Term Limits - re-re-re-revisted
I know I'm like a broken record. To my younger friends who do not remember or know what a record was - it was something upon which music was reproduced which included a round medium that spun with a needle which saddled in the groves which produced music. When it broke, the needle couldn't progress therefore it repeated the sounds of the last grove repeatedly. My apologies to the engineers, if any, who read this and accept it as completely inept.
In the Roman Republic offices were held for a period of one year. The exception was the Censor who held office traditionally for eighteen months. There were checks and balances at every turn to prohibit abuse of power. When we look at the congress of today and see the practice of elective service as a lifetime career objective, we shouldn't be surprised at the results. I believe Charlie Rangle was elected in 1954. Nearly all of the Democratic committee chairs are 20+ year veterans. At least the Republicans with all their faults had put term limits on committee chairman posts.
How would term limits ever come about. One would be the complete disintegration of the political system as we know it today. The dark ages of participatory government from which hopefully, would rise a new republic. Never say never but it is doubtful. Look at the French revolution. It resulted in more of a mess than it cured with the over throw of monarchy. This county, like many things in nature, was born in a particular time and with a particular set of circumstances. If you, like me, are Christian you will say it was God's will. It could occur by revolution. But if history is any gauge, it would only be after a despotic period where the populace would suffer terribly.
One thing is for sure. The politicians will never give it to the people freely. The only alternative I can think of is some spark that would cause a ground swell of sentiment against the system as it is. This may sound far fetched, but so would the idea that a bunch of blogger's could have grounded John Kerry's bit for the Presidency.
I do believe sincerely that this is the only salvation for the nation in any similarity of the form the founding fathers gave us. Pray for the return of reason.
In the Roman Republic offices were held for a period of one year. The exception was the Censor who held office traditionally for eighteen months. There were checks and balances at every turn to prohibit abuse of power. When we look at the congress of today and see the practice of elective service as a lifetime career objective, we shouldn't be surprised at the results. I believe Charlie Rangle was elected in 1954. Nearly all of the Democratic committee chairs are 20+ year veterans. At least the Republicans with all their faults had put term limits on committee chairman posts.
How would term limits ever come about. One would be the complete disintegration of the political system as we know it today. The dark ages of participatory government from which hopefully, would rise a new republic. Never say never but it is doubtful. Look at the French revolution. It resulted in more of a mess than it cured with the over throw of monarchy. This county, like many things in nature, was born in a particular time and with a particular set of circumstances. If you, like me, are Christian you will say it was God's will. It could occur by revolution. But if history is any gauge, it would only be after a despotic period where the populace would suffer terribly.
One thing is for sure. The politicians will never give it to the people freely. The only alternative I can think of is some spark that would cause a ground swell of sentiment against the system as it is. This may sound far fetched, but so would the idea that a bunch of blogger's could have grounded John Kerry's bit for the Presidency.
I do believe sincerely that this is the only salvation for the nation in any similarity of the form the founding fathers gave us. Pray for the return of reason.
posted by Oldhugh | 5:08 PM
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