tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post7013173997502318529..comments2023-09-09T09:01:39.489-04:00Comments on CORE PRINCIPLES: Should we "extend" term limits?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04000930931176589718noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-39402957596259244282007-12-01T12:02:00.000-05:002007-12-01T12:02:00.000-05:00Jack, thanks for standing firm to your convictions...Jack, thanks for standing firm to your convictions.<BR/><BR/>Up until homosexual activist billionaire Jon Stryker from Kalamazoo dropped $5 million of his own money into beating House Republicans in 2006, one short-term result of term limits was that the House had become more Republican and more conservative than it was before the turnover.<BR/><BR/>Our founding fathers were correct in opposing the perpetuation of a career "political class." If anything, you guys (or the people) should impose stricter term limits and restrict the jumping from one house to the other thing after the service-in-one-house limits have been met.<BR/><BR/>Serving in political office changes the overwhelming majority of politicians, and not in a good way -- it's human nature. And scientific studies have shown that the longer someone's in office, for example, the more likely they are to vote for increased taxes and spending.<BR/><BR/>After a while, with rare exception, even the most ardent advocates of limited government develop a mindset of protecting the interests of the institution of government of which they're a part rather than the interests of the folks who elected them. Not saying they're bad people, they're just human, and they can't help themselves.<BR/><BR/>They can't help being influenced by their environment, where being loved and adored and accepted by their fellow politicians becomes extremely important for most, followed by the natural motivation to do what's likely to get them reelected.<BR/><BR/>Which is why structural limits on how long any one human being can remain in the environment is a safeguard for the interests of those who have to foot the bill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-29310506003359037372007-11-27T15:55:00.000-05:002007-11-27T15:55:00.000-05:00I agree. A couple months ago, when the budget cris...I agree. A couple months ago, when the budget crisis was happening, everyone in my three classes at KVCC were talking about it, and several were saying things to the effect of, "Someone needs to start a petition to make our legislature part-time! If they cant make decisions when they meet, why should we pay them full-time?"<BR/>That probably accounts for a lot of the 82% disapproval rating.Heffalumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18261235856915949850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-46094439533438646992007-11-27T13:21:00.000-05:002007-11-27T13:21:00.000-05:00To what end? So that lobbyists will have more year...To what end? So that lobbyists will have more years to potentially influence our legislators? What we really need to do is make them part-time as well. Then, we may get people who know why they are there.<BR/><BR/>I realize that they work part-time anyways, but they would have to come home and work under the laws that they make. Lobbists would then have to come to them to influence them and we would have better access.WCTaxpayershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04943559327160328468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-82029823932584781542007-11-27T10:06:00.000-05:002007-11-27T10:06:00.000-05:00What about voting to exclude current members from ...What about voting to exclude current members from benefiting as a result of any term limit extension? Is that possible?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-25459502152777862252007-11-26T23:13:00.000-05:002007-11-26T23:13:00.000-05:00I worked hard to pass term limits. I do not want t...I worked hard to pass term limits. I do not want them changed. They blame the mess in Lansing on inexperience I blame it on ignorence. Most people get 90 days to learn their job. If our legislators can not learn it in two years they need to get out.<BR/><BR/>I remember the days of Domonic Jacobetti and enough pork under the godfather to choke a horse. Lobbyists had a lot more influence and knew where it needed to be spread around. <BR/><BR/>The State Chamber of Commerce is and important group and needs to be heard but there influence should never overwelm the people of this state.<BR/><BR/>Rose Bogaert, Chair<BR/>Wayne County Taxpayers Association, Inc.WCTaxpayershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04943559327160328468noreply@blogger.com