http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
The behavior of politicians, such as Congresspersons in particular, has always been the subject of much derision and cynicism, not just for years, but thruout history.
Yet we have not found any better way to run the political systems of our free societies than to tolerate the kinds of people who are not only willing to endure the grueling electoral process, but who also, having tasted the perks of office, are bound and determined to do everything they can to continue in office forever.
A short time ago, I started to become concerned about the fact that the reelection rates of incumbents of both parties has reached 99%.
My commonsense tells me that this is corrosive to the health of our representative democracy. I would venture that the thoughtful reader would agree.
The Founders had hoped to set up a framework in which “rotation in office” would tend to reduce the accumulation of arrogance, unseemly power, and corruption in public office. And on the whole, for almost 200 years, they were fairly successful.
However, in recent years things have changed. It seems that we are entering the era of ‘the aristocracy of incumbency’.
The latest facts are as follows (Cato Journal vol.14, no.3):
In the history of the US House of Representatives,
150 years ago, 60% of incumbents ran again, and 75% got reelected.
In the last 50 years, 93% of incumbents ran again, 90% won.
In 2004, 99% of incumbents who ran again won reelection !!!
If this trend persists thru a few more election cycles, it would seem that a successful incumbency is, in effect, a new aristocracy. Which is exactly what our American Revolution in 1776 was all about !
True, the difference is that, then, we needed a war to get rid of King George, whereas today we only need to vote the incumbents out.
So why isn’t ‘rotation in office’ working today ? It is a combination of many
factors which have created an inertia in the voting public which maintains the status quo in favor of incumbents in both parties.
In fairly close elections, this tends to allow a significant fraction of the public, who are really indifferent and uninvolved (and who will always exist), who vote on name recognition, or party lines, seldom on the issues or the character of the candidates, who enable incumbents to stay in office, regardless of merit.
That’s why we need a Congressional Term Limits Amendment (CTLA)
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
2/26/2005
#8 CONGRESS' NEW TERM LIMITS PLOY
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
I just saw a TV news report that some in Congress are proposing a Constitutional
Amendment to rescind the 22nd Amendment, which limits the President to two terms.
Now, I can see some rabid Clinton fans trying to get a third term for Bill, or
some rabid Bush fans, trying to do the same for George W. But I suspect a more
devious and malign motive.
I am sure that Congress is aware that, across the country in statewide elections,
local term limits are being enacted, and re-affirmed, with extraordinary majorities.
They can see ‘which way the wind is blowing’, and that it is only a matter of time
before it is blowing for Congressional Term Limits.
Therefore, they figure if they can whip up some enthusiasm for allowing a third term
for Presidents, they feel that this would in some measure be a significant counterforce against limiting the terms of Congressional Senators and Representatives.
In my research into the Founders’ preparation for designing the Constitution, there
was considerable emphasis on Madison’s studies of great minds thruout history and on
the repeated focus of those sages on the principle of “rotation in office”, which
would be a major impediment to the growth of corruption in office.
In other words, ‘rotation in office’ is what the philosophers of old called term limits. And it was a principle they all relied upon to create and sustain healthy governance.
Should we, in the modern world, think any differently ?
Our Founders, who did such a marvelous job in creating the most successful, longest living Constitution in history, may have made a mistake in assuming that the voters would vote to assure ‘rotation in office’, and that politicians would not be able to thwart the principle of ‘rotation in office’. But, they also gave us the ability to amend the Constitution to fix their mistakes. I believe, if they were alive today, they would be disappointed to see that we have not already done so.
I am Nelson Lee Walker, and I believe that our country needs Congressional Term Limits.
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
I just saw a TV news report that some in Congress are proposing a Constitutional
Amendment to rescind the 22nd Amendment, which limits the President to two terms.
Now, I can see some rabid Clinton fans trying to get a third term for Bill, or
some rabid Bush fans, trying to do the same for George W. But I suspect a more
devious and malign motive.
I am sure that Congress is aware that, across the country in statewide elections,
local term limits are being enacted, and re-affirmed, with extraordinary majorities.
