Step1: Terms & Conditions

Is partisan divide just a necessary curse of a two party democratic system, or is it a condition brought about by our own ignorance? Something We The People can correct? If so, what methods are at our disposal to combat petty congressional self-serving partisan gridlock?

Before any problem can be solved it must first be defined. 

We all have a good appreciation of the time and effort that goes into running a campaign for public office. It can take years of experience then getting endorsements, planning, fund raising, speaking and advertising; bringing in hundreds of volunteers and vetting dozens of paid staff to write, direct and produce the ‘product’ which is you. A federal congressional campaign can be the culmination of a life’s work in itself. 

Then you win!

Your constituents think the campaign is over. You are now their standard bearer. Their voice! You can concentrate on the interests and well being of those that voted for you. Live up to all those promises.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

From the day a freshman congressman or senator enters Washington they are hemmed in on all sides by the partisan machine. Do what you’re told and you will remain. Break ranks and you will never win another election. Rather than the campaign being over – it simply shape shifts. Political direction is governed by party leadership, lobbyists and those that contribute to campaigns. Favors are due. An agenda and a process are already in place. You are expected to fall into line – or else none of your ideas or legislation will ever see the light of day.

And, oh by the way, you have to start thinking about the next election. Members of the House of Representatives serve only two years. The Senate serves six. A congressman can barely let their campaign manager go on vacation.

Here then we find one of the root causes of our partisan problem. It stems from the nearly continuous campaigning of our elected officials.  Whether a two or six year term, local, state or federal, it takes well over a year of preparation and financial positioning for an incumbent to run a campaign to keep their office. It takes sponsorship too: In the form of continued party endorsements, funding and favors. It’s almost like a student loan. You may never be free from it. You have to keep borrowing.

Members of both houses must keep an eye on the politics of their decisions rather than their merit. They must be a staunch member of the ‘Club’ (AKA caucus). They find themselves pledging far more to Washington than to their constituents.

We need term limits. Long ones. One and done limits. Limits that incite independence not penalize it.

If we had a process whereby, once elected (to either the House or Senate), an official was entitled to a single eight year term of service - then could not run for the same office again for another eight years - the 'campaign' would be over on the day they were elected. By ridding ourselves of incumbency we greatly minimize obligations to the political process that promotes, and the special interests that fund, campaigns.

There would be of course fine print, such as:

• A career politician could run for another office in successive terms (e.g. a Congressman could run for the Senate; a Senator for President; Governor, etc.). We would not want to impede the political momentum of a successful public servant.
• One quarter of each the House and Senate would be elected every two years. At any one time 75% of both houses would be veterans with 2 years or more experience. This is a more substantial benefit than many realize. It also insures 25% of the membership is always fresh blood. New thinking.
• In each two year election cycle any standing member may be recalled if a petition acquires enough support. Once a recall petition is on the ballot, a majority of voters would need to vote yea. The member in question would be recalled and removed from the legislative process until a replacement could be elected (no lame ducks in the recall process).

If you doubt the need for one-and-done fixed term limits, consider this case in point: In 2019 during a high profile vote in the U.S. Senate, twelve republican senators voted with all democrats to block the president's misuse of the Federal Emergency Declaration process. Only those republican senators up for reelection the next year voted otherwise. A blatant demonstration that their jobs were more important than America, it's constitution, or it's people.

I do not want to pick on Republicans here. There are many similar events involving Democrats in congress. It just happens to be the latest example of the infection of democracy called 'incumbency'.  

Getting politicians to change a political system requires new blood. Those that are in office today, by and large, will not be on board. They visualize decades of power in front of them.  No, it will take We The People and our votes to make such a drastic change happen. 

We need to ignite a populist movement to put all elected officials behind the "Eight Ball". Eight years and done. The will of the people has to be relentless. But it can be done.

JWB