Folly of Term Limits

Term Limits as a proposed solution to stronger, more effective and more responsible political representation fails to address the very complex and deep seeded nature of the problem and thus falls far short of the desired outcome.  It is not our politicians that are the primary problem but rather “we the people.”

 The first and most crucial flaw in the term limits thinking is a belief that changing our politicians like we change out underwear will produce a different or more positive result.  Where has it ever been demonstrated that better or more viable representation will result from term limits???

We would also be wise to consider that any and all surveys and polls over the years have been unanimous in their findings that most Americans are very dismayed with congressional performance but always believe their representatives are admirable.  It’s always those other louts that are the problem.

Do we really think that Minnesota’s sixth district will ever elect anyone other than a Republican or that the fourth district will ever elect anyone other than a Democrat??  Those voters don’t care, and worse DON’T KNOW, what these candidates represent. They only care about their party affiliation.

 It also fails to take into consideration that a politician can be corrupted with guarantees of lifelong security or threats to his well-being with just a single telephone call.

 We are also laboring under the misconception our politicians will, without any public outcries, properly address our problems and challenges.  In reality they will not act without activism, without our very vocal demonstrations of strong public support or outrage, whoever occupies those elective offices.  “We the people” lack any such backbone today.

While our lack of resolve for breaking windows is a major concern, the abhorrent apathy of sitting at home on election day is even more repulsive.  Ninety-seven million (97,000,000) of the 241,000,000 eligible voters sat at home in 2016.  This allowed a scant 26% of the eligible voters to place Donald J. Trump in the oval office. 

One of the most important lessons we should be learning from the Trump presidency is that a novice in our political system is a disaster.  The “Civil Rights Act Of 1964”, ending the Jim Crow racist stranglehold on America, needed Lyndon Johnson’s and Hubert Humphrey’s knowledge of our governing system, legislative experience, political skills and long-term relationships with members of congress for the bill to gain legislative approval.  Johnson and Humphrey implored and convinced their long-time legislation colleague, Everettt Dirksen, to persuade his Republican colleagues to end the filibuster that was killing the bill. It was this acumen, forged through years of service, that ended the filibuster thus paving the way for its passage and signing.

Legislations enacted through the joint efforts of President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Thomas "Tip" O’Neil, both seasoned, veteran lawmakers, greatly benefited America.

 Not all career politicians are evil.  Only the bad politicians are evil.  Are we really comfortable with disposing of those dedicated public servants committed to the general welfare and common good of this nation???  Let’s hope not. 

Expressing our anger and frustration through adopting term limits advances no guarantee that there will be some momentous awakening to Chuck Hagel’s marvelous wisdom.

Let's also ask ourselves if we truly believe we are living in a democracy when the our government is dictating who we can and CAN"T support for elective offices?  

We should also contemplate how realistic it is to spend the time and money on a proposition destined to fail.  Do we really believe that American politicians are going to support any initiative that removes them from the gravy-train? 

It’s a whole lot easier to think our problems can be solved at the ballot box when, in fact, it requires national sacrifice and serious activism – taking to the streets – disrupting those in power with the stability they need to maintain their self-centered stranglehold on our political system and way of life.  For them to have control, “We the people,” must remain silent and inactive, regardless of who those office holders may be.  

The term limits suggestion and debate are a complete waste of time.  We have far more important issues that demand our attention not the least of which should be repealing the 22^nd amendment, not expanding it.

Bernie Sanders and Winning

In order to win a political contest in America today a candidate must be affiliated with one of the two major political parties.  Once that support is gained, the total focus and primary objective is winning.  Everything else – issues, solutions, commitment to the general welfare and common good – are all relegated to insignificance. Thomas Jefferson knew this and was oh SOOOO wise in his caution which we have chosen to ignore; “I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men…Such a system is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.  If I could go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.”    

 

This ingrained acceptance of a party system of governance ignores the fact that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. never held an elective or appointed political office.  Fifty years later we are still ignoring that it was Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential bid that has led to the widespread acceptance of a $15.00 an hour minimum wage and that, for the first time, we are engaged in serious conversations and consideration surrounding a single payer universal health care program and system.  These were UNHEARD OF before the Sanders 2016 presidential campaign.  He is building a consensus where none existed before.  It was done without winning the presidency.  That is leadership.    

 

At present it appears that the Democratic party is well on their way to making exactly the same mistake they made in 2016.  Joe Biden, the most influential candidate within the party, seems destine to secure the nomination.  Like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton, Biden’s appeal focuses on his longstanding stature within the party, superficial allures and building party image.  Once again, like Pelosi and Hillary, Biden represents the old, tired, corporate wing of the party.  They have ignored, and continue to ignore, the reality that our government plays a key role in the general welfare and common good of our nation.  “The era of big government is over.” was the single biggest mistake the Democrats ever made.  With that pronouncement, the party that once waged war on poverty, not the poor, and prided themselves on securing justice and humane legislation and treatment to uplift the downtrodden and marginalized among us, came to an end.

 

Knowing that Dr. King, didn’t need to win to have a marvelously powerful, positive impact on our way of life should provide the Democrats with the confidence and backbone to rid themselves of super-delegates and the darkness of political expediency and hatred.  Time for them to follow Bernie’s lead and commit themselves to once again providing the bright sunshine of liberty they have forsaken.