Some politicians, like the late Senator Tom Coburn, understand that public service isn't a career. They leave office after a few terms because they know that living in the swamp invites corruption and encourages abuse of power.
Others don't have that kind of integrity.
If you combine the tenures of the top-five longest-serving members of Congress, their careers stretch back nearly to our nation's founding -- over 221 years:
- Don Young: 47 years
- Patrick Leahy: 45 years
- Chuck Grassley: 45 years
- Ed Markey: 43 years
- Richard Shelby: 41 years
And, in case you were wondering, careerism affects both parties equally. If you combine the top-five longest-serving members of each party, their total tenures are nearly equal.
- Top five Republican: 213 years
- Top five Democrats: 207 years
Career politicians are the opposite of what the founders wanted when they imagined the statesmen that would lead our nation. As exemplified by George Washington, they wanted politicians who would serve their country for a short time and then return to the real world.
Career politicians develop a warped sense of reality. Living in DC for most of the year, they become disconnected from their constituents. They form lucrative long-term relationships with lobbyists and advocacy organizations, and they become increasingly subservient to those organizations. Worst of all, since this is the only job they know, they become obsessed with reelection and make decisions based on what's politically advantageous rather than what's best for their constituents.
Only a constitutional amendments can impose term limits on our federal officials, but Congress will never vote to term limit itself. That's why we need to call the first-ever Article V Convention of States.
A Convention of States is called and controlled by the states, and has the power to propose amendments that limit the power of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints on Congress, and mandate term limits for federal officials.
Once ratified by 38 states, these amendments become part of the Constitution.
Term limits enjoy the support of over 80 percent of Americans across party lines. Everyone agrees that career politicians are a problem in Washington, and it's time we used the founders solution to do something about it.
Sign the Convention of States Petition below to voice your support!
