How To Get Things Done Once And For All
Posted: Tuesday, July 21, 2009
by Michael Ramzy
delusionthread.com
Political Corruption are words that flow so well together, it's hard to imagine the word 'Political' without the 'Corruption'. Sure, we laugh and joke all of the time about this or that politician doing this or that, and yet in the end we look down and realize we are truly in some sad situation when corruption of public servants in America, the land of the free, is a laughing matter. We don't blame ourselves, of course, even though we put them there.
If you substitute the word 'Police' for 'Political' I can guarantee no one would laugh. In fact, everyone would get very quiet and wonder if their houses are locked and their valuables safe. Why? Have you ever stopped to think why police corruption is serious business and political corruption is a laughing matter? Both are public servants, right? Both have our best interest at heart, right?
Wrong.
Police have our best interest at heart and arm themselves accordingly to counter any threat to us. Politicians say they do, yet they seem more intent on furthering themselves (sometimes at our expense) and consequently disarm us to counter any threat to them.
Does that make sense?
Does it make sense politicians take money from a group to vote on a bill that favors that group? Do police take money from thugs and burglars to look the other way? Well, of course some do, yet the majority do not. Politicians, on the other hand, are so intent on getting to Washington (or your state capital) and then staying there that they seem to have their hands out to any and all givers.
What do we the people do? We laugh and laugh and then we look down (in shame?) and then we get mad and say 'something's gotta give', or 'there ought to be a law'. Well, there is a law, of course, and yet the system is set up so the lawmakers are policing themselves.
The solution? I'm glad you asked. We've all heard about 'term limits' and my answer has always been 'there already are term limits: it's called the ballot box'. And yet, the same people get re-elected time after time and the same problems keep popping up and nothing (of consequence) gets done. If nothing gets done, the method we are using now has to be flawed. So, why not make all public service terms in government for one term only. That is, amend the Constitution to allow four-year terms for everyone. Senators, who now serve six years, would serve only four. Same for congressmen. And, same for the president.
This way, those in office will not waste one moment of your time or money on trying to get re-elected. They will not be in office long enough to get chummy with lobbyists and will certainly not be in office long enough to skewer the American taxpayer by taking years to do something that should take weeks or months. There will be no 'old boys clubs' where the 30- and 40-year members have such seniority they forget what it's like to go to a grocery store, or forget what it's like to pay for something with their own money.
They will run on their platform, choose whatever party they wish. They get elected, do their job, get something done without all of the bickering and deep-seated partisanship they won't have the time for, and then get out.
I can think of nothing else that will end the political corruption in Washington (most of it, anyway) or general apathy (and sometimes derision) toward government. I can think of nothing else that will spur those political employees into action to do something that is in the best interest of their constituents. I can think of nothing else that will make me look at our political system with pride instead of resignation.
I am extremely proud to be an American and proud of our system of checks and balances in our government. I just wish it would run as the American ideal: strong, brave, efficient, audacious and yes, with humor.
Sure, those in Washington now would throw a fit. Sure, those lobbyists in Washington and your state capitals would have heart seizures. Sure, those special interest groups would find there isn't time to 'work' a candidate. And yes, sure, we the people would love it.
And when we thought of all of those lobbyists and career politicians, we would really laugh.
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)I agree with you, Michael, but the problem with your idea of a "one term" limit might be a lack of prospects. Just about every time I vote for president I have to use the "lesser of two evils" method.But, maybe competent folks would step up if they didn't have to go against a political machine like Ted Kennedy.Hmmmmmmmmm..........................
I thought about the lack of prospects and also about the lesser of two evils. What got me is this: we have a lack of prospects now and we now select the lesser of two evils (or so it seems). So, perhaps limiting them to one term would bring out those who truly wish to serve the public (instead of themselves). They would know there isn't any 'game' to be played any longer, that it is all business.Sure, it would be nice. The chances of it happening are slim. Still, one can hope.Thanks for reading and commenting.
