Soon the schools will be full of students and congress will reconvene its fall session. Doubtless there is much pressing business to be dealt with but it is unlikely that anything but Healthcare Reform will make news. Unemployment is still devastating the lives of countless Americans and costs of things in the stores, particularly food, continues to rise. They say that there isn’t any inflation to speak of. I don’t know where “they” shop but it is not near me.
Lest I create a dismal mood let me remind you of all the good that has happened of late. For one thing, more Americans are involved in their government than I can ever remember. I have seen and heard people quoting Thomas Jefferson, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence like school-kids on exam day. Many of our legislators seemed to heed our concerns and those who didn’t revealed themselves so that we can vote them out. I suspect that a number of Incumbents will soon gain a firsthand understanding of unemployment. Too bad most will have lifetime salaries and medical care. Which brings me to my point: Legislators should have term limits.
It seems that once a politician goes to Washington, they soon fall into lock step with all the “good ole boys” on the hill. With their arrival they learn about getting reelected and party loyalties at the expense of representing those of us who sent them there. It has been said that it is nearly impossible for a political candidate to beat an incumbent. I suspect that is largely due to our ignorance as constituents and our lack of involvement. Perhaps now we have been jolted into understanding a “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. President Lincoln went on to say in that Gettysburg Address that it was his hope that this type of government “not perish from the earth”. That would be my prayer as well.
I find it interesting that the one who now sits in the Whitehouse likes to think of himself as another sort of Lincoln. The only similarity I can find is that they both are tall. From there they differ greatly. One’s belief was for Liberty, the other for dependence (a form of slavery of the most evil kind). One desired to heal a nation, the other hopes to redefine it in his image. One was a great man who acted common, while the other aspires to be great at any price. Indeed, one was a statesman and spoke with power and conviction. The other speaks as convenient and never reveals his true intent. One had a monument erected to his memory, the other poses on every television channel everyday as a living monument unto himself.
Great presidents and even ordinary presidents have term limits. Perhaps our founding fathers knew how slothful and corrupt men can become with such power. Should we not seek to use similar wisdom in those who represent the people? (It should be clear that I do not believe Congress is currently doing representing us.) Should we not set clear limits as to their length of office, salary, and the nature of their benefits? Do you not find in odd that the chickens in the coop and in charge of the grain and even the farm? Congress doesn’t want our healthcare, our opinions, or our concerns. I think it is time that we remind, even bring about a new understanding with them. We are the Boss. Mr. Obama that goes for you as well.
Heliophobia
6 hours ago
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Well said Ken, can't say much more than that. You nailed it.
ReplyDeleteThe best answer to this question and any other question is to throw Congress OUT!
ReplyDeleteThere is only one infallible, unstoppable way to get Term Limits in Congress: NEVER REELECT ANY INCUMBENT! AND DO IT EVERY TIME!
Most folks think I am too unreasonable in asking everyone to NEVER REELECT ANYONE IN CONGRESS. They think it’s an extremist position. But that’s the whole point! Congress will never listen to us UNLESS we scare the bejesus out of them! To drive the point home, NEVER REELECT ANYONE IN CONGRESS, AND DO IT EVERY ELECTION!
The closer we get to a “Voter’s One-Term Congress”, the closer we’ll get to real term limits on Congress, and a “Citizen’s Congress”.
There is only one way to make term limits happen : The American voter must IMPOSE term limits on Congress by NEVER REELECTING ANYONE IN CONGRESS, AND DO IT EVERY ELECTION! In other words, don't let anyone serve more than one term. That's the only way to teach them that the voter is boss! The “one term limit” can be eased AFTER citizens get control of Congress.
Congress will never allow us to constitutionally term limit them. Our only choice is to NEVER REELECT them. All of them!
Remember too, it makes no difference who you vote for, as long as it is NEVER any incumbent.
I believe that even a little success in a campaign to NEVER REELECT ANYONE IN CONGRESS would move us a long way toward a revolutionary change in American politics, much like 1776. Some of the reasons in favor of this approach:
• It gives us a one-term, term limited Congress without using amendments
• It would be supported by 70% of the country who want term limits for Congress
• It is completely non-partisan
• If repeated, it ends career politicians dominating Congress
• It opens the way to a “citizen Congress”
• It ends the seniority system that keeps freshmen powerless
• It doesn’t cost you any money. But you MUST vote! Just don’t vote for an incumbent
• It is the only guaranteed, infallible, unstoppable way to “Throw ALL the Bums Out”
• It takes effect immediately on Election Day
• If it doesn’t work, do it again and again! It will work eventually, I promise.
NEVER REELECT ANYONE IN CONGRESS.
The American people already have term limits. They are called elections. I think that it would be much easier to have term limits so citizens would not have to remain vigilant and informed. Elections are the term limits. Stay vigilant and informed. Never to be caught napping again.
ReplyDelete