They can see ‘which way the wind is blowing’, and that it is only a matter of time
before it is blowing for Congressional Term Limits.
Therefore, they figure if they can whip up some enthusiasm for allowing a third term
for Presidents, they feel that this would in some measure be a significant counterforce against limiting the terms of Congressional Senators and Representatives.
In my research into the Founders’ preparation for designing the Constitution, there
was considerable emphasis on Madison’s studies of great minds thruout history and on
the repeated focus of those sages on the principle of “rotation in office”, which
would be a major impediment to the growth of corruption in office.
In other words, ‘rotation in office’ is what the philosophers of old called term limits. And it was a principle they all relied upon to create and sustain healthy governance.
Should we, in the modern world, think any differently ?
Our Founders, who did such a marvelous job in creating the most successful, longest living Constitution in history, may have made a mistake in assuming that the voters would vote to assure ‘rotation in office’, and that politicians would not be able to thwart the principle of ‘rotation in office’. But, they also gave us the ability to amend the Constitution to fix their mistakes. I believe, if they were alive today, they would be disappointed to see that we have not already done so.
I am Nelson Lee Walker, and I believe that our country needs Congressional Term Limits.
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
2/20/2005
#7 "NO POLITICIAN SHOUD BE ALLOWED UNLIMITED REELECTIONS..."
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
The subtitle of the TenureCorrupts website is the quotation:
“No politician should be allowed unlimited reelections...
...even if he has the votes !”
You might ask: If I believe in democracy and a representative republic, how do I square the first half of the sentence with the last half ?
There are two principles which form the basis of that declaration.
First, my commonsense (and yours) and my experience tells me that, for most people, the longer anyone stays in one job, the more jaded and less effective he becomes in that job, especially in a legislative job where he has no particular ‘boss’, as one would have in any other organization, especially in commerce or industry.
This happens for a number of reasons. For example, the specific problems he wanted to address may have been solved during his tenure, or found to be insoluble due to factors beyond his reach; or he may find the day-to-day grind of legislative politics too arduous, and opts to just ‘go with the flow’; or as is most likely, he simply does not have the imagination or drive to propose unique or exciting ideas for better government.
Secondly, a great many successful reelections are not the result of any particular merit of the winning politician or his platform, but rather simply due to the lazy acquiescence of a significant fraction of the voting public who are voting for names they recognize on the ballot, because they ‘have nothing against the incumbent’ (e.g. the “they are all the same, and at least I know this guy” syndrome).
I had specific evidence of that last factor when I was building the ‘SignUp’ page of the website and found I had to modify the data entry format for people who did not know their Congressional District number, or even name of their Congressperson.
The effect of this large indifferent fraction of the voting public is especially felt when we have close elections, as in ‘00 and ‘04. It serves to extend the status quo of incumbent politicians whether
they were good public servants or not, as long as they were unobjectionable.
Is this any way to run a democracy ?
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
The subtitle of the TenureCorrupts website is the quotation:
“No politician should be allowed unlimited reelections...
...even if he has the votes !”
You might ask: If I believe in democracy and a representative republic, how do I square the first half of the sentence with the last half ?
There are two principles which form the basis of that declaration.
First, my commonsense (and yours) and my experience tells me that, for most people, the longer anyone stays in one job, the more jaded and less effective he becomes in that job, especially in a legislative job where he has no particular ‘boss’, as one would have in any other organization, especially in commerce or industry.
This happens for a number of reasons. For example, the specific problems he wanted to address may have been solved during his tenure, or found to be insoluble due to factors beyond his reach; or he may find the day-to-day grind of legislative politics too arduous, and opts to just ‘go with the flow’; or as is most likely, he simply does not have the imagination or drive to propose unique or exciting ideas for better government.
Secondly, a great many successful reelections are not the result of any particular merit of the winning politician or his platform, but rather simply due to the lazy acquiescence of a significant fraction of the voting public who are voting for names they recognize on the ballot, because they ‘have nothing against the incumbent’ (e.g. the “they are all the same, and at least I know this guy” syndrome).
