SNIP
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>I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be better to eliminate all political contributions and special interest lobbys, provide equal time on public media for political candidates so that you wouldn't have be rich, well connected, corrupt or otherwise and have a one term limit on every public office so that you only have one term to either do good or you can only screw things up for a short period of time. Also leaders shouldn't have a vote on their compensation and benefits. Should be by voters only. But then that wouldn't be American would it?

Hi Elmer,
Sounds like a fine idea (equal time on public media). trouble is, I bet it will never happen!
The big two make the rules. They'd trot out dozens of reasons why it cannot be done in a "free" country. Everything from phoney parties would spring up all over to you can't TELL a free-enterpriser that he HAS TO do anything.
Things like making it a condition of licensing wouldn't cross their minds.
Also, imagine the impact on the ecomony in an election year, not to mention the impact on politicians' incomes forever!

I've always thought that "term limits" were a really dumb idea EXCEPT for 1 reason - the incumbent always has bigger $$$, by way of lobbyist payouts and such. The voters SHOULD be able to throw a bum out after 1 term, but the incumbent's $$$ makes that real hard unless the incumbent is put in jail.

cheers