Author Offers ‘Politics Defined’

To The Editor:
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary has nine definitions for politics. Most general and benign is, “The art or science of government.” Two seem appropriate for our times: “The art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.” And, “Political affairs or business; spec if: competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in government).”
Washington is about political power, but once there was enough rapport between party leaders in Congress and the White House to reach agreement on issues. Now almost everything is seen in the dusky light of political gain: who gets credit or blame for what. Each party blames the other. Each side hypes their own “accomplishments” expecting us to buy their spin. The political class shows an alarming contempt for the intelligence of the electorate and relies on ignorance and apathy to slip actions by us, evading responsibility. It is time for citizens to flex their political muscle. We have largely given control of the country to politicians.
They cajole us, pander to our narrow interests, mislead us and manipulate us and even try to divide us (as in class warfare). They also fear us because they need our votes and to a lesser extent, public opinion. Rating declines in public polls seem to have minimal effect on Congress or the White House. There are congressional denizens chewing away at our freedoms: the career politicians. Some with 20, 30 or more years in office gaining seniority and powerful leadership positions impacting all our lives, while accountable only to their own constituencies.
We should revisit a concept embraced by the Constitution’s framers: the citizen legislator. This rare creature would serve a short while in Congress returning to private life and productive pursuits back home. Many ideas have been floated. Example: Representatives serve four years and they are done. Likewise senators serve one eight-year term and they’re through.
No baloney about getting re-elected over and over. This would greatly diminish their power and influence. Some argue without the specter of re-election they would be less responsive to their voters. Hmm? How has that notion worked out? Isn’t it time for our elected ones to live by the same rules they insist we follow? Should they and federal employees have better benefits than available to ordinary private-sector folks? They even want exemptions from Obamacare.
We need Constitutional amendments. These are tough to make, wisely so. Congress isn’t about to amend the privileges they covet or support single-term “service.” Article V of the Constitution says a convention may be called for addressing amendments if two-thirds of both Houses of Congress say so. Or, two thirds of state legislatures may propose amendments. So there is a way, albeit difficult, around a recalcitrant Congress through our state legislatures. Either way requires approval by three-quarters of state legislatures for an amendment’s adoption. If we don’t like the way government’s going don’t depend on Congress to change it. Only the citizens can, if we stop ceding our power to the political class! For expert analysis on this topic, read constitutional scholar Mark Levin’s new book, The Liberty Amendments: Restoring the American Republic.
BOB LOVELL
Court House