Excerpt From Outhouse Logic
Getting Re-Elected - Constitutional
Ammendment
Getting elected to state or national office requires a ton of
money, usually some name recognition, the ability to relate to
people and sometimes a little outhouse tipping. The need for
money starts the so-called "corruption" process. The
politicians who gets elected naturally feel beholden to those
who donated money, to vote for the interests of the Political
Action Committee that gave them money, especially if they want
to serve more than one term. Senator John McCain spoke of this
when he said, "As a body, the Congress has been co-opted
by the special interests …"
The current office holder has a definite advantage in the next
election because of name recognition. Thus he has an advantage
in raising funds for re-election. The incumbent has another huge
advantage that is seldom noticed or voiced. He has had time in
office to spend our tax money to make it easier to get re-elected.
Pork for everyone. Universal fixes for select issues. The root
cause of the problem - politicians trying to get re-elected.
Show the Biffy Tippers of America a politician who can say
"No!" They are usually focused on how to spend our
tax money in order to please the most people, most of the time
in order to get re-elected. Contrary to common belief, most politicians
aren't crooked. But something strange happens to very nice, logical
and well meaning people when they get elected to office. It is
with the best of intentions that they want to get re-elected.
They feel very strongly that they can do a much better job for
the public than their opponents. If it means voting for some
projects that aren't cost effective (read Feel Good) or aren't
needed (read Pork), that's okay. It is okay because they are
convinced that their total voice and vote will improve our lives.
Most are not corrupt - they are egotists - and honestly believe
that they are the better choice. The larger the government entity
the worse the problem. When all the other politicians are getting
things for their state or district, they must fight for "their
share." They come home at breaks or at election time and
tell us about all the wonderful things they have done to "help
us." They spend our tax money to send us letters telling
us all the nice things they're doing for us. "Investment"
from Washington or the state house. Isn't it wonderful, just
wonderful! Just like a four-hole brick privy.
Philip M Crane, Ph.D., teacher, author and Member of Congress
said. "... let me examine a few generally accepted assumptions
held today in Washington … First is the disposition to treat
problems as crises; second is the notion that government, particularly
the national government, has the answers to all our dilemmas;
third is that the mere allocation and spending of money will
eliminate these problems ...."
All the above are poor assumptions according to the National
Association of Outhouse Owners. Why do politicians ignore common
sense? Politicians who want to get re-elected practice the world's
oldest profession. Politicians from both parties do it. It is
institutional. Spending goes up, taxes go up, the bureaucracies
grow and the incumbents get re-elected. Mortimer Zuckerman, Editor
in Chief of the US News and World Report summed it up when he
wrote, "Our politicians are so focused on the next election
they don't seem to care about the next generation."
So it sounds like outhouse tippers want term limits. Not
exactly! However, a ONE TERM LIMIT would be a huge step toward
responsible politics. What might be the result of a one term
limit? Outhouse owners believe, if politicians can't be
re-elected:
1. They would be much more prone to ask if legislation is
best for the American people in the long run. They would be more
likely to vote in the best long-range benefit for the country
rather than what it takes to get re-elected. More statesmanship,
less politics.
2. They might vote their conscious instead of what some poll
says, which is what "representative government" is
supposed to be about.
3. They would be less likely to throw money at every problem
that comes along. Perhaps a 50 year cost benefit analysis would
be done.
4. They would be much more likely to say no. They could easily
resist the enormous pressures from various associations, unions
and PACs.
5. They would be less likely to treat every problem as a crisis.
6. They would be more likely to freeze or cut the bureaucrats'
budgets.
7. They would be less likely to attack everything the other party
proposes in order to posture for the next election.
8. Even if a one term limit didn't have any affect on the initial
election process, taking away the politicians incentive to spend
our tax money to get re-elected would be a monumental improvement.
Under a one-term limit, the current federal terms may be
too short. A congressman elected for only two years in the modern
world is a touch of insanity. They get to Washington and immediately
start the re-election process. The presidential term of four
years may also be too short. Senators are elected for six years
- outlasting a one-term president. Perhaps a congressman should
be elected for four years, a senator for six years and the president
for six years. No re-election for any of them. Also no election
to a different office until a time equal to their term has expired.
What a concept. Go home and repair your outhouse.
So it is written, that politicians and diapers need to be changed,
for the same reason. So let's tip that outhouse. A constitutional
amendment anyone?
(Top of Page)
BACK TO BOOKS PAGE
For More Info
EXCEPTIONAL CONFIGURATION
MANAGEMENT HOME PAGE
©1999 EC3 Corp - Copyright material
may be copied from this site for your one time personal use.
Do not reproduce. All rights reserved. Others may visit this
site to obtain a copy.
|