One of the ambitious proposals put forth by former Vice-President Al Gore was the "re-invention" of government. While the Clinton Administration may have made some progress towards promoting greater efficiency, the result was that government actually grew in size mainly because of bureaucratic self-perpetuation. No one in the United States would disagree that the reduction of government waste should be given top priority. However, before tackling such a problem, one must examine the root causes and not merely treat the symptoms.[/align][/align]When our founding fathers wrote the Constitution, they deliberately left out the "structural path" of elective office but were very clear on names of offices, branches of government, duties of elected officials etcetera. However, what they failed to foresee was the need for elective offices to follow a required path.For example, take theleader of the executive branch;if a person wants to be elected president of the United States, they must first serve as mayor of a city, commissioner of a county and then governor of a state. The two-term limit (eight years) should also be extended to include these lower chief executives as well. [/align][/align]The legislative branch should have a similar path. If one wants to be elected United States senator, they must first serve as a U.S. congressperson from that state. Before serving as a congressperson, they must serve as a councilperson of a city, representative of a state and then as a state senator. The two-term limit should apply here as well. [/align][/align]As for the judicial branch, a United States supreme court justice must serve as a municipal court judge of a city, common pleas court judge of a county, circuit court or district court judge of a state, appeals court judge and state supreme court judge. The two-term limit would apply here also.[/align][/align]Furthermore, the education of these candidates to-be should entail the equivalent of earning a bachelors degree, masters degree and a doctorate in philosophy degree. These degrees must be earned prior to running for elective office. Besides providing afocused academic training it will promote a greater maturity in our candidates before they experience the rigors of their first elective office. [/align][/align]Few could doubt that this path would provide good practical training for those seeking higher office while at the same time establishing a track record that voters could more easily analyze and understand. The two-term limit would allow greater participation because the office would be wide open every eight years. This would force the elected official to properly execute his/her duties and not be as influenced by the various special interest groups.[/align][/align]Government today is often seen as part of the problem rather than a solution to the problem. Perhaps if the United States would consider a path of development for its "philosopher kings" public trust would return and something may actually get done.
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It's an interesting idea but many people don't seem to learn much from those experiences. Perhaps there could be some sort of exit exam before moving up to the next level?
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
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While these career paths are interesting and may have some merit, they ignoremuch of human nature and are too rigid to insure the very best people interested in a position could have a chance at it.Term limits, while working to keep self serving individuals from a position any longer than necessary, also limit those that are truly dedicated to public service from achieving worthwhile goals over longer terms. A rigid career path with no deviation also limits the number of very qualified people for any post by ignoring accomplishments they may very well have made in the private sector or in a different series of elected or appointed positions in government.
While these career paths are interesting and may have some merit, they ignoremuch of human nature and are too rigid to insure the very best people interested in a position could have a chance at it.Term limits, while working to keep self serving individuals from a position any longer than necessary, also limit those that are truly dedicated to public service from achieving worthwhile goals over longer terms. A rigid career path with no deviation also limits the number of very qualified people for any post by ignoring accomplishments they may very well have made in the private sector or in a different series of elected or appointed positions in government.
Good post.
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An excellent post as usual Coastie. You got me thinking about what you said and it's made me wonder about the career paths of several important leaders. many of them did not go through such a rigid system of advancement, much like you warn against. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, FDR, Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan all achieved milestones in history as U.S. President or P.M. of England. Although each did have some professional advancement, none of them took such a rigid career path and our world would be quite different if each hadn't become the leader they were elected to be.
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
When I read the post I saw how you equated elective branches to college degrees. All I could think was "All politicians have their Ph.D's". By that I mean, first they get their B.S. (BullSh$T) degree, then their M.S. (More Sh$T) degree and finally their Ph.D (Piled Higher and Deeper) degree. Because all politicans love to pile it higher and deeper.
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Elective Office
