The Citizen Politician
limiting terms and rotating our representatives
Wow, do you know how long some of the people who make up and control the representative body of the government have been 'representing' you? I had to double check and make sure I wasn't looking at a "lifetime public service" list, but it's not-just the Senatorial offices! So, that means most of these people have been 'in the business' for even much longer than the list emphasizes.
OMG, as they say, let's see- I believe the dictionary defines a government by a few over the many-even a generous, kind and respectable one-as an oligarchy. Oh, but we elect ours, you say. Elect for a lifetime? What kind of post is that? That one man can hold it for generations, supposedly speaking for millions? But what if he is such a wise man, such a proven and trusted leader, you say, why can't he stay? First, because that's an institution, a monopoly, a monarchy in it's own way- it is the very principle I argue.
And then there is the reality-what have they done for you lately? Those very ones, who have been in the Senate promising you this and that, how they will fix it- but instead giving you, well, what we have today! The very ones you have kept re-electing every 6 years to sit in those chairs in that chamber for sometimes over 30 years! The ones who dare confiscate almost half of people's income, the ones who regulate the very bowel movements of business, the ones who keep making laws that give themselves more and more power to do without your knowledge, consent or vote. Now who's the fool, I ask you. Remember the definition of crazy?
Of course they don't want to go-they would have to live with us, pay for services like us, travel like us, buy cell phone coverage and car insurance and pay for their lunch out of pocket and all their own dry-cleaning, too...the list of perks and privileges is endless. Doctor's appointments, legal services, health insurance and retirement benefits, you name it-it pays to know Uncle Sam intimately. But if you're just a private citizen, an average working individual who has to stand by his words on a daily basis and be financially responsible for yourself and your dependants without any special perks-well, life is not so smooth, not so affordable, and mostly it just doesn't feel so 'free'. So, your average Senator is not in any big hurry to vacate his post-ever.
What if after a maximum two terms you had to go 'back to your regular life', you know, like school teacher and dentist and bakery owner. What if you had to receive and live with the reaction of your constituents during the actual applications of laws you had voted for? What personal income tax ceiling would your Senator vote for if he had to come back earn a living and pay that tax in two years time? And live off the remainder, no perks? That is very much missing now-those who make the rules seldom have to live with their consequences. They somehow manage to live in the bubble we provide for them by re-electing them term after term after term after term...
We need to limit the terms that can be served by congress, senate, and judges-all judges, even supreme court ones. No lifetime tenure in any part of government-that is a hierarchy, and it must be stopped! Keep the power in the hands of the people by allowing access to government on a regular rotation of the people who serve in government. Demand that all lawmakers re-immerse themselves back into our societies within a given timeframe so that they must experience the 'fruits of their own labors'.