The Legislative Branch has become totally ineffective, riddled with self-serving policy and law stalemates, as well as money-grubbing lobbyist strongholds. it makes no difference what the policy is to be passed - if drafted by Republicans, Democrats won't vote it in, and if drafted by Dems, the Reps pass it by. No way either will endorse something that might give the other kudos! Not to mention that if there is an important policy that all agree on, other pork or hidden agenda items are tacked to it so they are pushed through as well.
These long-term fat cat (mostly) lawyers and their lobbyist sidekicks need OUT of public office. Off the government dole and away from what they say is in our best interest. The only way to effectively change that is to impose term limits on the Senate and House, just like for the President.
There have been campaigns waged by voters to oust an incumbent. But two years later the tides have changed and impressionable voters go with whatever party hasn't made them angry lately. Congress itself will never vote in term limits. They're not about to pull the plug on the gravy train they are riding. We must work to get term limits written on every ballot for every elected office in the country. Four 2-yr terms! No more! No palm-greasing. No more using America as a platform for personal agendas. With few exceptions, these public servants should be ashamed of themselves! No more campaigning (politicking) (lying) that they will make things better!
Term limits will put the legislative job back in control of America - back where a broader spectrum of Americans can work to make a difference in public service. Which brings me to the next area that must be reformed... campaign spending. Most normal Americans wouldn't have a chance of being elected without huge special interest dollars (PAC money) endorsing them. The step from city council to senate is paved with campaign dollars. How ludicrous that $millions are spent on ads, flyers, signs and other promos to convince someone to vote for the perfect candidate. John Mayer said "Is there anyone who ever remembers changing their mind from the paint on a sign?" (Belief). The money spent on junk mail, TV slash ads, signs stuck in vacant lots and more could have gone so far at shelters, to aid those with no money for health care, to pay off the National debt! What a waste. I like to say I won't vote for anyone who litters the sides of the road with those "vote for me" signs. But in reality, I'd not be able to vote at all!
Wouldn't it be great if the measure of a candidate was based on his track record in service to the public - funding a park or a library or a school activity? A demonstration of the commitment to the American people? Maybe the media, in its amazing ability to spin a story, could take up reporting the amounts spent on campaigning as a bad thing rather than boasting the opulence. We - the people - should place our donations into more responsible hands. The fact of the matter is, however, that public donations are but a drop in the bucket of the overall campaign budget. Corporations and lobbyists find ways to pay off politicians to sway votes in their favor. That shouldn't surprise you. It's been going on for a long time...and if we do nothing to stop it, nothing will change.
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