Written by Jeff
It is obvious to anyone that watches our elected officials today that the majority of them base their voting decisions on how it will affect their re-election. The best interest of their constituents is usually secondary as they vote on how it looks rather than how it could help. (I have been very careful to use the adjective “majority”. Please don’t comment on the rare official that does vote the other way).
The easy way around this it term limits. A one time term would eliminate the urge for our elected officials to vote to get re-elected rather than to vote on what is right. A wise man, (Larry Elder) said the following: “When you vote to rob Peter to pay Paul you won’t get an argument from Paul”. There are many more middle and lower class people around than upper class so a vote to tax the wealthy is always seen as the right vote for officials to get re-elected. But most people understand that taxing the wealthy is a good way to eliminate jobs and industries that provide jobs. When is the last time you got a job from a poor person?
Term limits has its down side as well. Eliminating good people from public office due to terms only is counterproductive to having the best people on the job. We all want our elected officials to vote to help us. The rare (in my opinion) official that does this would be eliminated after a 4 or 6 year term if term limits were instituted. But would we all be better off in the long run? I think so, do you?
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Comments
8 Responses to TERM LIMITS OR VOTE PANDERING ?
I guess my problem with term limits is that it always smacks to me of voters being asked to be saved from themselves. If voters made informed decisions, wouldn't that solve the problem as well?
Also, it seems to me that if a politician is voting with an eye towards reelection, he or she probably is trying to follow the wishes of the constituents. Isn't that what's most likely to get the politician reelected?
I'm not saying that there aren't advantages to term limits and disadvantages to career politicians; I'm just not convinced that term limits are the solution that they purport to be.
I haven't decided about term limits. I would love to see the blowhard career politicians have to fend for themselves off the public payroll, but my political philosophy is that the people should get who the people want.
Here's an idea I do love: the legislative body may only work (and get paid) 6 months out of the year, or only once out of every two years. Limit government by putting them on upaid leave. Lay them off!
I see pros and cons of both. I wish there were a magical fix. I know they cant please everyone, but I sure would like to be in the "pleased" camp a little more often!
While I think term limits have some pluses, I would be concerned about the negatives.
I do think (like with everything) government has a learning curve. To have a constantly changing group of characters could, in theory anyway, hamper government effectiveness.
In my opinion, the larger problem is the enormous amount of money it takes to run for office. Frankly, I think one of the reasons you don't see more "tax the rich" solutions being implemented is because the politicians know who is financing their campaigns (rich folks). As an aside, as a solidly middle class person, I don't think rich people should pay far more than their share or have special taxes like the ones that California routinely passes, but I also don't subscribe to the notion that the rich are unfairly overtaxed.
I am not sure how I feel about this. I would hate to see an elected official who is doing a great job have to step down. However, I am with Ann in that the blowhard career politicians get on my nerves. I am not sure though, if anyone would want the job if they only were paid for a portion fo the year.
Left or Right, Liberal or Conservative, Democrats or Republicans, almost all politicians are liars, cheats, power driven, and self centered. If they wern't that way when they were elected, they end up that way. They say whatever they think people want to hear to get elected, and then when elected do what ever they want or can. George Bush Sr. said "Read my lips, no more taxes" and then raised taxes. Bill Clinton was the poster boy for the gay and lesbian community with the promise to be their friend and advocate for their rights. But when elected didn't even bother to address gays and lesbians in the military. George W. Bush was for smaller government and iscal responsibility prior to taking office and then increased government spending higher than ever (even taking into account the aftermath of 911). Term limits won't solve California's problems but it might help a little. In the last election not one incumbant State Assemblyman or State Senator lost their seat. So much for change. With term limits at least we would have a different liar and a different spin.
I dislike term limits however in crisis strong responses are necessary.
We have the worst elected representatives in California that I have ever witnessed. I'm sure other states have similar problems. It appears the main goal of every elected offical is to be re-elected. The major source of revenue in being re-elected are special interest groups. In this century the unions have replaced big business in California inbuying votes.
Therefore we get the worst government money can buy.
Unfortunately our newspapers and radio/television are more interested in reporting on octomom, Ana Nicole Smith,
steroids in sports and other sordid tales instead of educating the public and investigatory reporting.
Ergo we need term limits and must defeat attempts to overturn elections that implement limits.
I think term limits are a great idea, I do not worry about limiting a great politition from their ablity of not being able to do their best for a long time and we miss out… I am more worried about making sure that we are not stuck with the likes of the goof balls we have in office now… that is what I have grown accustomed to seeing and am used to.
I say lets limit their ablity to damage our great country… protect us from most of what we are seeing get elected.