I had specific evidence of that last factor when I was building the ‘SignUp’ page of the website and found I had to modify the data entry format for people who did not know their Congressional District number, or even name of their Congressperson.
The effect of this large indifferent fraction of the voting public is especially felt when we have close elections, as in ‘00 and ‘04. It serves to extend the status quo of incumbent politicians whether
they were good public servants or not, as long as they were unobjectionable.
Is this any way to run a democracy ?
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
2/18/2005
#6 COWARDLY CONGRESS
http://www.tenurecorrupts.com
Another reason for Congressional Term Limits is that Congress is showing a disturbing lack of ‘backbone’ to do what ordinary commonsense demands that it do for the good of the country.
There are a number of clear examples. One of the most egregious is the constant battle about closing obsolete, yet costly, military bases, as recommended by the military, or by special commissions set up to study the problem (so that Congress can avoid the responsibility of making the decision).
While it is true that such actions are economically hurtful to the affected local constituencies, it is no different than the local buggy-whip factory going out of business because of no demand for its product. Such things happen in life and cannot be avoided.
But, since the general U.S. taxpayer is paying for useless military bases the cost appears painless; on the other hand, since the local politicians are afraid they might not be reelected if the bases are closed, they fiercely oppose base closures. (The ‘not in my backyard’ syndrome).
With term limits in place, a far greater percentage of the politicians would already be in their final term, so that reelection was not a concern, and therefore they would be free to vote the responsible way, e.g. to close wasteful bases.
Other examples of ‘cowardly’ Congressional behavior include creating bureacracies to which they delegate the ability to define laws which take away property rights (wetlands, endangered species, etc) which if they (Congress) enacted specifically, would get them booted out of office in a hurry.
It is time for a Congressional Term Limits Amendment.
www.tenurecorrupts.com
Sign Up now to start the Tidal Wave !
nels96
Another reason for Congressional Term Limits is that Congress is showing a disturbing lack of ‘backbone’ to do what ordinary commonsense demands that it do for the good of the country.
There are a number of clear examples. One of the most egregious is the constant battle about closing obsolete, yet costly, military bases, as recommended by the military, or by special commissions set up to study the problem (so that Congress can avoid the responsibility of making the decision).
While it is true that such actions are economically hurtful to the affected local constituencies, it is no different than the local buggy-whip factory going out of business because of no demand for its product. Such things happen in life and cannot be avoided.
But, since the general U.S. taxpayer is paying for useless military bases the cost appears painless; on the other hand, since the local politicians are afraid they might not be reelected if the bases are closed, they fiercely oppose base closures. (The ‘not in my backyard’ syndrome).
With term limits in place, a far greater percentage of the politicians would already be in their final term, so that reelection was not a concern, and therefore they would be free to vote the responsible way, e.g. to close wasteful bases.
Other examples of ‘cowardly’ Congressional behavior include creating bureacracies to which they delegate the ability to define laws which take away property rights (wetlands, endangered species, etc) which if they (Congress) enacted specifically, would get them booted out of office in a hurry.
It is time for a Congressional Term Limits Amendment.
www.tenurecorrupts.com
Sign Up now to start the Tidal Wave !
nels96
2/09/2005
#5 ORDINARY AMERICANS
www.tenurecorrupts.com
With the enactment of Congressional Term Limits (CTL), it is very likely that many more ‘ordinary Americans’ will be entering public office. By ‘ordinary Americans’, I mean people who would are currently earning a living in the mainstream of commercial and industrial life, who decide to run for public office because they believe they would like to affect public policy on some issue or issues.
I believe that, on the whole, and in the long run, ordinary Americans who are willing to serve as legislators for a brief period are more likely to be good legislators than career politicians who have served in government for many years.
Why do I say this ? Well, because 'ordinary Americans' are more likely to do things that are ‘the right thing to do’, rather than ‘going with the flow’, trading favors, and focussing on their reelectability. Remember, we are talking about term limitted people who, by definition, are not career politicians.
