Maybe this post will purge the frustration that I have been consumed with so that I can think clearly and feel deeply enough to write about my experiences, about my faith, family, and friends; from the heart and not from my boiling blood. So this blog can be back to an expression of the things that are near and dear to me...
If you are sick and tired of seeing political rants on usually family-oriented blogs, feel free to skip this post. And the post below this one too, if you haven't read it yet.
But if you are feeling the way I am about the stupidity, crimes, and dare I say - the treasons - that are taking place in the crazy town we call Washington, DC, then by all means, please read on.
Because I think that someone has a good idea here.
I recently found this awesome website NetRightNation. It is filled with up to the minute analysis on the shenanigans that are happens in and about the White House.
(Every conservative and independent with a blog should have this site on their sidebar to follow what is happening out there. Because your network news won't tell you, and Fox News isn't, well, a legitimate news source.
Yeah, right.
They sometimes tick me off with the amount of time they give the Democratic opinion. Which is equal to or exceeds the time they give the Republican opinion on any given political subject... ...of course, I am not talking about Beck, Hannity, or any of those other guys here. Those are strictly talk shows. But you knew that, right? You are all smart cookies out there, I know).
Written by Adam Bitely
Thursday, 22 October 2009 16:50
From today's episode of Jim DeMint's podcast (which will be coming out soon):
Thursday, 22 October 2009 16:50
From today's episode of Jim DeMint's podcast (which will be coming out soon):
Hello again. I'm Senator Jim DeMint, and this is Freedomcast for October 22, 2009.
You know, the longer I stay in Washington, the more I have come to realize that the problem in the federal government isn't just the people... it's the process.
The system itself is so much more powerful than either party or interest group, let alone one president or congressional leader.
In Washington, the rules of the game are rigged -- in favor of bigger government, higher taxes, more debt, and the time-honored system of political back-scratching of "go along to get along."
Fifteen years ago, Republicans -- who had been out of power in Congress for forty years – made term limits a centerpiece of their “Contract with America” agenda.
The term limits constitutional amendment ultimately failed, in part because so many new reform-minded congressmen imposed term limits on themselves. After six or eight years, these members voluntarily went home, leaving behind those Republicans and Democrats who fully intended to make a career inside the beltway.
The fact is, party doesn’t matter when it comes to reform. If you want to change the policies, you have to change the process.
That’s why in the next few weeks I will introduce a new constitutional amendment to limit members of the House of Representatives to three terms (which is six years), and members of the Senate to two terms (which is twelve years).
As long as members have the chance to spend their lives in Washington, their interests will always skew toward fundraising, relationship building among lobbyists, and trading favors for pork – in short, amassing their own power.
Since all that power is going to disappear in a few years, anyway, term-limited legislators will be far less likely to make compromises with the system.
Opponents of term limits say that the nation needs wise and seasoned leaders to lead the nation through crises and find consensus on difficult issues.
Well, that’s exactly what we’ve got now… How do you think it’s working out for us?
It wasn’t the “people” who gave us a 12-trillion dollar debt, trillion-dollar deficits, 100-trillion-dollar long term shortfall in Social Security and Medicare, the Wall Street and auto bailouts, and the health care takeover.
It was those wise and seasoned leaders, who enjoy lives of privilege almost wholly immune from the consequences of their policy failures.
Term limits are not enough, of course. I hope my amendment will eventually be ratified, and then followed by other structural reforms to make our public institutions more transparent and accountable.
But term limits are a good start. Because if we really want reform, we all know it’s not enough just to change the congressmen – we have to change Congress itself.
The system itself is so much more powerful than either party or interest group, let alone one president or congressional leader.
In Washington, the rules of the game are rigged -- in favor of bigger government, higher taxes, more debt, and the time-honored system of political back-scratching of "go along to get along."
Fifteen years ago, Republicans -- who had been out of power in Congress for forty years – made term limits a centerpiece of their “Contract with America” agenda.
The term limits constitutional amendment ultimately failed, in part because so many new reform-minded congressmen imposed term limits on themselves. After six or eight years, these members voluntarily went home, leaving behind those Republicans and Democrats who fully intended to make a career inside the beltway.
The fact is, party doesn’t matter when it comes to reform. If you want to change the policies, you have to change the process.
That’s why in the next few weeks I will introduce a new constitutional amendment to limit members of the House of Representatives to three terms (which is six years), and members of the Senate to two terms (which is twelve years).
As long as members have the chance to spend their lives in Washington, their interests will always skew toward fundraising, relationship building among lobbyists, and trading favors for pork – in short, amassing their own power.
Since all that power is going to disappear in a few years, anyway, term-limited legislators will be far less likely to make compromises with the system.Opponents of term limits say that the nation needs wise and seasoned leaders to lead the nation through crises and find consensus on difficult issues.
Well, that’s exactly what we’ve got now… How do you think it’s working out for us?
It wasn’t the “people” who gave us a 12-trillion dollar debt, trillion-dollar deficits, 100-trillion-dollar long term shortfall in Social Security and Medicare, the Wall Street and auto bailouts, and the health care takeover.
It was those wise and seasoned leaders, who enjoy lives of privilege almost wholly immune from the consequences of their policy failures.
Term limits are not enough, of course. I hope my amendment will eventually be ratified, and then followed by other structural reforms to make our public institutions more transparent and accountable.
But term limits are a good start. Because if we really want reform, we all know it’s not enough just to change the congressmen – we have to change Congress itself.
I think Jim DeMint is brilliant - and he has integrity - but do you think it will work?
(Keep in mind - I can deal with opposing viewpoints. Rudeness I don't deal with so well...)
Jim DeMint restates his position here...
.JPG)
6 comments:
Exellent! My sister is the District Director for a US Congressman (who I won't name because I don't want my comment coming up in a google alert).
They've been working on lots of reform-oriented issues- especially with the process of 'earmarks'. I'm glad to hear that he is pursuing this even though the party in power will likely kill it.
ahhh, you are a brave girl to post political....
it's really pretty fun- and in my opinion makes a site far more interesting.
do i think it will work?
like he says, i feel it a good start.
yes, i do. it will help, for sure.
I feel that term limits are always a good thing. Egos tend to build as tenure builds, which can lead to abuses of power. I hope this does work for the Senator, and for all of us. Do I actually think it will? Who knows... we'll just have to wait and see!
I love when you get all politcal and stuff.
Voices need to be heard, words need to be written and posts need to be blogged. Too many people are sticking their heads in the sand.
Great post and I so agree with term limits. I think that many have gone to DC with the best of intentions but it's too easy to be swayed with all the "power" and it's easy to see corruption sneak in.
Keep the educated politic talk coming when you feel it necessary.....
xoxox
I think two terms should be required: one term in Congress, and the second term in prison to make up for the first term!
rick has got it figured out!
Post a Comment