Sharp as a Marble - Just a political thought

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Just a political thought

Politics

Shouldn't all elected positions in the government be 'part time'? Especially local? I mean, how else better to have representatives who, you know, represent you than the very people who have to eke out a living just like you do under the same conditions?

posted @ 11/3/2008 3:27:07 PM

Comments

Tanya says:

on 11/3/2008 4:00:09 PM

In theory, yes. In practice, if my senator didn't have time to read up on that bill in preparation for his vote, because he had to work overtime and couldn't find anyone to take his shift? (Or had to do an off-hours upgrade, or deliver a baby, or whatever) Not so much.

Or did you mean six months on, six months off? (and the "off" is when they'd practice their other career?)

Robb Allen says:

on 11/3/2008 4:04:38 PM

Eh, I was more thinking "Nobody has time to do much unless it's something they know enough about" kind of thing.

Personally, every last bit of legislation should require a test. If you can't answer enough questions on the bill correctly, you're vote doesn't count. Enough "Not Smart Enough" votes and the bill dies right then and there.

Tanya says:

on 11/3/2008 4:41:50 PM

If you can't answer enough questions on the bill correctly, you're vote doesn't count.

That'd be awesome. And they'd be tested on the bill and any earmarks. Would not voting or voting "present" be counted as "too dumb" or just skipped?

straightarrow says:

on 11/3/2008 6:49:04 PM

how about you have to go back home as an ordinary citizen and live under the laws you just passed? And you don't get to go back as an elected official until the guy who took your place has to do the same thing?

Sevesteen says:

on 11/3/2008 8:10:09 PM

Depending on how big your "local" is. A major city? No, the people elected WILL have a wealthy lifestyle one way or another. I'd rather it be a direct, substantial salary, since the other option is bribes and kickbacks. Not to say it won't be both in some cases, but without a decent salary, competent and honest people won't take the job at all.

straightarrow says:

on 11/4/2008 12:17:02 AM

Disagree Sevesteen, without a decent salary, only those who really want to serve would seek the office. Especially if they knew they couldn't make a career in office, nor that they would be there long enough to be sufficiently powerful to be worth bribing.

Fred says:

on 11/4/2008 10:23:31 AM

"No legislature, or its staff, shall be in session for more than 45 calendar days per year, nor shall any legislative business be conducted on Saturdays or Sundays."

GreatBlueWhale says:

on 11/4/2008 12:52:25 PM

After the last two years, I'm just that close to thinking term limits are a good idea. Maybe 4 terms for the house and 2 terms for the Senate, and you can't run again for ten years.
Absolute spending limits for each race might not be a bad idea either.
Some of the Founders warned of the elected officials becoming citizens of "that city", and forgetting where they came from and who they served.
Seems to have been a valid concern.

straightarrow says:

on 11/4/2008 7:44:24 PM

unfortunately we currently have the best system for term limits already in place. It's called election. What we are missing are intelligent citizens who can make principled and informed decisions.

In their absence there is no system or check against a system that can protect the uninformed, uninterested, and uninvolved. They are prey, if protected from one threat, they will actively search out another predator to which to succumb.

Robb Allen says:

on 11/4/2008 7:56:34 PM

SA, I would agree except there seems to be some sort of magical loophole where people become entrenched for life. There's got to be some sort of breakdown somewhere that allows that to happen.

Then again, most people are stupid and prefer what they know to anything else, even if what they know isn't good for them.

Depressing.

B Smith says:

on 11/5/2008 4:42:30 AM

Vin Suprinowicz said something like this:
"The full-time residents of DC are, almost to a man and woman, leeches on the federal dollar. The only proper use of the land in DC, when the legislature is not in session, is the grazing of cattle."

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