Who’d a thunk that America would be finding its footings on the banks of the Delaware River? Did you know that George Washington won his first victory of the Revolutionary War in Trenton, New Jersey on the banks of the Delaware? Day after Christmas, 1776. Did you know that this city, Trenton, NJ, was once the capitol of the new United States of America? Today, it is the capitol of New Jersey and, now, the home of the newest governor in the United States - a fellow by the name of Chris Christie.
Chris Christie has the audacity to say things like:
“They (Party in Power (PIP) in Washington) believe in bigger government, higher taxes and more spending. I believe in less government, lower taxes and empowering local officials…to fix their problems.”
“This is who I am and this is who the people elected.”
“Like it or not, you guys are stuck with me for four years.”
“Nobody in New Jersey is going to have to wonder where I am on an issue.”
“I came here to govern; not to worry about reelection.”
We may be getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but can you grab the concept – I’m here to cut spending and not worry about reelection? Where did this guy Christie ever develop such a rare syndrome as to grasp those rare concepts? Cut Spending. Not Worry about Reelection?
Meanwhile, out west, in the sovereign state of Utah, the three term senator Bob Bennett, anticipating a fourth term, instead, was asked to leave by the Party out of Power (POOP) powers. So what happened to Bob? Where did Bob go wrong? Well, let’s read some of his own words after he got the heave ho.
Here is one Bob quote, “"Looking back on them (votes), with one or two very minor exceptions, I wouldn't have cast any of them any differently even if I had known at the time they were going to cost me my career."
Let’s talk about the votes first. Bob gave lip service to controlling spending and balancing budgets. But he also voted for bailouts and he sure wasn’t opposed to putting spending designations in legislation that would come back to Utah. He was just a tad too unprincipled on the do as I say more than do as I do persona that has infected most all of the elected folk in Washington. Two, is it his job to vote the way he wants to vote or is it his job to vote the way his Utah citizens want him to vote, which is pretty much against deficits and unrepaid debt? TheFundamentals thinks he had better follow his constituents on matters economic and fiscal. He didn’t do it.
Bob also had a problem with keeping his word. Had to do with this reelection business. Remember, he said, “…cost me my career.” Big no-no, Bob. First who is kidding whom? Your career Bob was your private sector adventures; not representing the citizens of Utah in the US senate. Second, Bob, you said you would only serve two terms, which, by the way, is the recommended term limit period supported by TheFundamentals, for accumulative time spent by any one person in any combination of elected national jobs, excluding the presidency. Namely, twelve years total; no pension; just social security. So, Bob, why did you change your mind? Why did you say two terms, extend it to a third and now act upset when they gave you the heave ho while trying for a fourth?
C’mon Bob, do you really think you are that irreplaceable? Who do you think you are, John McCain (In Washington – 27 years)? Arlen Specter (In Washington - 29 years)? Harry Reid? (In Washington – 27 years)?
Twelve years. Not 27 or 29 or whatever!
1 comment:
Perhaps the greatest thing about George Washington was his decision to walk away from the Presidency after serving two terms. At the time, many wanted to name him King. There was much talk on how to address the President. "Most Royal Excellency" and "His Highness" were two terms bandied about. After setting the example, later Presidents, pondering a third term were asked "Do you think you're better that George Washington?" Of course, the answer was always no, until, of course, FDR. Because of FDR, term limits were imposed on the presidency.
It's also important to note that in 1994, when the biggest turnover in the history of Congress occurred,91% of incumbents seeking re-election were, in fact, re-elected. The power of incumbency has rendered the election process so one sided that term limits must be enacted.
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