Need another reason? How about the propensity of Congress to grant itself pay raises (see my previous post concerning minimum wage) while a goodly amount of their constituency suffer at a sub-par federal minimum pay wage. There is something inherently illogical with having a branch of government that can willy-nilly grant itself a pay raise whenever it wishes. Set a term limit, set a salary and be done with it. No more games.

I am a vociferous opponent of party replacement laws (happens a lot on county levels), wherein a candidate is elected to office, must leave early for some reason and the party of whom he is a part automatically selects his replacement. When we vote for a candidate... we vote for the individual (ideally that is) not the party. Should this person leave office, die, or whatever before office, there should be a replacement vote for candidates from his constituency. This isn't to be confused with an accepted chain of command situation which exists at the federal level, where we at least select the individual and the running mate on the ballot for the office with the understanding that #2 could become #1... or even that members of his Cabinet may become the President at some point.

Commit a crime in office? Automatic out of office. Do not pass go, do not collect pension. Do not collect perks. Do I feel this is overboard. Not at all. How much more graft, misrepresentation and shady dealings can we have lurking in the dark corridors of power. It continues because they all protect each other FROM US. There are repercussions for the every-day citizen that breaks a law. Should a representative do so knowingly and willingly... this person who is of such great moral standing and trust to the public to be selected from millions to represent the one and many... is beyond excuse and calls for immediate and resounding punishment.

I believe in severely restricting politicians from getting jobs with lobbying firms immediately following the end of their terms. I believe there should be a number of years... at least 5... where these people are blocked from such work (I believe the time limit may currently be 2). Is there a connection between lobbying and politicians seeking to secure future wealth for favors now... undoubtedly. Stamp down on it better, I say, it just feeds into the continuing issue where we are ill represented by these people.

I believe in disallowing one politician from stumping for another that is running for (re)election. How many times have we watched a President, Governor, Senator (from another state even), etc... stumping about for some party lap dog that they want in office just to make their life easier? This isn't representation, this is party politics. If a person running for office cannot stand on their own merit... if they must rely upon the coat-tails of some power-symbol in office currently... then they really don't belong in office to begin with. Do you hear their message... or do you see only the glamour and bells and whistles of the show dog paraded about for stray peanuts. I only think to myself, each time I watch some fool already in office campaigning for some other fool running for office, just HOW MUCH are you representing your own people... just HOW MUCH time are you spending on YOUR constituency projects... just HOW MUCH time are you spending on YOUR job when you are busy working for your party trying to get numbers in the House. I understand the whys of it. I will never agree to it. Do your own work already.