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From: afb@pucc-i (Michael Lewis)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: other problems inherent to Democracy...
Message-ID: <1335@pucc-i>
Date: Mon, 3-Mar-86 12:17:50 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-i.1335
Posted: Mon Mar  3 12:17:50 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Mar-86 19:18:15 EST
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 29


     I think that one problem that is present in American Government today
is an *oversensitivity* to public opinion, particularly in the House.  The
problem is that Congressmen are just about always up for reelection.  Two
years isn't a long enough term.  The American Public is very fickle, and you'd
better go along with it if you're a Congressman and you want to stay one.

     I realize that one of the functions of the House is to remain "in touch"
with the people...but that can be over emphasized (too much of a good thing...)
I think that the following changes should be made:

    1. House terms moved to 4 years.
    2. Senate terms moved to 8 years.
    3. Presidential terms moved to 6 years.

     I think that the volatility of American Public opinion has made it very
difficult to operate in anything approaching the "long term".  Long term,
consistent, bipartisan programs are essential in such pursuits as military
planning, arms control, environmental planning, etc.

     I've been reading all kinds of things about how hard it is to get anything
unpopular or controversial passed through Congress during an election year...
but that's every other year!  No wonder Congress takes so damn long to decide
anything...

     I'm sure this will spark some lively debate...don't disappoint me.  I'll
just sit back and watch the sparks fly...

Michael Lewis @ Purdue University