Term Limits: A Nation Governed by Fossils

First, a couple of definitions:

Living Fossil: an organism (as a horseshoe crab or a ginkgo tree) that has remained essentially unchanged from earlier geologic times and whose close relatives are usually extinct (Merriam-Webster).  


Politician: a person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons (Merriam-Webster). <-----actual definition option.


How they each apply, after the break...


I have a theory and I wonder if I am alone in this, or perhaps if it has merit.  I have a ginormous, gargantuan problem with the lack of term limits in the House of Representatives and Senate.  Below is a list of 9 career politicians.  Sure, I am picking on the Democrats here, but I did include the late Strom Thurmond and the late Ted Stevens for "balance." 

• Robert Byrd - 51 years
• Strom Thurmond - 49 years
• Charles Rangel - 39 years
• Ted Stevens - 38 years
• Barney Frank - 29 years
• John Kerry - 25 years
• Nancy Pelosi - 23 years 
• Joe Lieberman - 21 years
• Dianne Feinstein - 17 years

What each of these people has in common is that they are or were polarizing while they siphoned off of the US Taxpayer served the American people.  They also repped or served for far too long, or are in the process of doing so as you read this.  I am in the camp of "the perks are too great" in Washington, D.C. and we DESPERATELY need servants hearts to help right the ship of America.  Consider this:  Of the total U.S. work force of 124 million people, only 6 percent are lawyers. Yet 45 percent of the members of Congress are lawyers (scholastic.com).  I am not suggesting that all attorneys are ill-willed, nothing could be further from the truth.  However, the historical notes of various law firms bilking their clients by overcharging them based on the amounts of hours actually worked on their cases is commonplace.  Simply google (congrats to Google for becoming a verb) "law firms overbilling" and you will be treated to a plethora of charges, claims, and settlements.  We are kidding ourselves if we are not expecting this level of waste and deception to not occupy the halls of the US Congress.   Moreover, will the sheeple of various districts and states mindlessly return to office these career politicians because "they do not know anyone else?"  In a word, yes.  And that, my friends, is the problem.  This line of thinking reminds me of the below average Eddie Murphy film, The Distinguished Gentleman.  In the film, Murphy's character Jeff Johnson is elected because it is "the name you know."  I think most of us do the same thing, mindlessly voting for this guy or that guy without truly knowing and understanding what the candidate actually stands for and believes in.  I mean, how else could Barney Frank et al. continue their charade of service? 

The president can only serve two terms.  Most states limit the term of their governors.  Yet, when the president appoints a Justice to the Supreme Court, that appointment is for life.  I've never truly understood this.  How is it good for the nation to have a bunch of fossils interpreting law?  It should be noted that the SCJ's have come under increased scrutiny of late in regards to legislating from the bench.  In light of this and a litany of other factoids, is this a good policy?  Do we want 88 year old SCJ's interpreting and legislating for this nation?  Generally speaking, a SCJ may not be able to drive himself to the Court, but he can certainly loiter on the Bench until he sees fit to step down or society travels by jet propulsion packs, whichever comes first. 

Personally, term limits might be the best vehicle for the public to be protected from themselves.  It would prevent the ideological sludge which inhibits progress in this great nation of ours.  Some argue that if term limits were imposed as I have suggested, that we would deter some people from pursuing a career in politics.  Guess what:  that would be freaking fine.  The salaries are too high, the power too great, and the money/power grab is what drives most.  Nearly 2/3 of our members of the House are millionaires.  How are they representing the average American?  I'll tell you:  they are not.  They are out of touch with their constituencies.  Clueless comes to mind.  I've learned that politicians are great at spending other people's money, packing bills full of pork (special clauses for their backers' industries or hometowns they represent in exchange for their vote on a completely different matter, yet part of the same bill), and stuffing their pockets full of cash while in office.  Members of Congress should return to the state they represent while Congress is in recess and work a typical job, similar to Undercover Boss on CBS.  For, if they never immerse themselves into the real world back home, how the hell can they effectively perform their duties in D.C.?

Lastly, if you disagree with me here, that is fine.  However, it should be noted that the current job approval rating for Congress is a paltry 23.6%.  An overwhelming 70% of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is currently doing.  Nothing changes if we keep doing it the same way over and over again.  Mr. President, indeed, it is time for change.