“The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.” George Washington
"I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office." Andrew Jackson
"A President's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right." Lyndon B. Johnson
"Any change is resisted because bureaucrats have a vested interest in the chaos in which they exist." Richard M. Nixon
"The President of the United States should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves his country best." Rutherford B Hayes
11 comments:
I think after this health care shit show, there should be a national referendum on implementing term limits on these guys once and for all. It's the only way to bust up their perpetual power monopoly. This latest round proves its more important than ever. The sit there election cycle after election cycle, flicking their teeny clits, waiting for the chance to shine and when that chance comes, they trip over the microphone cord. Fucking chumps.
Another quote for the ages:
Only you and I aren't knaves....and I'm not so sure about you.
--ricpic
Term limits is a great idea. But it will never happen unless it is a constitutional amendment. That is the only way.
I don't know about term limits. I've read analysis saying it would make the deep state even more powerful than now.
Only if the new people don't fire the bureaucrats. We need to put term limits for the departments as well. End Civil Service. It is a rip off.
Turn over is great. Get new people in there to run things. Period.
The Nixon quote is especially apt.
Lem said...
I don't know about term limits. I've read analysis saying it would make the deep state even more powerful than now.
Did that happen with the Presidency? Granted, machines will still exist, but it's going to be a lot easier to effect change if you don't have calcified, corrupt fossils like Teddy Kennedy sitting in Congress for 50 years.
PS Troop is right on Civil Service. It's how the political operators stay in DC for decades.
Well, shit. Speaking of term limits I just got trapped by a politician.
I was expecting my coffee buddy to come over this afternoon for our usual gossip fest and sports chat. Shortly after I had laid down for a quick nap the doorbell rang and so I jmped up and went to the door ready to get on his ass for not calling ahead of time, but when I jerked opened the door there was my fucking alderman. It caught me by surprise.
I'm in my lounge wear, a weekends worth of beard, and my bedhead unadjusted (things are pretty casual with the buddy). It was a little embarrassing. I generally try to clean up before meeting company. I listened to a short speech, told him I was on his side, made a mention of the occasional gunfire coming from the East then hurried him on his way.
By the end of our brief interaction I did feel better about my social faux pas. He was pretty garlicky even from across the doorstoop. That puts me one up on him and gives me a feeling of superiority even if I looked like a street person.
It could have been worse. As I approached the door I was ready to shout humorous obscenities through the door at the buddy when it occurred to me that I hadn't heard his car pull up. I held it in, thank goodness.
Lem said...
I don't know about term limits. I've read analysis saying it would make the deep state even more powerful than now.
I don't see how that's possible considering you aren't around long enough to become that entrenched in a deep state. Look, if our presidents are term limited, then why not our representatives and senators? How about judges. No more lifetime appointments. Make it a constitutional amendment. Put it in front of the public and I'll bet you it can happen, but as long as people shit on the idea, then it won't.
The argument against term limits is that the people you elect will be the least experienced people in the government, and will be controlled by the entrenched bureaucrats. There is something to that, but having entrenched bureaucrats AND entrenched representative isn't better.
My understanding is bag's description is true in California. Their Assembly is limited to three terms (6 years total) and the Senate to two terms (8 years total). Their Deep State runs the show.
My idea is to limit the eligibility to run for Federal office (aside from President) to 20 years served. We can retire military, cops, and firefighters at 20, why not the Fed Legislature?
This way, a Rep could serve 9 terms in the House and one in the Senate, but couldn't run for either office after serving 10 terms in the House. A Senator could serve 4 terms if he/she/it never served in the House.
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