Why Your Vote Is Important
This is well out of the mainstream for my blog, but Russ Page and Chris Knudsen have hit a nerve. I grew up in the DC suburbs. I was eight years old when Orrin Hatch came to town. Yep - that was 30 years ago. As I much as I like the Hatch family, 30 years in DC (or any political office) is too long (by about 24 years). If you really want an America that has the things that Chris listed, you need to vote them out - both parties.
If you look at American history, you will see that most of the founding fathers made sacrifices to serve in the government - then they went home. Something is wrong when people want to stay in political office for 20, 30, 40 . . . . years. Any longer than 1 term and politicians actually think they belong there. They collect money from special interest groups. They act one way when they are in town and another in DC. If you ever want to see a quick about face, look at Chris Cannon during the last election. The week of the primaries he was running radio ads falsely claiming that he was tough on illegal immigration. The day after the primaries, when asked about illegal immigration, his was response was that the primaries showed that it was not a big deal to Utahns. (Ha, I fooled you again). Now he does not have to be tough on illegal immigration until next year's primary. What a relief.
The way to get our country back is to simply give politicians 4-6 years to get the job done and then come home. Ever wonder why term limits bills go nowhere in Congress. They all think they belong there. Remember Senator Bennett's promise regarding how long he would serve? Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Washington will warp anyone over time. The only hope we have is to elect good people and then throw them out after 4-6 years. Once ploiticians are not worried about raising money for their reelection campaigns they will start dealing with the serious problems that face our country - like the joint train wrecks called social security and the national debt. Who wants to explain to our children that their entire paycheck is going to taxes because our politicians had spend more pork to get votes and dodge social security reform to avoid losing any votes.
The politicians are not totaly to blame. Who would not want a job that gives you free airfare, people all over the country kissing up to you, and the right to only be subject to those laws that you chose to be subject to? I would join the race - but then I would have to look my kids in the face and explain that I maxed out the national credit card and am leaving them to pay the bill.
If you look at American history, you will see that most of the founding fathers made sacrifices to serve in the government - then they went home. Something is wrong when people want to stay in political office for 20, 30, 40 . . . . years. Any longer than 1 term and politicians actually think they belong there. They collect money from special interest groups. They act one way when they are in town and another in DC. If you ever want to see a quick about face, look at Chris Cannon during the last election. The week of the primaries he was running radio ads falsely claiming that he was tough on illegal immigration. The day after the primaries, when asked about illegal immigration, his was response was that the primaries showed that it was not a big deal to Utahns. (Ha, I fooled you again). Now he does not have to be tough on illegal immigration until next year's primary. What a relief.
The way to get our country back is to simply give politicians 4-6 years to get the job done and then come home. Ever wonder why term limits bills go nowhere in Congress. They all think they belong there. Remember Senator Bennett's promise regarding how long he would serve? Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Washington will warp anyone over time. The only hope we have is to elect good people and then throw them out after 4-6 years. Once ploiticians are not worried about raising money for their reelection campaigns they will start dealing with the serious problems that face our country - like the joint train wrecks called social security and the national debt. Who wants to explain to our children that their entire paycheck is going to taxes because our politicians had spend more pork to get votes and dodge social security reform to avoid losing any votes.
The politicians are not totaly to blame. Who would not want a job that gives you free airfare, people all over the country kissing up to you, and the right to only be subject to those laws that you chose to be subject to? I would join the race - but then I would have to look my kids in the face and explain that I maxed out the national credit card and am leaving them to pay the bill.
Great Analysis. I hope we meet up sometime.
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