Term Limits – Two Terms for Senators, Three for Representatives

Power corrupts; and politicians who put their desire to be elected ahead of the interests of the people exemplify corruption.  Our founding fathers envisioned a government led by “citizen legislators,” people who would take time out of their lives to serve the people of the United States and then get back to their lives.  Today, we have career politicians.

Career politicians abuse their power in voting huge pay increases, lavish benefits, and plush retirements for themselves.  They pass biased election and campaign finance laws that protect the two-party system against the rise of a powerful third party, making it easier for them to be re-elected.  They use taxpayer funds to further their candidacies through pork, or earmark, spending and “franking” privileges.  They use their power to pass legislation favorable to special interest groups who contribute to their campaigns.  No wonder incumbents have a 95% probability of being re-elected.  Power corrupts.

Term limits will break a career politician’s grip on power, which is why I will support them.  I will support a two-consecutive-term limit for senators and a three-consecutive-term limit for representatives.  This will help limit corruption and promote more competition in elections, giving people better choices.  This also will help bring an end to elitisim within the political class. 

Special Interest Influence

Our society is based upon individual rights and equality.  Our Constitution protects individual rights, not group rights.  Our representatives are elected by and represent individuals, not groups or special interests.  Political contributions from Political Action Committees (PACs) and other organizations should be prohibited.  Allowing contributions to candidates and political parties only from individuals will force elected representatives to get closer to the people they represent and control the influence of special interests.