Whatever happened to term limits for politicians? I just heard (12/20/2006) that the 2008 presidential race will cost over a billion dollars for the first time. We all know what "cost" means when it comes to elections. Television, radio and newspaper adds.

What's so important about getting elected that would-be politicians and their sponsors will spend this kind of money? Is it because there is a burning desire by these individuals to foster a better America? Doubtful, when someone or some group shells out that amount of dough they are looking for a return on their investment. And that investment return is your money, my money and all of us who pay taxes. Can this faulty practice be corrected?

You bet. One term for elected officials. Sounds draconian, but our system is failing, and if we don't change soon we won't be able to enjoy our way of life much longer. We are spending our way into oblivion. If elected for one term only, once in office, politicians could not campaign for re-election. Without campaigning, politicians won't be buying votes for the next election. Pork barrel spending should be substantially reduced with huge savings to taxpayers. This won't stop politicians from trying to pay back those who were instrumental in getting them elected, but with only one term there should be enough politicians who will put country before self worth.

Most federal politicians have law degrees. We need a much greater representation from the general populace. Ideas from one group, i.e. lawyers, does not lend itself to practical, constructive legislation. A one term mandate would give incentives to a much more diverse group of citizens to run for office. Individuals will look at running for office as a privilege to serve their country, not a long term job opportunity. Once elected, this diverse group of individuals would enact practical, everyday common sense laws learned from life experience outside the legal community. After serving their country, gaining fame and recognition, these one term heroes could retire from politics, return home, and continue with a productive, meaningful life.

It would be nice to have this current group of privileged legislators replaced with the everyday common man. Only you, with your votes, can elicit change.

For some time I've wondered where our elected representatives come from. I don't mean geographically, what I'm curious about is who they were growing up. What sort of environment shaped their thoughts and ideas. Of all the individuals I've known- at school, work, play, socially- I don't believe I know any who ever became a politician.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had extensive exposure to one or more of these individuals. What sort of person were they growing up, as an adult, etc. How would you describe their character, popularity, leadership, intelligence? E-mail me with any experience you may have had with an elected official.

The following sentence was gleaned from the internet, by an unknown author, and reflects my sentiments on many of our politicians.

"POLITICIANS & DIAPERS BOTH NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN, AND FOR THE SAME REASON"

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government.

The previous sentence was penned be Alexander F. Tytler, economist and professor at
Edinburgh University, writing around the time the American Constitution was being drafted.
Tytler's observation supposedly was about "The Fall of The Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years earlier.

Why was he writing about a democracy so soon after the United States won the war for independence but had not yet ratified it's own constitution? Was this a coincidence because he was a university professor and this is what he did, write papers, or was he trying to foretell the future of the United States, or for that matter all democracies?

His main thoughts are as follows:

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. From Bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to selfishness;
6. From selfishness to complacency;
7. From complacency to apathy;
8. From apathy to dependence;
9. From dependence back into bondage."

My estimation of the United States today is as follows:

1. 1607 to 1752__Bondage to spiritual faith.
2. 1752 to 1776__Spiritual faith to great courage.
3. 1776 to 1790__Courage to liberty.
4. 1790 to 1966__Liberty to abundance.
5. 1966 to 1982__Abundance to selfishness.
6. 1982 to present__Selfishness to complacency.

Can we stem the tide of electing politicians who will spend us back into bondage? This chapter will be written by our children and grandchildren. Time is running short. Tytler's last three predictions, I feel, are not far off.

Take care,
Bob Snider