Just look at the disasters inflicted upon us by our legislators in Congress and the Senate! They represent corporate America because corporations and self-interest groups bankroll their elections. They supported elimination of rules and regulations on Wall Street, causing the biggest financial meltdown around the globe; supported the unnecessary invasion of Iraq, leading to many of our brave young people killed and maimed; and continue bickering and resisting coming together on just about any issue, which causes unrest and divisions in our society.
Our founding fathers never envisioned that the day would come when we would be governed by career politicians. If they had, they would have made term limits a part of our Constitution as they did for the president. They were very hard working -- typically farmers, blacksmiths and merchants who served to represent their constituents. They believed in rotation in office. They could not have foreseen the day when people would hold politicians in such low esteem as they do today.
The saying, "Country first, state second, party third," is no longer true. Republicans now vote against health care reform, and rules and regulations for Wall Street. When the country votes out a party in power, the old guard changes seats and so do the power brokers. But the status quo remains.
People are getting frustrated and are feeling powerless to throw out the politicians, even when they commit unethical acts unbecoming of true leaders. They develop an aura of invincibility.
Sen. Orrin Hatch has been in office for 33 years. He challenged 18-year veteran, Sen. Frank Moss, for being in the Senate too long. Sen. Robert Bennett said he would remain in office for two terms. It is almost impossible for a fresh face with new ideas to defeat them, because they have enormous funds from lobbyists and self-interest groups and backing of well-entrenched politicians. The Republican party in Utah is so deep-rooted that it does not want to pass even simple and straightforward ethics laws because, "if we do, others might not run for public office."
It is a shame to see how much money the politicians spend to get elected. The last presidential campaign was the most expensive ever, over $5.3 billion (yes, billion). Who is benefiting? The lobbyists; the news channels; self-interest groups; and unknown parties to whom the candidates made promises in order to get elected.
TV news channels would love to have elections held every year to get advertising money. It is a huge income for them and their so-called "spin-doctors" who tell us what to believe. The media also makes a lot of money from various radio talk show hosts who like to spew division and hatred.
The time has come to look at term limits again. Twelve years in office (two terms for senators and six terms for congresspersons) has been widely suggested. The benefits are many.
Term limits will:
1. Make legislators more sensitive to the rules and regulations they pass because they will have to live under them when they leave office.
2. Weed out politicians who would use the office for personal gain since the gain will be limited to the time served in office.
3. Act as a cap on spending since, today, the longer-term legislators tend to be the bigger spenders and stronger supporters of the status quo.
4. Instill fear in the lobbyists and self-interest groups since a constant influx of new public servants will neither know nor care to learn the rigged rules of the game.
5. Create more competitive elections and increase voter choice, thereby re-establishing citizen legislature.
6. Help reduce the permanence of personal and committee staffs.
7. Make campaign financing more transparent since candidates will be changing frequently. Backroom deals, party control of primaries, political opponents working together behind the scenes to keep each other in power, etc will be diminished.
8. End politics as a career and make politicians better public servants.
Standard arguments against term limits are that they are undemocratic; lead to loss of experienced legislators and their expertise; and enhance power of staffers.
Twenty-one states have already enacted some term limits for their congresspersons and office holders. Term limits inject honesty and accountability into our political system. People will feel that they will finally have a voice and want to run for public office to serve and to change the lives of the citizens for the better. There is plenty of talent in this country to fill any hole. Just think of how far we would have progressed today in solving our significant problems if our elected officials put their heads together and truly worked for our good.
Kulkarni lives in Perry.
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