Lately, the amount I have been learning about the reality of the U.S. Government opens my eyes to the steaming load of ignorance that the people hold over their heads. For example, let's take a look at term limits. 1992, Americans in 18 states took the initiative to kick their senior-most members of the State legislators out of office on the basis that they have served too long. We need fresh blood! We need fairness in the elections! We need congressmen that will follow their consituencies' opinions! No more seniority system! We need congressmen who don't merely focus on reelection! We're sick of this stagnant government! Oh, but how ignorant is the population? Obviously, on the outside, these reasons seem wonderful. Who wouldn't want to put term limits on crusty, money-grubbing, old men? However, in the general population, who can honestly say that they understand the concept of "institutional memory" or the "shell game" or even "lobbyists"? These three reasons are hidden behind the overwhelming superficial reasons for term limits.
First of all, one of the main reasons for instituting term limits is to democratize the legislative process. It is not fair that incumbents get all the benefits in Congress and only focus on getting reelected in the next two years. Yes, it is true that incumbents focus on getting reelected, but can a person honestly say that they can pass a bill through a bicameral legislature within those two years? The answer is no. There is this term I learned recently called "institutional memory". This explains why incumbents should and will be reelected. They retain the information their constituencies want, the experience they gained from the last two years of legislating, and how to push bills harder. Experience is the key to the door of legislating. If term limits are involved, the members who have been fighting for years of tax reductions for their districts are immediatly ousted and some amateur senator/representative is brought in and expecting to pick up this sick game. In addition, this is my favorite, not many people pick up on this one. Take a look at Michigan's mighty representative, John Dingell. Yes, he is not the most conventional democrat, but his massive amount of years in the U.S. House has taught him that sometimes his ideological beliefs must be put aside for the sake of his constituencies. An avid fighter for auto companies, Dingell's experience in the House has increased his ability to push legislation through fast and efficiently. Newer congressmen have a hard time doing this because their partisanship condemns them to follow their party in order to get onto a particular committee. Without the experience, they cannot overcome the ranking members of their party and achieve what their consituencies need.
Not only are term limits hindering to the legislative process, but does the public honestly think that imposing limits is actually going to get a person who has campaigned and studied politics for years to just get up and leave? I don't think so. The 'shell game', if you will, explains the fact that congressmen whose term is up just campaign for another office. The general public is so used to seeing the name of a particular individual, they never notice that his/her name is on another spot on the ballot! Incumbents take their knowledge and run for another office, that's it.
Finally, those annoying lobbyists, always popping up... Who do you think amateur congressmen look to for guidance and instruction? Yes! That's right! More experienced congressmen. Now, take away these individuals. Who is left with the ginormous amount of information these new amateur congressmen need? Wow, you are amazing! Lobbyists, correct! Newer members will turn to lobbyists, and of course, not knowing better will follow them heart-to-heart. This creates a disproportionate representation of lobbyists and we all know what that leads to! Woah! You're right: HYPERPLURALISM! POLICY GRIDLOCK and yep! You guessed it, stagnant government!
Way to go states! Term limits have actually worsened the problem they sought to discontinue. 18 states are reconsidering their term limits as of 2002. Right now, 6 states have nullified their term limits.
I really wish that there was a way to get the American public to look into the whole subject affecting them. Unfortunately, as we all know, the media is disproportionately manufactured to represent sensational stories. Never to delve into a whole story because that would take longer than the average American attention-span.
I really hope someone gets something out of this post, it took me an hour to concoct. :)
People do not know what they want.
They do know that they are not getting it from the government at present. Thus term limits became a fad, and Obama is winning on a platform of 'change' despite almost identical positions.
A Fact is Always Better Than an Ideal.
All Democrats are equal with very small differences. I can't believe how long this race has been going. Normally it finishes after Super Tuesday. They're creating rifts in voters between the two, and this will create a huge problem (especially for McCain) when the gen. election comes around.
Of this closely contested primary as the underdog. He gains more from every article about the race with the better known Hillary.
McCain has plenty of history that conservative Republicans don't like. If Obama plays up individual liberty issues he might just win a landslide.
A Fact is Always Better Than an Ideal.
I really like this blog. Honestly I had no idea how term limits in congress came about, and I don't think I should be held responsible because I was 8-9 when this happened. I do understand the concept of lobbyists however, and I think they are mostly evil.
Though I try to remain optimistic, I don't think there is a way to get the majority of Americans to pay attention to their own political well-being. You would have to introduce it with flashy lights and bright music coupled with fist fights and make sure there was absolutely no reading or independent thought involved. It would also have to be condensed into a half hour or hour long show jam packed with non-stop action and catchy commercials. Let's face it, hardly anyone watches government access channels.
As I get older, I increasingly believe that the only way to learn is through experience. The latest generations of Americans haven't really had to fight for their rights because their forefathers have done it for them. Consequently, they only think about 'me me me' as they charge everything to their credit cards while texting on their cellphones. The sad reality is that mounting debt and keeping up with the Joneses and the next American Idol matter more to most Americans than voting. And all the while their Constitutional rights are falling like trees in the forest that won't make a sound because there is no one around to hear them.
And that is the honest truth.
"I do understand the concept of lobbyists however, and I think they are mostly evil."
lobbyists do tend to be one dimentional in that they have a issue they have one side of and that is their mission. It is a little harder to call them evil because they exist on both sides of every controversy albeit more strongly on the side with the most money.
Compared to political parties that try to have a position on every issue, and thus reveal that power is all they really have any interest in, lobbyists are purely benign.
A Fact is Always Better Than an Ideal.
I agree. I'd be more likely to be represented by an interest group. However, I think that single-interest groups are more successful in getting their policies heard for obvious reasons.
Oh, the self-interest axiom. The whole government is run by people who feel they should represent themselves. However, interest groups are the key to democracy right now, I think. Especially with the everexpanding federal government. With the more open doors to government, the more we need groups to represent our own individual interests.