From: cdm@pmafire.inel.gov (Dale Cook)
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 16:27:40 GMT
Organization: WINCO
Subject: Re: Term limits (was Re: Patsy Schroeder on Term Limits)
Summary: 
Followup-To: 
Organization: WINCO
Keywords: 

In article <1992Nov20.185018.285@hsh.com> paul@hsh.com writes:
>In article <1992Nov19.212555.5049@pmafire.inel.gov>, cdm@pmafire.inel.gov (Dale Cook) writes:
>> I agree, the seniority system has its inequities.  So, let's do something
>> about *that* problem, and not blindly throw out the good reps with the
>> bad.  
>
>Sorry, but "we" don't have squat to say about the insiders-only, 
>behind-closed-door, unanswerable-to-the-public Rules & Regs of Congress. 

Yes "we" do.  It's called a vote.

>"We" have been demanding for years they 
>Do Something about campaign contributions, PACs, equal floor representation,
>and the so-called "ethics" committees that leave the foxes 'guarding' the
>ethical henhouse. If you think they're going to do Thing One to ANY perk that
>helps them get and hold onto their power/perks/incumbency, you haven't a clue. 

Is this the same "We" that continues to elect the career politicians?

Sorry, but if you think term limits are going to solve the problems you
perceive, *you* haven't got a clue.
>
>>>Congressman who gets elected with a 'throw the bums out' mandate finds
>>>himself powerless as a freshman rep.  By the time he has substantial
>>>power, (20 yrs or so) he has lost touch and become a bum himself. 
>> 
>> One of the big concerns of a new rep is to simply figure out the 
>> bureaucracy.  So what term limits *will* accomplish is a creating a
>> continuous crop of new reps who have very little idea how the system
>> operates.  This will, in my opinion, place a great deal of power in the
>> hands of career bureaucrats that isn't there now.  What choice does a
>> newbie rep have but to rely on the advice and experience of the permanent
>> staff?
>
>Sorry, but that isn't the case.  Congressional staffers (and PACs, too) are
>100% AGAINST term limits.  If this coterie really thought they would end up
>running things, don't you think they'd ENDORSE term limits? 

Whether they're for it or not does not change the end result.  They're
undoubtably happy with the status quo.  Do you honestly think they're 
going to throw up their hands and run home in defeat if term limits are
imposed?  Guess again.  Catch another clue.  They'll figure out how to
work the new system, and we'll be back to at best square one.

Look.  I'm not saying term limits are going to ruin the country.  I'm
saying they're a red herring, and will simply push the day of reckoning
with the real problems further down the road.  So go ahead, spend your
energy chasing your holy grail.  Don't be too disappointed when nothing
substantial changes, though.
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...Dale Cook    "I don't much care how a man prays -- there's plenty of
                 room in hell for all of us."  --- "Mad Jack" Duncan
The opinions are mine only (i.e., they are NOT my employer's)
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