The Change We Need

by Mike Shannon, Capital District YRs

During this most recent election season we have heard both sides of the political spectrum talk about the need for change.

Barack Obama used the slogan, "Change we need". John McCain said he has been a maverick for more than 20 years and he is going to change Washington D.C.

The country is frustrated and angry with the politics and lack of action coming from our nation's capital. We all know the issues: the economy, the war, and so forth. What change are we looking for?

In 1992, Bill Clinton told us he was a new kind of Democrat and things would be different. By 1994, the nation did not like the direction the country was headed in and turned Congress over to the Republicans. In 1996, Clinton was re-elected but Congress was left to the Republicans, so apparently the people thought we were doing just fine. The economy was good and people were happy. This too would change as scandal after scandal caused anger and strife.

Along came George W. Bush in 2000, who was suppose to be able to reach across to the other side of the spectrum, be bipartisan and get things done. He told us he is a compassionate conservative and things would be different.

Now we have finished another election, George W. Bush cannot serve any longer due to the 22nd Amendment of the U.S Constitution.

The 22nd Amendment limits any individual from serving as President for more than two terms. This became necessary after President Franklin Roosevelt was elected to an unprecedented four terms in office. The United States and its allies had just finished fighting World War II. Our enemies included three of the most evil people in all of world history: Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo. Of the three of them, two had been in power for more than 12 years. Franklin Roosevelt had also been in power for 12 years and would have been there a total of 16 had survived for the remainder of his last term in office.

With the fear of dictators fresh in their minds, the American people wanted to limit the Office of the President to just 8 years per person.

There are 37 states that currently have term limits on their Governors and some cities limit the number of terms for Mayors (New York City is one such example).

Why is this? There is a belief in America that in order for there to be progress and not an entrenchment of power restricted to just a few people, then we need to limit how long people can serve. This opens the seat to a new person who can make changes and bring fresh ideas. That sounds great: fresh ideas, a new tone. I think the American people would love a new tone coming out of Washington and Albany.

In my lifetime, there have been 7 presidents. Averaged out, that is a new President about every 5 years (yes I know terms are 4 years long but read on and learn). During the 36 years of my life, Vice President-elect Joe Biden has been a Senator for all of them. In the current 110th Congress, the average length of service for a member is 10 years or 5 terms. The longest serving member of the house is Representative John Dingell (D-MI), with 52 years. In the Senate, the average length of service is just over 12 years. The longest serving member is Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) with 48 years. So what seems to be the common denominator in Washington? Change the President regularly but keep the Members of Congress.

Why do you think that is? It is quite simple; laws and Constitutional amendments start in Congress. If Americans truly want to change direction in this country then they need to start by changing who their leaders are. Change needs to happen in Congress as well. We need term limits to help force change and stop the consolidation of power. Truly, the current situation is not working.

Here is what I am proposing. Members of the House of Representatives should serve no longer than three terms, or 6 years. If during their third term they hold a leadership position like Speaker of the House, then they can run for one more term, limiting them to four terms, or 8 years. In the Senate members should be limited to 2 terms, or 12 years. Again like the lower house if during their final term they are holding a leadership position then they can run for 1 more term. This would limit them to 3 terms, or 18 years (that seems like a lot). One thing to remember is that in the Senate, one-third of Senators are up for election every 2 years so if more of those 33 seats were open races because of term limits then be might see the change we are looking for.

If we are serious about change then we need to take control of our government through constitutional change. The Constitution starts with "We the people", that means you and me. We control the government; the government doesn’t control us.

Mike Shannon is a member of the Capital District YRs.