The idea of congressional term limits has been popular with the public for a long time. But getting them introduced and passed in Congress has proven difficult because the system is designed around seniority. The longer someone is in office, the more power a member gains through leadership positions, committee assignments and the ability to get things done for their constituents. Or so they maintain.
It’s also about the opportunity to gain power and that power usually corrupts. The main currency in Washington is really secrets about people or dirt that you can get on other personnel. Once people have been in Washington for so long, they tend to have these opportunities to become really corrupt, and they stop to repel the Swamp and become part of it. Their concentration becomes to protect their interests and power instead of the needs of their constituents. They begin to see themselves as part of an “elite” and they do anything to maintain that life.
The chances of Congress ever putting term limits on themselves is remote. But “we the people” do have the power to impose our own term limits. Some of you might be thinking we’ve always had that option. You’re right but what I have in mind is a more focused approach, rather than the general “just vote them out if you don’t like them” mindset. This leads many folks to the unfortunate conclusion that if “person X” has been elected to office for so long then he or she must be alright. Or they begin to think what’s the point of voting for someone else.
My idea is relatively simple. Establish a set of number of years a person is eligible to be a member of Congress and have that become tradition if not actually set in law. Reminiscent of how George Washington set the precedent of serving only two terms in office. This wasn’t made part of the Constitution until the 22nd amendment was ratified in 1951.
I suggest, if eight years is long enough as President, then 12 years is plenty sufficient to be a member of Congress. Two terms as Senator, six terms as Representative, or one as Senator and three as Representative. Serving in Washington DC for over a decade gives anyone time to make an impact. Also, it will help them remember they have to come back and live in the circumstances and conditions they help create.
Every good campaign or cause has a visual attached to it to aid in getting folk’s attention, so I created the artwork below. Please feel free to use it to help spread the idea if you like my suggestion and think it’s worth building support for. We the people can make change happen.
Fini. That’s it. Rant over.
