Very few Americans understand what exactly is wrong with Washington politics. Yes, politics is always messy in a democracy such as ours and even worse than similar democracies because of our diversity. But we have to deal with what we have.
The basic premise is that government needs to be lead by a philosopher-king. Well, we all know that, but also know that's not going to happen. Next down the line, is a benevolent dictator. Sure, but how to select and insure his or her behavior. With that much power, we would be like Russia is today, much more corrupt than our level of corruption. Next would be senior statesmen with proven good deeds. We thought maybe Gov. Daniels of Indiana was going to be the GOP nominee for awhile, but he decided his family came first. Not exactly the ancient Greek standard, Mitch!
We have heard of the idea term limits before but the usual version is for a limit of two terms. What does that accomplish? The Congress spends 1/3 of its time tending to things that get them re-elected. They accept money for favors. They say that's not true, but we are all grown up boys and girls here.
I am not going to list the things that are wrong with our form of picking Congressmen here and now, it is a very long list; it should be here eventually, so that the great unwashed, excuse me, I mean the great uninformed, can read it.
Lets get to the main idea:
If and when Congress is served by those over age 55 we will observe that they are there because we choose them, first of all, because they will not be wasting good time running for office. Never again. They will not leave Congress for jobs in business, banking, industry, and lobbies for same. They will not earn money as consultants. They will be for our purposes, retired to private citizenship. They will not have to gather millions of dollars as life-long Senators such as Harry Reid. This will go along way to getting rid of corruption in the system, if not the people, and this should get us better legislation. If it doesn't we will have a whole new contingent to put in, in 4-6 years, those with more of what we need. We will not have to contend with the power of incumbency.
The second major advantage is that those that are going to serve are doing it for the right reasons. They want to serve, not have a career and make millions of dollars. Think of these folks as wise elders. If we pick them right, they will be. There will be no reason to have to pick from those running from a career in government. A background of wealth and freedom to do what they wish in the future, e.g. Forbes and Bloomberg. I am not disparaging those two nice gentlemen, I am just saying, they had a easier road ahead of them because wealth makes connections like nothing else. Ask Mitt Romney. No, these are people who are looking forward to retirement-in 4-6 years. Notice, there will be no need to have Congress made up of 90% attorneys. Why is that the case? Good judgment is not dependent on knowing the law. It is shown by a life time of results. Tell us your experience and ideas, we will decide if you have the right stuff.
This is just the basic idea. The problems with it can be explained, I believe, by some additional explanations of changes to existing laws and procedures. E.g. the new Congress will have to spend 2-3 months of learning how the process works. The Congressmen will need a larger staff to help with technicalities in the process. Things like that.
Please respond if you have some additional input points to bring out for the audience. This will need some fleshing out. Please don't respond if you are not going to be helpful. This proposed change go a long way to improving our democracy.
and just think, if and when we get to be a sizable PAC, Congress will actually start to make changes in this direction. So they can keep their careers going and the hoped for accumulated benefits.
There is the possibility that we will change all that.
Bligh
N.B. Become a member so the movement can grow. But, be sure to respond with your comments.
I need feedback. Statesmanship will not develop on its own. We need to do this instead. Even the push by us will cause some changes.
