Two Proposals to Solve What Ails our Political System

It’s time to put an end to the madness that has become our election system. Americans shouldn't have to make Draconian decisions between an extreme candidate on the left and another extreme candidate on the right. As both parties become more and more polarized, that is exactly what is happening. The result is the mess that we have seen reaching epic proportions over the past 20 years. There are two solutions to the problem. Either would help…both would better.

1) Term limits for members of Congress. Six terms is enough for any member of the House of Representatives…that equals twelve years. As for the Senate, the time to go should clock out after three terms…that equals 18 years. I didn’t vote for Robert Byrd (they had to carry him out on a stretcher). I didn’t vote for Charlie Rangle (it will take the jaws of life to pull him out of there notwithstanding the massive corruption charges). I didn’t vote for Nancy Pelosi (this whackadoodle will be there until the Second Coming). These folks, and their conservative counterparts, yield almost limitless power not because of ideas or electoral will, but because they are elected from safe districts. Many of these districts are designed to promote their tenure. Look at Barney Frank! The nut was involved in a sex ring with male House pages, and he is still there. If two terms is enough for President of the United of States…term limits should apply to all members of Congress. The states would have to call for a Constitutional Convention to do this. Who wants to lead the fight?

2) Elimination of partisan primaries for members of Congress. This can be done from within the states. The concept is simple. The political parties have become excessively radicalized. Therefore, in the primaries, you can bet your bottom dollar (if you still have one) that the nominee will be reflect the most radical elements of the party because those are the ones who show up to vote in primaries. I am not calling for open primaries, where anyone can “crossover” to another party to vote in the other party’s primary. Rather all of the candidates should be lumped into a bunch, and the top two or three winners become the candidates in the general election. They can maintain their party affiliations, but the top two vote getters get to go on to the general election. If it is two Dems…or two Republicans…so be it. What it will do is force the radical elements to the center…and boy do we need the center.

Those with vested interests in the current system will make all sorts of arguments against the what I am proposing. My favorite is why should we be forced to change Congressman if he/she is doing a good job? My answer: find someone else who will do a good job. Or how about we will never attract good people if they know they have to quit after so many years. Really? Look who we’ve got now. I say move ‘em in, and move ‘em out!

Some states are already moving to Proposal Number 2, non-partisan primaries. The State of Washington has this sytem, and California just adopted it this past June. Louisiana has operated with a non-partisan primary system for years. Oregon is also considering it. While critics say that it hasn’t had the moderating affect it promised, it certainly broadens the field and makes the fringe a little less “fringy.” Surely it couldn't get any worse. Lawsuits to follow in California.

There is nothing in our Constitution that provides for a two party system, or for two party primary elections. In fact, only one of the two parties we have now goes clear back to the founders…that is the Democratic Party. The Republicans go back to Lincoln. But the horse and buggy has been left in the past…maybe it’s time to do the same thing with partisan primaries. I’m just sayin.