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The Neverending Gravy Train

By Pat Racimora on October 16, 2009 at 12:00 PM in Congress (House & Senate), Current Affairs

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I used to be against term limits. I thought the more experienced members of Congress would better understand our needs. But over the last few years it appears that instead they have become insulated from the people they are supposed to care about and represent.

Now the main motivation appears to be to just hang on to their jobs forever. That also means remaining beholden to the party bosses lest they miss out on funding from the DSCC and the DCCC—the holders of the big purse strings.

So, what to do?

Solution #1: Term limits. These candidates would understand from the beginning that they will never be permanent Washington fixtures. They might either interrupt a career that they would likely be welcomed back into (maybe not the same employer, depending) or maybe end the old career and retire after their service. Maybe then we would attract more people who are not motivated solely by power and a perpetual meal ticket.

Notice my toon gives three 3-year terms to members of the House of Representatives. I think two-year terms are silly. It means that our Reps have to campaign full time. No wonder they make such uninformed decisions.

But, sigh… The very individuals who would vote this in are the ones who don’t want it.

Solution #2: The successful emergence of a third party. I imagine the timing has never been better for some strong and proven leader with common sense and more centrist views to attract many millions of followers. We almost had it with Ross Perot in the 90s, but he was too much of an arrogant goofball to make it happen. (His interview with Diane Sawyer pretty much did him in.)

And is there such a person? Hard to find one. Who?

Solution #3: No Majorities. Not as desirable, perhaps, is making sure that no one political party has control of the House, Senate, and Presidency. That would mean that a lot of us Democrats will have to vote Republican in 2010. It could happen since the current executive and congressional branch, all aligned now, are hardly living up to any great expectations. They seem as scattered and ineffective as the previous administration.

Solution #4: Snoozing! What inspired my toon idea was the video below. What if we could put Congress into a deep sleep so they couldn’t do anything. It’s risky (unless Obama dozes off with them), but I sometimes feel we would be better off if the individual states just did their own thing without the feds screwing us up more.

Maybe this guy could do that job? (Do watch—very cute.)

Any other solutions?