TIME FOR CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS

Are you sick and tired of the lack of leadership and responsibility from our congressional representatives? I know I am. It seems as though the major reason things are not getting done in Washington, is the constant need to campaign for office. By the time a congressman's first year is completed, he/she is already running for office again and too afraid to make tough decisions about what is best for the country, because it may affect his/her re-election chances.

The same can be said for senators. By the time they are into the third year of their term, they are raising money and campaigning for re-election. This goes on and on and on. I say it is high time to put these poor creatures out of their misery by instituting term limits for ALL elected and appointed officials.

My recommendation is to limit congressional terms to THREE TWO YEAR TERMS. I would also recommend limiting Senatorial terms TWO SIX YEAR TERMS. After all, our president may serve no more than two four year terms, so why should folks in congress be able to build fiefdoms?

Furthermore, I would prohibit the use of "franking privileges" for candidates in an election year. This clearly gives an incumbent a significant advantage in an election.

Lobbying is another area of concern so I would prohibit ANYONE who has served in ANY capacity in congress (including aides) and anyone who has worked for any branch of government from being able to lobby or in any way attempt to influence officials in any branch of government for a period of three years after leaving his/her position.

We can achieve this through one of two ways. First, elect only candidates who pledge to enact term limits within their FIRST term in office. If they have made no effort to do so, vote them out of office immediately. The second would be through a constitutional amendment through the several states. Yes, we, the citizens of the United States must force our state representatives to vote for a constitutional amendment or face the prospect of a constitutional convention, which our government fears more than terrorists.

And that's what Average Joe thinks.