Sheer Genius? Or a pipe dream made in heaven?
July 20, 2009 – 3:37 pmMike Adams outlines a method of “throw the bums out” (term limits) that is accountable and realizable. The Alliance for Bonded Term Limits. This may, of course, just be another pond for otherwise useless legal piranha to litigate endlessly as politicos vie to avoid their bonded promise and its financial consequences.
We oppose legislated term limits at the Federal level. A Constitutional Amendment is the appropriate way for the Congress to approach the problem of Kennedys, Byrds, Hydes, Hatches and Specters. We know that won’t happen. Therefore we support the Alliance for Bonded Term Limits. We encourage you to ONLY support candidates who will volunteer to limit their own power.
We DARE YOU to participate.
4 Responses to “Sheer Genius? Or a pipe dream made in heaven?”
I must respectfully disagree. We have term limits now – every election is an opportunity to do so. Having experienced term limits, in Michigan have given us a Legislature full of amateurs, and they depend on lobbyists and staffers – the former often being ex-legislators – for policy advice in order to make the system work. The newbies are also prone to start looking ahead to their next job, and to vote accordingly.
What we need are informed and virtuous citizens. What we lack are enough of them to make this country governable under our Constitution. Without better citizens, any changes to a system predicated on virtue will be futile.
By ssgconway on Jul 22, 2009
We need virtuous citizens who don’t and won’t make a career of government. Fix the staffers and lobbyists and use the bonded term limits pledge.
We need virtuous citizens but we know that power corrupts….
I’d rather amateur legislators as the founders intended than professional politicrats who seek nothing but perpetuating their own power.
By Nik on Jul 22, 2009
I dont think its fair to presume that a term limited representative would allow staff to lead them around by the nose. I spent six years as staff in the US Senate and this seems unlikely. Every member starts somewhere, and do we really belive every member is entirely beholden to staff for the first six years of their carreer? For three terms in the House and an entire Senate term they are at the mercy of others? Foolish. Maybe for the first six months they are deferential, but after that most politicians both know what they want to do and basically how the system works. They are not masters of the game, mind you, but they are effective — and would be particularly so when freed of the need to run and raise money all the time. A senator with no need to run, acting on behalf of only his conscience, could be a powerful and postive force.
By Swamp Merchant on Jul 28, 2009
Constituants want to be guided by clear thinking legislatures who represent them in a fair and level-headed method . There is NO room for self indulgence that eventually corrupts. Term elections should exist like it does in many organizations that benefit the public. “Old rats in the barn” tend to smell up the place . Many government bills are read only by staff members and lobbyist and then advise the legislator. Guess who , then, is passing the laws in the country ? Why not have 3 -three year terms for all legislators. Two-thirds of them would always be the ” old guys” with experience while one-third will be newly elected. Our 1776 forefathers would applaud !!
By L. Capel on Jul 28, 2009