![Why (Not) Term Limits?]()
by Art Smith
Term limits have lately become a popular topic of conversation. When a lot of folks start getting fed up with what's happening in Washington, term limits are sometimes becomes strategy #1 for solving the problem. But it's like the idea of a flat tax or domestic drilling... it sounds good as a sound bite, but what does it really end up meaning, and why do we really think it's going to help?
Frankly, I was a big supporter of the idea some years ago (back when Neal Smith represented my US House district in Congress), but I have figured out that the reason I was such a big supporter was specifically because of Neal Smith. That is, I wanted him out of office, and term limits sounded like an easy way to accomplish it. It was a specific, tactical, selfish reason.
I certainly recognize that there are other reasons, some of which are compelling. Let's make a list, shall we?
I don't like the person who's currently my (legislator, governor, etc.). From my own party, I've heard activists actually say "How else do we get rid of Tom Harkin (Senator from Iowa)?". Wow, so then what happens when we get someone in office who we actually like? You can't have it both ways... implementing term limits is not the way to move your agenda forward. Term limits will likely cause us more difficulty in moving the agenda forward. What you need is to bring candidates who can win elections.
Two terms (or one, or three, whatever the number of the month is) are enough for anyone to accomplish what they need to accomplish. If the purpose of sending someone to represent us in Washington or our state capital is to accomplish some singular thing, this might actually make sense. But the purpose of the legislatures includes doing a good deal of work that must be [...]
by Linda Morgan
After two years, we finally get to pull the lever.
I do not propose to get into specifics, here about what I’m going to do. I don’t suppose I will need to.
You see, when I vote today, I’m going to remember which party made possible another vote recently, and which party decided fighting for freedom wasn’t worth it.
I strongly suggest that you should, as well.
Cross-posted from BitsBlog.
Addendum (Art): Great point, Bit. It's also great to see American's taking their right to vote this year as seriously as Iraqis do.
by Art Smith
If you need them, free voter tools and endorsement information are in the center sidebar. We want to help you out today as much as possible.
The numbers are not completely up to date yet, but it looks like over 30 million Americans have voted in early balloting (up through November 3) for this election. That's almost 25% of the total votes cast in 2004! Depending on how and when different states are counting these ballots, Tuesday and Wednesday could be an interesting time... and I doubt that exit polling will have the same level of predictability it had in years past.
Wow.
It's awesome to see the power of the people brought to bare... the results are certainly unpredictable, but that's part of the beauty and ultimately the intended process. Everyone has done everything they can and should to promote their parties, their candidates, their positions, and today everyone (who hasn't already yet) gets to[...]
by Art Smith
I've only provided endorsements for President and for legislative contests that affect me directly. Unfortunately, personal and work commitments have kept me from providing a broader assessment of candidates.
If you have not had adequate time yourself to interact with candidates or research them at their web sites, I can make a couple of simple suggestions:
There are a number of web sites with candidate assessments from varying perspectives, including general political principals and specific policy areas. Using various Google searches (such as "2008 Congressional candidate comparison tax") you can[...]
by Art Smith
Less than 72 hours remain until the polls will close across the country, and we're already getting plenty of messages intended to demoralize McCain supporters. DON'T LISTEN TO A WORD OF IT!
The model for this was set during the primaries... a great analysis and prediction of repeat offenses are described at the HillBuzz Blog. It's a great read if you have time, but the point of it that they will do anything to convince you to skip voting if you're planning to vote for McCain. Three core efforts (and tell me you haven't seen this already) are:
- Calls for McCain to just give up and quit, because the race is over
- Wild claims of Obama winning states that shock and surprise you
- Repeated insistance that blacks and young people will decide this election, and they are all going to vote in record numbers for Obama
The worst part of this is[...]
