Joe Biden: ‘We the People Are the Government’

[rogue06]

We should never have "legacy politicians" who are able to acquire undue power and influence simply because they've been there a long time. George Washington set the example when he quietly retired after his second term.

His willingness to step down and refusing the offer of kingship were what earned him the title of the American Cincinnatus back then.

[Cow Poke]

We should never have "legacy politicians" who are able to acquire undue power and influence simply because they've been there a long time. George Washington set the example when he quietly retired after his second term.

If ever there were a case for term limits....

[Mountain Man]

We should never have "legacy politicians" who are able to acquire undue power and influence simply because they've been there a long time. George Washington set the example when he quietly retired after his second term.

[rogue06]

But the problem is that people always seem to think that "their guy" is different the other schmucks in DC.

True dat. Our guy isn't the problem. It's your guys who need to go.

But if you pay attention we do get a flushing every few years that gets rid of a significant portion of the Representatives at least (the Senate was deliberate set up in a manner so this can't happen).

[rogue06]

Turning "politician" into a part-time, low-paying job would do wonders for this country. For one thing, it would prevent politicians from passing crippling economic policies knowing that they won't have to face the consequences. If they had to work for their paycheck and pay taxes like the rest of us, and couldn't simply vote themselves a pay raise whenever they started feeling a pinch in their wallet, then maybe they would think twice before proposing tax increases.

If you read what the founders wrote you'll see that they pretty much envisioned part-time politicians. Now we have more than our share of those who only keep a residence in the state/precinct they represent for legal reasons and as a place to stay when they return to campaign.

[Cow Poke]

We The People could set this policy ourselves if we simply followed Walter Williams' advice to never vote for the same politician twice, what he described as "flushing the political toilet".

But the problem is that people always seem to think that "their guy" is different the other schmucks in DC.

[Mountain Man]

Two words -- Citizen Legislators!

Let them serve their two years and go back home and live under the laws they passed!

We The People could set this policy ourselves if we simply followed Walter Williams' advice to never vote for the same politician twice, what he described as "flushing the political toilet".

[Cow Poke]

Turning "politician" into a part-time, low-paying job would do wonders for this country. For one thing, it would prevent politicians from passing crippling economic policies knowing that they won't have to face the consequences. If they had to work for their paycheck and pay taxes like the rest of us, and couldn't simply vote themselves a pay raise whenever they started feeling a pinch in their wallet, then maybe they would think twice before proposing tax increases.

Two words -- Citizen Legislators!

Let them serve their two years and go back home and live under the laws they passed!

[Mountain Man]

Turning "politician" into a part-time, low-paying job would do wonders for this country. For one thing, it would prevent politicians from passing crippling economic policies knowing that they won't have to face the consequences. If they had to work for their paycheck and pay taxes like the rest of us, and couldn't simply vote themselves a pay raise whenever they started feeling a pinch in their wallet, then maybe they would think twice before proposing tax increases.

[rogue06]

I would be so mad if my elected representatives did that. Serving me and the rest of the populace is their full time job. I don't get to work 1/4 of the time. Why should they?

Seems like they've tricked you into being okay with them failing to do their job. And given the recent energy crisis, it's not like there aren't obvious things that need doing.

Actually, most of them aren't lay-abouts sponging off the dole but tend to own and run businesses and the like. In my state our constitution limits the General Assembly's annual session to no more than 40 legislative days.

And given that a number of states greatly limit the amount of damage they can do how long they convene, you just might start to wonder if that isn't exactly what the people want. In all my years I don't recall anyone clamoring for a longer session.

[Cow Poke]

I might add that "in session" means that they're in Austin actually proposing, voting on, and enacting legislation.
It's quite a flurry of activity that goes on from early morning to late late at night.
I have testified before the Senate and the Representatives on more than a few occasions, and I'm always struck by the urgency with which everybody is trying to get their bills introduced, read, debated, amended, voted on, etc.

[Cow Poke]

I would be so mad if my elected representatives did that.

It's required by the Texas Constitution.

And, your elected representatives are probably not as partisan, I'd imagine.

Serving me and the rest of the populace is their full time job. I don't get to work 1/4 of the time. Why should they?

The idea is that they work in their districts when they're not in session --- and they actually do a decent job of that.

Seems like they've tricked you into being okay with them failing to do their job.

They do work all year -- you just assumed that because they're only "in session" for a limited time, that they're not working elsewhere --- like in their districts.

And given the recent energy crisis, it's not like there aren't obvious things that need doing.

And, again, not being "in session" doesn't mean that they're not working. My won State Rep makes frequent appearances, as does my State Senator.
When they're "in session", they're pretty much locked up in Austin 24/7 working from early morning to very late at night.

Your post is understandable as you didn't understand the fact that "in session" doesn't mean "not working".

[Starlight]

It's kinda like when the Texas Legislature is "out of session*"...

*Every two years, the Texas Legislature convenes for a 140-day regular legislative session.

I would be so mad if my elected representatives did that. Serving me and the rest of the populace is their full time job. I don't get to work 1/4 of the time. Why should they?

Seems like they've tricked you into being okay with them failing to do their job. And given the recent energy crisis, it's not like there aren't obvious things that need doing.

[Cow Poke]

Reminds me of the government shutdowns under Obama. People were generally thrilled with the idea of the government closing its doors for a while, so Obama went out of his way to try and make it "hurt" with petty things like deliberately delaying social security payments, or trying to close outdoor exhibits in Washington DC. My favorite story was about a wheelchair bound veteran who came to pay his respects at the World War II memorial only to find a small barricade blocking the path. So he proceeded to dismantle it while park service personnel stood by in awe, afraid to intervene.

It's kinda like when the Texas Legislature is "out of session*". Many of us Texans breathes easier, because they're not rushing to complicate our lives.



*Every two years, the Texas Legislature convenes for a 140-day regular legislative session.

[Mountain Man]

Gridlock means that at least for the moment the politicians aren't implementing any new ways to screw us.

Reminds me of the government shutdowns under Obama. People were generally thrilled with the idea of the government closing its doors for a while, so Obama went out of his way to try and make it "hurt" with petty things like deliberately delaying social security payments, or trying to close outdoor exhibits in Washington DC. My favorite story was about a wheelchair bound veteran who came to pay his respects at the World War II memorial only to find a small barricade blocking the path. So he proceeded to dismantle it while park service personnel stood by in awe, afraid to intervene.