Your Government...My View 9/4/08

By: Ernie Padgett
Several years ago, Florida voters passed a term limit amendment for state senators and representatives. The result is these elected officials can serve no more than ten years in the same position. The Governor is limited to two four year terms.
Term limits certainly have some short comings that can be effectively argued. Nevertheless, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Because of the increasing influence of big money and the gerrymandering of districts by the party in power at the time of redistricting, term limits are necessary. Huge amounts of money made available to incumbents coupled with district lines drawn for the specific purpose of keeping them in office, makes it extremely difficult for a challenger to win an election.
Government needs new blood and a fresh approach to the many issues that have to be addressed. When we have a group of office holders who know how to play the money game, citizens suffer.
A person should serve in public office for a few years and then return to their private life allowing continuous new talent the opportunity to serve. The Federal government is where term limits are needed more than ever. Have you ever wondered why 95% of U.S. Senators and Representatives are re-elected at the same time that the approval rating of the United States Congress is less than 25%? Imagine, three out of every four Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing. Think about it.
Our founding fathers never envisioned career politicians. Presidents Washington and Jefferson longed to get back to their private lives after serving their country for a few years.
We have long serving members of Congress who have mastered the art of catering to various special interests groups in order to stay in office.
They know where the majority of their campaign funds come from. It’s sad but true, that money buys access to our representatives in Congress.
Our current Congress is starting to be labeled the "do nothing" Congress. As a whole, they avoid dealing with the hard issues. They have figured it out….doing nothing helps to keep them in office. Congress is failing to address the many challenges facing our nation, such as energy, social security, medicare for the elderly, health care issues, failure to balance the Federal budget, aging infrastructure in dire need of attention, crime, appropriate funding of public education. Congressional members are very effective when they go home to their districts. They speak to local civic clubs and groups, shake a few hands and tell you how hard they have been working for you. Wrong! They are members of the elite "do nothing" Congress.
Term limits are certainly not the cure all, but things would improve because of the new talent that would come to the halls of Congress. Wouldn’t it be good if elected federal officials served for a few years and then went home and earned a living like everyone else does?