It is said that if you can fit a philosophy on a bumper sticker, it probably belongs there. True, but they also say that if you can't get a great idea down into one sentence it isn't that great. Like many things, this one is probably a bit of both. Still, if you're like me, you'll find it rewards contemplation:
Click for the bumper strip size
You say you want real change in our political culture? It really is just that simple, and just that difficult. You say it is impossible? So was America in June of 1776. And then some people sat down and wrote this.
Posted by Vanderleun at May 31, 2006 8:47 PM
How do you combat a complacent citizenry that, in the case of Washington State, seemingly will reelect a couple of non entities like Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell over and over again. Compared to Henry Jackson and Warren Magnusen, their lack of Senatorial weight induces a severe case of the giggles in comparing what we had to what we have. Then again, per your bumper sticker, multi term backroom dealers like Jackson and Magnusen are now the problem that must be dealt with if we are ever to recover the ideal of citizen-legislators. If we can somehow restore this ideal, perhaps we can find a middle ground between those who will amass too much power, and those to dim to do so.
Posted by: anybodyinpoulsbo at May 31, 2006 10:52 PMThe way I see things it has to be either term limits or session limits. Either it's a part-time position, or it's only available for Temps, no tenure. I suppose another option would be to ban their ability to pay themselves; paychecks should only come from the "home" district, written by the auditor back in their state by the people responsible for inflicting their karma on the rest of us. I mean it's terrible to know part of my taxes go to pay Ted Kennedy's bar tab...
Posted by: Gnawbone Jack at June 1, 2006 5:01 AMI can't wait to hear the plan. If it's a bloody uprising, let us know, because I'll need to find my rain slicker, and I have some shopping to do.
Posted by: Uncle Mikey at June 1, 2006 5:36 AMI'd love to get behind this "movement", but can the cure really be better than the disease?
There are only a handful of politicians I'd honestly consider leaving in place. So many of them have again been a disappointment, and I'd have to include the President in the group of those who have disappointed me this term.
It was so promising back in the last election to gain this "so-called-majority" in Congress and the "so-called-power" that's supposed to come with it. I truly felt that we finally had the opportunity to make some positive advances on the important issues of our time. Only to now to be left feeling that those opportunities were wasted and that the only thing they have done right is the War On Terror which itself seems to be on shaky ground at best.
I am reminded of how let down I felt after the Gingrich led House failed to live up to their expectations, but the level of failure this time, it seems, is much more widespread.
I am disgusted with the majority of the liberal, socialist, Democrats. Yet I am almost completely disenchanted with the Republicans. So, where do we turn, Gerard?
Are there really enough suitable replacements out there with a strong character that we can put our trust in to do the job the way the American people want the job to be done?
Where are they and who are they?
I am a concerned American without a party these days. Where do I go now?
Posted by: ChatterBox at June 1, 2006 5:54 AMPerhaps our last effort prior to a second Declaration and a new revolution, should be a sharp kick in the groin to focus their attention on our displeasure. Vote the b*stards out and send every one of them home would focus the attention of the political class.
They do not campaign as founts of wisdom to whom we must subjegate our opinions and desires and we must express our anger at their conceit when they attempt to dictate to us and ignore our stated goals. We need to emphasize that election to office does not confer upon them the devine right of Kings.
In response to our stated concerns, we get political snake oil salesmen or others who quickly become infected with the Beltway insiders disease which creates the delusion that they are the elite of America and fit to dictate to us.
Posted by: edward v at June 1, 2006 6:30 AMGerard,
By nature, I'm a tad bit dense. Bumperstickers aren't supposed to require an explanation, but with all due respect, I have to ask for one.
Posted by: LRFD at June 1, 2006 6:50 AMJesus. I know why this is my favorite blog.
Posted by: dan l at June 1, 2006 6:50 AM"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood."
