Ballot box term limits

OK, this old Republican is now campaigning for putting term limits on all federal elected officials. The way we do this is pretty simple, really—just never again vote for an incumbent. In all cases and all political races at the national level, check the box for the other major party candidate. Stick to this every election, even if you have to hold your nose.

Most of you have seen this scenario your entire lives: The challenger will attack the programs of the incumbent while promising free bubble-up and rainbow stew; the incumbents will have long since abandoned all attempts to deliver on their versions of these visions, and have had an ample feeding at the pig-trough of public monies and lobbyists’ cash. They have enjoyed the best retirement and insurance programs in the country, and will continue to enjoy these perks even after they leave office. Meanwhile, we watch the national debt grow like a California wildfire, the entitlement programs which we depend on (Medicare and Social Security) drop over the edge into insolvency, as we watch the fake hate grow ever more bitter in a sick national trend toward no-concession politics.

So join me. On the local level, go find out about your candidates. Vote your gut feelings about the best candidates for the jobs at hand. But on the national level, vote the rascals out. We are most secure when there are no entrenched politicians.

Be sure and vote. But remember, the incumbents have had their chance at personal enrichment. The occasional dedicated politician has burned out after two years, anyway. Let’s call ’em all home. We need to do this if we are, at heart, still a nation of reason. See you at the polls?

CLIFF HARRISON Hot Springs Village