“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”- Term Limit Analysis, by Michael Oreto

Whether you are focused on local, state or national politics, there is one inescapable fact: The politics of re-election, of obtaining and holding power over years and sometimes lifetimes is destroying this country. No matter what you read, hear or see in the political arena, all political statements and positions are shaded by one simple fact: Those in office, those in power want to retain their positions of power and will do almost anything to make that happen. The old adage “Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely” is a truth that nobody will question. But, do we not also understand that any power has a tendency to corrupt?

Once elected to office, even men and women with the best of intentions become enamored with the subtle and not so subtle emotional and oft times monetary satisfaction received from the mantle of power. How many politicians have campaigned on a platform of term limits and promised to stay for only one term? Why would they campaign on that issue if they didn’t recognize the challenge facing entrenched politicians? How many have been elected on that platform and have chosen not to keep that promise? Indeed, how many try to even change existing term limit laws to keep from stepping down?

Can there be any question that it is part of our human nature to want and seek power? It is evident in every aspect of life. From the best intentions of a Father or Mother interacting within their immediate family to the most powerful position in the world the President of the United States. NO ONE IS EXEMPT.

Term limits is the single most important reform need in our political system today. The only real argument I have heard against term limits is that policies and procedures in the political arena are too complicated for a mass of newly elected officials to be effective. I say that is one of the best arguments FOR Term Limits. Much of the policies and procedures of political office is designed so that incumbents have an unfair advantage over the average person interested in public service. Would there be chaos if term limits were the rule instead of the exception? Yes, but it would be the chaos of house cleaning. House cleaning that is long overdue. If a policy of term limits were established, those newly elected public servants would soon strip the convoluted and excessively complicated procedures from the process of governance and get down to the work of representing their constituents and keeping the good of the people in mind when debating the issues.

What of the vast numbers of appointees that may be affected you may ask? What about them? They are public servants too. Those who are effective would be retained and those who are not would be released, because the elected official would not need to build a power base from which to launch a re-election campaign.

Imagine how the man or woman who represents you now would behave if they didn’t have to worry about how their positions and votes on the issues would be perceived by powerful special interests? Those special interests groups who wield such power over our representatives now would lose their leverage, because hard decisions could be made without the specter of “re-election” hanging over their heads. Our representatives would finally feel free to take positions and pass laws for the common good.

Oh, I hear the cries of foul as I type. How dare you assume that my representative, an esteemed politician, is not a person of conscience, a person of integrity? As I have already stated, who among them can say they are not and never have been influenced by the power that comes with elected or appointed office. I say, “Elected officials are there to serve those they represent”. And, that duty cannot be done to the best of their ability if they must take into consideration their own re-election or the re-election of those in their political party.

I am not so naive as to think that term limits is a panacea for all our political problems. It is NOT. But, it is a giant step in the right direction for our country. There are numerous problems and plenty of blame to go around for the shape we are now in. Many examples of sincere and honest caring for the American people exist within our political spectrum. But, they are vastly overshadowed by the callous and self-important behavior of our entrenched politicians. Term limits can give our sometimes weak and always-imperfect politicians the cover they need to DO THE RIGHT THING as framed by those they represent and the American people at large.

I am just a regular person. One who loves this country and it’s citizens. I have watched silent and with a heavy heart as our country has grown weaker and more divided by those who represent us. They have, as a group, failed to instill confidence and trust in a vast majority of the American people. I am not alone in this. What I think and some cash will get you a soft drink at a convenience store. But, after much consideration, I feel I am right about this.

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