I think that will sum up nicely the message of voting out all (most) incumbants. I am displeased with many, but yet I have the choice of voting on only two, my Congressman and one of my Senators, up for re-election this year.
Frankly, I think that my Congressman is doing a decent job, based on his votes, etc.
I am terribly disapointed with my Senator, but the alternative is measurably worse (his opposition), in my own subjective opinion.
So now what?
Yes, the so-called "Gingrich" Revolution of 1994 has been a disapointment to those of us who vote "R" and had high hopes of reigning in the Federal gov., but what if it had NEVER happened? What is the alternative history of the last 12 years?
Posted by: David at June 1, 2006 6:55 AM"Gerard,
By nature, I'm a tad bit dense. Bumperstickers aren't supposed to require an explanation, but with all due respect, I have to ask for one."
I believe it's a call to "clean house"... and the Senate too for that matter.
Out with the old career politicians who are driven more by political power and special interests than by the regular citizens who put them in office.
Posted by: ChatterBox at June 1, 2006 7:22 AM"Yes, the so-called "Gingrich" Revolution of 1994 has been a disapointment to those of us who vote "R" and had high hopes of reigning in the Federal gov., but what if it had NEVER happened? What is the alternative history of the last 12 years?"
I agree the "D" alternative over the last 12 years could have been much worse, and yes, there are a few things "our guys" have got right in that time.
If you ask me it's far less than they should have accomplished, and I for one am damn tired of having to choose between the lesser of two evils.
I want a viable third choice.
Posted by: ChatterBox at June 1, 2006 7:27 AMRonald Reagan said it all for us:
"Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."
If one views incumbency itself as the root of the problem with Congress - and for all practical purposes, I'd say it is, since the monied interests in Washington doubtless become more and more joined at the hip with the incumbents as time passes - then this leads to the conclusion that a "clean house" approach is the proper one for every Congressional election, not just '06.
I've found very few politicians, over the years, who were deserving of any kind of loyalty. So, you know, screw them.
Want to get rid of the entrenched? Follow the money.
Posted by: Alan Kellogg at June 1, 2006 1:03 PMI love this blog and all this talk is very fine indeed, but as Sean Connery in "The Untouchables" said to Kevin Costner (Eliot Ness), "What are you prepared to do?" No, life is not a movie but I wrote to both my U.S. Senators and several of the House delegation to inform them that their ass is grass as soon as they're up for reelection. They've lost my vote and those of great numbers of my neighbors. Our country is infected with a very virulent strain of CC-2006 (Corruption and Complacency). Time for all 435 of those slimy SOBs to get a real job. You know, the jobs that Americans won't do. Gag me.
Regards to all.
Posted by: chester at June 1, 2006 5:01 PMAlso in Canada?
Difficult to get any kind of arm[maybe Harper is going to change situation].
Maybe Canadians might help?
Make being an elected offical an unexpected activity like jury-duty. Randomly select n registered voters from the position's district and have the voters position them 1 to n. Then a run-off of the top 2.
Nobody may be excused if chosen.
So you have jury duty - lottery (like the black balling in Athens) - election - run-off
of people who likely don't want the job!
Its the best solution.
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I'm so disgusted by today's polititians. Can't wait to read whatever you are up to...
Posted by: jim from long island at June 4, 2006 7:30 AMFirst, I hear about your site from Varifrank and your excellent post on Memorial Day. My parents were immigrants (legal) and I have tried to live up to being called an American citizen (served 77-81 in the Air Force). I despair at some of our 'citizens' because they take so much for granted. Our politicians have learned that lesson too, taking their position for granted and forgeting that they SERVE us and at our pleasure. There is no pleasure anymore in their service and several of us have begun to make the call against them.
Time to hit the rest; throw the rascals out; no more incumbents; if they're in, they're out. Join us also.
Tracy http://www.notoincumbents.org
Gary http://www.no-incumbents.org
If Ray Nagin can be re-elected in New Orleans...
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