Thursday, July 09, 2009
Maybe term limits ARE the answer
"Nothing so strongly impels a man to regard the interest of his constituents, as the certainty of returning to the general mass of the people, from whence he was taken, where he must participate in their burdens." ~ George Mason, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 17, 1788
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7 comments:
I am certainly in favor of legislation banning the exemption of federal employees, congressmen, and senators from national legislation and executive orders.
Good for Thee, but not for Me!
Term limits are needed for all levels of government. Our current local, state and Congressional leaders have proven it, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Maggie,
That is as it was intended, no?
I've always thought that elections are the best term limits so I'm still undecided on a law that prohibits terms...
I think about Ron Paul - I wouldn't want him term limited as he's one of the very few representatives who checks the Constitution for authority before voting on issues...
Maggie,
Ron Paul is an excellent and interesting example.
Unfortunately, he is in the very small minority.
Maybe if we made our congressional representatives live in one huge dormitory in Washington, shuttled them to and from our place of business, and kept them in social security, they would see the wisdom of term limits.
And those thinking like Ron Paul would have no objection with this.
But, as long as our representatives instantly become "royalty," get special. separate medical coverage that is far better than ours, and are instantly vested in a very generous pension system (for life), how can we expect any other result that them being corrupted?
Our representatives NUST be treated just like the rest of us or their behavior will almost always change; and the office will attract the wrong type of people for the wrong reasons.
Q. When was the last time that a regular person (not rich, and not a lawyer,doctor, etc.) ran for and won congressional office?
Hooda - agreed...
It's not the term limits but the 'abide by the rules you make for others' concept that I find so appealing...
But if you never have to abide by those rules because you never return to the general populace?
So the solution is, as Dan says, no exemptions for others from the orders the rest of us must follow...
Maggie,
Abiding by, or better yet not excluding one's self from one's own laws IS appealing, agreed; and it would tend to give a person the motivation to think twice before either sponsoring or voting for items that would include them ;-)
However, living a Spartan lifestyle while “altruistically” serving one's fellow man would tend to make one eager to serve, and then return to a more normal life, which, I find, to be a good thing too
Dan's solution is a good one, and fits in well with our collective attempt to make sure that those wishing to serve their fellow man, do so and gladly return to their former lives.
I would liken it as serving a stint in the military, but with no “re-ups” allowed; both for their own good, as well as our's...
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