Term Limits Desperately Needed

Little did the voters of California realize in 1992 that Dianne Feinstein had been elected Senator for Life.  More than 30 years later, Senator Dianne Feinstein has died.  She was 90.  A couple of months ago, she was participating in an appropriation meeting when one of her aides told her to "just say aye."  Feinstein said, "Aye."  Was the senator the one making the decision or was it the aide?  Or was it some unseen person behind the scenes.  Clearly, Senator Feinstein's mental faculties were not what they had been earlier in her political career.  She should have long since retired.  She is not alone in this.

Senator Mitch McConnell (age 81) has repeatedly frozen midsentence in recent months.  He is more than a decade beyond the traditional retirement age.  Joe Biden (age 80) regularly loses his train of thought, speaks incoherently, and rambles off topic.  The leading candidate for the Republican Party is Donald Trump (age 77) and would finish another term older than Joe Biden is now.  Clearly, term limits are needed.  In the case of the Presidency, we already have that.  However, we may need a maximum age.  Maybe an amendment that you can't run for president after the age of 70.  Heck, that could go for the House and Senate too.

One of the problems with term limits is that they only apply to elective offices.  They should apply to federal service in general.  After all, a bureaucrat who has been working in the system for 30 years is going to walk all over some newbie Senator or Representative.  I have already stated my desire to return to the spoils system, which would allow a full housecleaning every 4 to 8 years, but term limits would be a second best choice.  Say 12 years on the federal payroll and out.  Careerism in government is anathema to limited government.

For example, the Tennessee Valley Authority was created during the Great Depression to bring the Tennessee Valley into the 20th century.  90 years later, it is still operating.  Why?  Because, as Ronald Reagan often said, "a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life."  The bureaucrats have a disincentive to success; success will reduce funding and perhaps eliminate their jobs.

The current system is an obvious failure.  Time to reboot the system.