Replies to post #40961 on Your Economy (No Politics) (YE1)

[Koikaze]

Good Morning, MisterEC

I agree ... Single Term Limits for all elected officials!!!

As to the five "Arguments Opposed" you listed, I offer the following:

1. Terminates the good politicians along with the bad.

That's not exactly accurate; it terminates good politicians before they have an opportunity (and the experience) to become bad.


2. Instead of term limits, a reform of Congress' procedures would be easier.

Those who claim it would be easier to reform the procedures are those with experience at subverting reforms.

A couple of years ago, in my state, a lawyer worked on the wording of a law to prevent "Pay to Play" (where those who have contracts with the state donate to the politicians who approve their contracts.) Later, the lawyer sent a memo to one of the political parties describing the loopholes he'd put in the law so the politicians could continue the practice after the law was passed. The memo was uncovered and reported in the local newspaper. As far as I know, the law was never amended to close the loopholes.


3. Reduces range of voter choice.

On the contrary, it increases the range of voter choice. Instead of choosing between an incumbent and a challenger, we get to choose between two challengers.


4. Loss of knowledge and experience.

We've learned (to our sorrow) all the 'knowledge and experience' an incumbent gains is in the art of deceit, used to benefit the incumbents and their cronies at the expense of the public.


5. Increases the power of staff, lobbies, and bureaucracy.

As to staff, eliminate them. We do not elect 'legislative assistants' to study the laws under consideration, we elect our representatives to do that. In many (if not most) cases, our representatives don't even read the laws they vote on, they simply follow the recommendations of their 'legislative assistants' ... that's one of the outrageous travesties among our elected so-called 'representatives'.

As to lobbies, their power is not increased, it is sharply decreased. Their politicians don't stay bought. The lobbyists must start their attempts to corrupt our representatives anew, after each election.

As to bureaucracy. it may raise their power, but it also raises bureaucracy's susceptibility to examination and review. New representatives are less likely to accept the status quo than those who have retained their seats for years.

Fred Gohlke