment
to the Constitution limiting their terms since Congress deemed it necessary to
pass an amendment limiting the President to two terms. Sadly, Congress currently controls the
process, but if we act together then we can control the process.
I envision one day a several million (maybe tens of million)
American march on Washington, D.C. to force through Congress a bill that will
eventually lead to such an amendment. This day would be preceded by:
·
The overwhelming (as in table pounding) support of all Presidential
candidates, which is all she or he can do for a bill passed by Congress that seeks to amend our Constitution and
·
The wide spread acknowledgement of our efforts
in the media, such as our ‘Bill Drafting’ parties/events where we (the people)
create the bill that will be submitted and passed by the necessary majority with which to
send to the States for ratification.
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