It would be a rare individual who would claim Thomas Jefferson was neither insightful
or a visionary. In many of his letters he writes as though he could see what would
occur 200 years after his death!
The point of referencing Jefferson was his belief future generations should determine
how best to govern, not remain locked into what men already dead believed. This
Jefferson wrote in a letter to James Madison, Sept 6, 1789, link: http://bit.ly/2b1b9zF
Excerpt of what Jefferson wrote,
"The question Whether one generation of men has a right to bind
another, seems never
to have been started either on this or our side
of the water. Yet it is a question of such consequences as not only
to merit decision, but place also, among the fundamental principles of
every government. I set out on this ground which I suppose
to be self evident, "that the earth belongs in usufruct to the living;"
that the dead have neither powers nor rights over it. The portion
occupied by an individual ceases to be his when himself ceases to be, and reverts to the society."
As I read his words I thought of elected officials and how often the subject of term
limits comes up and is quickly dropped.
The answer to why we do not have term limits has been, "elections are term limits",
said more as a defense to protect entrenched incumbents until voters decide to
replace them, which is very rare, this only occurs 15% of the time.
I agreed with this view even as I questioned why so many long in the tooth members
of Congress and jurists stay until they became octogenarians, serving for decades!
But, Jefferson's words allowed me to see limiting terms differently, leading me to
now favor the "re-seeding" of elected and appointed government positions.
Yes, it would require term limits, but they would not be implemented to rid
government of good officials, rather, introduce 'new fruit' into the orchard
of valued public service!
To ensure new contemporaries contribute, maximum length of service should be twenty
years, the defined length of a generation.
Using this benchmark, jurists at every appointed level and representatives
would serve no longer than twenty years and senators, eighteen years!
This would begin the "re-seeding", ensuring new generations would self govern
rather than be "ruled" by appointees and representatives who have served for
two, three or more generations!.
Getting incumbents to alter a system which benefits them is always difficult.
It requires a grass roots effort with strong, non-government, institutions
support to achieve.
Its time to move forward as Jefferson foresaw, not solely to cast aside the old,
but welcome the new.
As always, feedback greatly appreciated, either below or via email ajbruno14@gmail.com
It is interesting that while the 545 constantly investigate us no one seems to investigate them. What would be uncovered would replace the need for term limits.
ReplyDeleteJohn LaCava
Well said. I think 20 years is far too long, that's a career. To me, 6-10 years, max, makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteServe your patriotic tour of duty then go home. It's not a career, it's a volunteer service effort.
Dana