3 ms·

I feel largely the same. One idea I've always been a fan of is term limits for every elected office. Don't allow it to be a career option.

8ig8 13y ago
I see your point, but I think it may take a while to get traction. You need some time to learn the ropes before you can get shit done. With that said, I wish it wasn't the case.
- IbJacked 13y ago
  > You need some time to learn the ropes before you can get shit done. I used to hold the same view. Just yesterday I decided that if it takes a significant portion of one term just to learn the ropes, things are broken. They should stop learning and start doing. They seem to be learning the wrong lessons, anyway. They end up learning how to consolidate and maintain power-bases.
  - djur 13y ago
    What we're seeing now in Congress is the risk of having a considerable number of new members. We now see a substantial minority which cares more about ideology than maintaining the function of the institution. If everyone in Congress is relatively new, power will end up concentrating in the people who are in Washington for the long term: lobbyists and staffers, all unelected. Beyond that, term-limited politicians have less of an incentive to please their current employers (the electorate) and more to please potential future employers (lobbyists).
adventured 13y ago
Have to agree. The Senate and House should have term limits, and not very long ones. In my opinion the most 'bought' politicians are the ones that have been there the longest, people like Boehner and Reid. They have the most time to build up relationships with special interests and acquire power / influence to deliver deals to said interests.
pstuart 13y ago
There's a counter argument to that, in that it's a job like any other that takes time to learn: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20111112/COLUMNIST/111119844 http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20111112/COLUMNIST/1111...

8ig8 13y ago

I see your point, but I think it may take a while to get traction. You need some time to learn the ropes before you can get shit done. With that said, I wish it wasn't the case.

IbJacked 13y ago
> You need some time to learn the ropes before you can get shit done. I used to hold the same view. Just yesterday I decided that if it takes a significant portion of one term just to learn the ropes, things are broken. They should stop learning and start doing. They seem to be learning the wrong lessons, anyway. They end up learning how to consolidate and maintain power-bases.
- djur 13y ago
  What we're seeing now in Congress is the risk of having a considerable number of new members. We now see a substantial minority which cares more about ideology than maintaining the function of the institution. If everyone in Congress is relatively new, power will end up concentrating in the people who are in Washington for the long term: lobbyists and staffers, all unelected. Beyond that, term-limited politicians have less of an incentive to please their current employers (the electorate) and more to please potential future employers (lobbyists).

adventured 13y ago

Have to agree. The Senate and House should have term limits, and not very long ones. In my opinion the most 'bought' politicians are the ones that have been there the longest, people like Boehner and Reid. They have the most time to build up relationships with special interests and acquire power / influence to deliver deals to said interests.

pstuart 13y ago

There's a counter argument to that, in that it's a job like any other that takes time to learn: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20111112/COLUMNIST/111119844 http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20111112/COLUMNIST/1111...