Great article as usual Mike--I disagree about having one year term limits--I'd up it a tad to maybe two or three. Where I'm from, right now we are having a major political corruption scandal and the main player in the scandal has been in his position for years, bamboozling his constituents and thinking he is above the law and better than you and I. It looks like he'll be going up the river soon and maybe the time for term limits is...NOW!
I originally had 2 terms as the 'limit', then I realized if you get 2, might as well be 3, then 4, etc. In other words, I was thinking something along the lines of the Olympics, where every four years you can have a complete changing of the guard. Of course, in the Olympics the same person can continue to dominate, but the four-year thing stuck with me. Actually, the 'changing of the guard' thing really stuck with me.Thanks as always for reading and commenting.
Great article. Well done.If I were in charge, corruption would bear a life sentence (sentenced for life) without any change of parole.Here is a motto: bugger us and we'll bugger you.Thanks. The only problem with life sentences for corruption is that no one would be left to make the laws. Lobbyists are the main disease disarming idealism and action in Congress, and yet nothing is done. Every couple of years we hear the words 'reform' thrown around, and it makes big headlines. Then, suddenly, reform goes out the window, along with anything else that would (or could) change the status-quo.Thanks for the comment.
Michael,Great article. Well said and I agree. (You must be from my state of NJ?!) I will never understand why the people in this state keep electing the 'same old' and then complain about our ridiculously high property taxes and the amount of fraud that has happened, is happenening, and will to continue to happen unless there is real change.More of 'We, the people,' need to make our voices heard to show our discontent. I also think though that 2 terms might be necessary. Hard to accomplish as much as you may want to do in 4 years. Certainly, though, a rethinking is in order.Thanks for sharing,NancyYou're right, it is hard to get something done with one term. Yet remember, one term is four years. If you take away all of the vacation time and time-off (remember, Congress only works Tuesday through Thursday, on average, gets six weeks off in Spring and at the end of the summer, and a month off for Christmas), you still have a lot of time to do something.Thanks for reading and commenting.
Mike,Great article. I've been reading Allen Greenspan's autobiography, The Age of Turbulence, and he speaks of the five presidents he served under. There were those like Clinton, believe it or not, who considered long-term policy effects, but others who didn't and were more focused on getting re-elected or their posterity. So I believe what you say has great merit. And we also have to think about the many misinformed who may elect or re-elect the wrong man to office. Wonder how we solve that Bushism? ;=)And as far as the police are concerned, I've also realized over time that they along with firefighters are some of the most giving, sacrificing, honorable protectors of life I've ever met. I actually have built a great love for those who are underpaid and over stressed with often life-threatening challenges who serve their fellow countrymen with great honor.Thanks for the great article.Thanks as always. On my list of Things We Take For Granted is the devotion of the police and firemen and women. I really hated to compare them to the 'distinguished ladies and gentlemen' of Congress, yet I had to in order to make a point. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.Point of note, they treat their own with great respect too. My uncle just died (he was a sergeant or lieutenant, I think) and with the hundreds of police in attendance along with the lights, gun salute, etc. I heard it was quite festive. They deserve as such and more.Agreed. I've watched the lines of police at a funeral procession and it is very awe-inspiring.
"I am extremely proud to be an American and proud of our system of checks and balances in our government. I just wish it would run as the American ideal: strong, brave, efficient, audacious and yes, with humor."
Michael, I feel the same way. A great article. Thanks for sharing your point of view. We have lots to laugh about lately but I'm not sure it's funny or a nervous reaction. Take care!I think it's a combination, something like 'nervous laughter', which we the people are experiencing. Kind of like when we hear a risque joke; we laugh, but we wonder if it's something to really be laughed about.Thanks for reading and commenting, as always.
Michael, well done! I agree 100% and with what everyone else commented on as well. Lets hope and pray, but I somehow doubt it would ever come to pass -- in fact, I can almost see a one man show. yikes! Blessings to you! TeresaI thought about the one person thing and you're right, it is kind of scary. Hopefully we'll remain a democracy (republic). Thanks for reading and commenting.
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