Congressional Term Limits Now

George Washington was right - Having competing parties would lead to problems in our country. "However combinations or associations of the above description (political parties) may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

If I were the emperor god of the political world, there are so many changes I would change. For starters, it would be a requirement that elected and appointed officials had to be able to pass a rigorous test covering the content of the US Constitution. Secondly, just like in most businesses, employees are required to take refresher courses on law and ethics of their particular specialty, those same government officials would be required to revisit the underlying reasons for the inclusion of those contents of the Constitution. And most importantly, they would be required to know what the Declaration of Independence stated was the purpose for having government in the first place: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That to secure those rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...”

I find it reprehensible what has happened to our government which was once the envy of the world. Party Bosses control who gets a chance. Then, special interest groups of every variety step in, pledging money with strings attached. The media controls what we’re allowed to know about the candidate. Because we, as people, devote limited attention to what’s going on, we focus all our attention on the presidential race and very little attention on the most powerful branch of government: Congress. Once in, 100 members of the Senate and 435 members of the House are essentially shrouded in anonymity. They conjure up rules and committees and bills that can’t possibly be understood by the man or woman on the street. In back rooms, they exchange favors and attach riders to bills completely unrelated to the content of the rider. Committees often refuse to allow bills leave the room despite knowing the public supports it. They’ve learned their trade well and know all the tricks to direct traffic and hide their corruption.

Congress is the body of government that determines our economy. The House of Representatives originates bills involving taxation. It is Congress who approves the budget. It is Congress which declares war. It is Congress that has the power to accept or reject presidential appointments. Congress writes the laws. Congress orders investigations. Congress overrides the power of veto. And it is Congress which has the sole authority for impeachment of government officials.

It has become clear to me that Congress is not really interested in the People anymore. Madam Pelosi belittles 50% of the American people by calling them dangerous and an astroturf movement. Lines of communication designed to allow constituents to contact their representatives are shut down, and responses, if any, are boiler plate explanations of “thank you” but here’s what we’re going to do anyway. Town Hall meetings are canceled due to unruly protestors.

The answer to this? Term limits in Congress. Far too many members of Congress are “lifers.” They get in, learn to play the game, brown nose those in power (or are sidelined until they learn how the cow at the cabbage), pay their dues, become power brokers in their own respect, and become indoctrinated to “the Washington Way.”

We need to clean house. Republicans and Democrats. We need fresh blood - people who have actually had real jobs, and a variety of jobs as opposed to a steady parade of attorneys. People who go to DC with ideals of actually representing the People, and don’t stay long enough to become jaded and handled. We need candidates who are more concerned with doing what is right than in flying around in billion dollar jets while telling the public they have to be green.

I don’t think Congress can actually see the forest through the trees anymore. I mean, how hypocritical is it to pretend we’re concerned about the world while we won’t drill for oil in our own backyard but we don’t mind if we buy it from somebody else who does? And while we give away our country to China, how stupid are we to think they won’t take advantage of ALL the natural resources found within our borders. Why in the world are we asking soldiers to risk their life in Afghanistan or come back as an amputee when we won’t give them the resources and authority to win? With the firepower and technology our country has, why the hell can’t we keep the illegals and drug lords on their side of the border and let Mexico clean itself up? For years, I’ve listened to liberals bash conservatives about America going around nation building - for purely selfish motives. I’m sick to death of people feeling apologetic for our country. I say, bring the soldiers home and use those who volunteer for active duty to shut down our borders to anyone attempting to come here illegally and take advantage of tax paid services.

Here’s an interesting footnote: I started to rant about Muslims being in our country who offered no apology for the misrepresentation of Islam after 9/11 and terrorism a la jihad in general. I looked at my writing and thought - “You’re over the top.” I got home, turned on the news to find that a convert to Islam had committed the largest atrocity to US soldiers on a US base in the history of the country. Major Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire on US soldiers graduating, ceremonies had been delayed due to their service overseas, killing 12 and injuring another 31. The guy is a psychiatrist. I thought Islam was supposed to be a religion of peace. Will the existing churches of Islam enjoying the freedom of religion come out and condemn the major’s actions as being totally inconsistent with their teachings, or will they remain silent? Will the Rev. Jeremiah Wright tells us that this is another case of the chickens coming home to roost? (Sometimes I can’t tell where black theology and Islam begin and end.)

But I digress - big time. Admittedly, this blog is a rant, but it’s just the way I am feeling today. Pretty much tired of trying to help a thankless Third World, I’m ready to bring our troops home while they still live - especially if our goal is muddied and they’re at the whims of politics in Washington, DC. Such was the setting of Viet Nam, and that proved disastrous. We actually need their help here: I’m sick and tired of looking at graffiti inspired by the gang mentality of Mexico. Continuing to have southwestern states live in the fear shadow of drug cartels seems ludicrous when we have the means to protect our own borders. Allowing an influx into the US of people who practice a religion of hatred toward Western philosophy seems suicidal, and yet we practice it to prove we embrace diversity. The proverbial shit is hitting the fan at an ever increasing pace, and I can reconcile my own plight by thinking that I may well die before the collapse actually happens. But what about my children? What about my grandchildren? And more importantly, what about the sacrifices of those who fought for this great country to exist in the first place?

Congress is the key to the future of the US. We cannot allow them to remain anonymous. We cannot allow them to recline in the comfort of a lifetime incumbancy. Change is required, and that change will only be required through term limitation.