True, he/she (the ordinary American) might not have as much experience in the ‘wheeling and dealing’ that is so so much a part of the give-and-take of politics, but that is precisely the point. This country has grown so successfully because a free people with enormous commonsense, creativity, and drive, did not need any special ‘experience’ to make the country great.
Thus, it should be clear that no special experience is necessary to become an effective legislator. Whether you are a career politician or not, the existing staff and ever present bureaucracy serve to provide the nuts and bolts and tools of government. When you are elected, it is your job to use your imagination, integrity, and commonsense to see that government serves the people well.
I’m Nelson Lee Walker, and I believe that our country needs Congressional Term Limits.
TenureCorrupts.Com
With the enactment of Congressional Term Limits (CTL), it is very likely that many more ‘ordinary Americans’ will be entering public office. By ‘ordinary Americans’, I mean people who would are currently earning a living in the mainstream of commercial and industrial life, who decide to run for public office because they believe they would like to affect public policy on some issue or issues.
I believe that, on the whole, and in the long run, ordinary Americans who are willing to serve as legislators for a brief period are more likely to be good legislators than career politicians who have served in government for many years.
Why do I say this ? Well, because 'ordinary Americans' are more likely to do things that are ‘the right thing to do’, rather than ‘going with the flow’, trading favors, and focussing on their reelectability. Remember, we are talking about term limitted people who, by definition, are not career politicians.
True, he/she (the ordinary American) might not have as much experience in the ‘wheeling and dealing’ that is so so much a part of the give-and-take of politics, but that is precisely the point. This country has grown so successfully because a free people with enormous commonsense, creativity, and drive, did not need any special ‘experience’ to make the country great.
Thus, it should be clear that no special experience is necessary to become an effective legislator. Whether you are a career politician or not, the existing staff and ever present bureaucracy serve to provide the nuts and bolts and tools of government. When you are elected, it is your job to use your imagination, integrity, and commonsense to see that government serves the people well.
I’m Nelson Lee Walker, and I believe that our country needs Congressional Term Limits.
TenureCorrupts.Com
2/03/2005
#4 HOW TO PROMOTE MY WEBSITE ?
www.tenurecorrupts.com
Most blogs are simply computerized diarys, where people recount the events, joys, and frustrations of their daily lives. Which is fine as far as it goes.
The only reason I have a blog is to promote my website, www.tenurecorrupts.com, which exists for the sole purpose of enacting a Congressional Term Limits Amendment. The website is a work in progress, and is far enough along to warrant working on how to give it more exposure to the American voter.
Since this is a private effort with limited financial resources, I would like to see if I can somehow "advertise" on the Web, by using bloggers' "word-of-mouth" mentions of the site objective.
Can I get some Blogger.com readers to comment with suggestion ?
Most blogs are simply computerized diarys, where people recount the events, joys, and frustrations of their daily lives. Which is fine as far as it goes.
The only reason I have a blog is to promote my website, www.tenurecorrupts.com, which exists for the sole purpose of enacting a Congressional Term Limits Amendment. The website is a work in progress, and is far enough along to warrant working on how to give it more exposure to the American voter.
Since this is a private effort with limited financial resources, I would like to see if I can somehow "advertise" on the Web, by using bloggers' "word-of-mouth" mentions of the site objective.
Can I get some Blogger.com readers to comment with suggestion ?
2/02/2005
#3 HOW PROMOTE CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS ?
www.tenurecorrupts.com
Now that I've got this website almost up and running, I'm wondering what are the ways to get attention to it, and get people to SignUp. I am fully aware that this is not a subject that most people will get all excited about, but at the same time, I know that whenever it gets on a ballot, it gets lots of votes to pass it.
Let's see if the Blogger community will make some suggestions by submitting comments to this blog.
Now that I've got this website almost up and running, I'm wondering what are the ways to get attention to it, and get people to SignUp. I am fully aware that this is not a subject that most people will get all excited about, but at the same time, I know that whenever it gets on a ballot, it gets lots of votes to pass it.
Let's see if the Blogger community will make some suggestions by submitting comments to this blog.
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