Your vote = term limits!
Bob Bogart
* * *
Mr. Bogart,
Yes, our votes can equal term limits, but how diligent are we at voting incumbents out? Perhaps we are highly satisfied citizens, because we keep electing the same cast of characters over and over again.
The longer a person is in office the more time they have to build a power base. They fine tune favor-donor swap networks. Unfortunately, that system runs counterintuitive to focusing on the needs of most non-connected citizens. Take time to cross reference donations to legislative actions and you will find numerous laws passed to grant special status for tiny groups of individuals or specific commercial entities. By default, granting special favors, un-levels the playing field for the non-special who aren't politically connected.
If an elected official people has good character, works hard and makes good choices perhaps they deserve a second term. Let them have another term. However, we bring both the good and sorry candidates term after term. Think back on all the truly outstanding elected officials that have remained in office term after term after term. Say their names and ponder the accomplishments that justified 12-30 years in the same office. Go ahead and name the glowing accomplishments. Take your time. Don't rush. What? Are you having a senior moment or drawing blanks on the accomplishment list because there weren't any?
Folks, after a person is elected they become like a toothpaste brand. We tend to buy the toothpaste brand we bought last month and all the other months before. Likewise, we vote the same people back in again and again without actually considering what they accomplished. News flash: Gum flapping, in front of a TV camera, is not an accomplishment.
For many elected offices, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of talented people who have the potential to serve the public with distinction. Unfortunately, most of the good folks won't run against an incumbent, because they think the odds too great. Sadly, they are usually correct. This is one reason why marginal incumbents run unopposed. Consider those times when an incumbent chose not to run. The field of candidates for the non-incumbent election is usually larger than average and it's no accident.
We need to promote elected office turnovers by enacting term limits for local, state and federal offices, because self important incumbents have enormous difficulty stepping away from a microphone. Yes, term limits would move a few good people out of office after two terms, but it's an acceptable downside. Let's consider limiting terms to no more than six continuous years in the same office for two-year terms or two terms for terms for those lasting four years each.
Cleaning is therapeutic. Teeth, armpits, navels, auto oil, trash cans, septic tanks and public offices need regular cleansing. Not surprisingly incumbents, their cronies and special interest groups will strongly disagree.
Deborah Scott
Chattanooga