John Warren
Americans are used to being misled by politicians, the media, and special interests, especially during a presidential election. But sadly, one of the biggest smokescreens being foisted on the American people is the idea that most races for the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate are competitive. Before one vote has been cast, 23 members of Congress were re-elected without opposition. In the House of Representatives, only about 30 races are deemed competitive. In the Senate, there are about 10 races considered competitive.
In 2022, one hundred percent of all Senate incumbents were re-elected and ninetyeight percent of House members. That is a startling number. Once elected to Congress, most incumbents never face a serious challenge because they have the built in advantages of name recognition and the ability to raise enormous amounts of money from lobbyists and special interests. This results in career politicians who are unaccountable to the people to whom they are supposed to represent.
This lack of accountability has resulted in corruption, record levels of public debt, and incompetence in government. Career politicians care about one thing and one thing only: getting re-elected. And it is long past time to fix that problem.
By enacting term limits for Congress, the American people will become the first priority for elected officials, instead of special interests.
While presidents have been term-limited since 1951 by the 22nd Amendment, Congress has never been held to the same standard. Harry Truman, who was president when the 22nd amendment was passed, saw the need for term limits for Congress saying that they would “help to cure senility and seniority – both terrible
spend on gas. For example, drivers of full-size SUVs pay more on gas than drivers of subcompact or compact cars. Carparts.com
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In 2023, the average cost of health insurance in the United States was $ 8,435 per year for single coverage and $ 23,968 per year for family coverage. This was a 7 % increase from 2022. KFF, Oct 18 2023
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The United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2022, U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.5 trillion, which averages to $13,493 per person. By comparison, the average cost of healthcare per person in other wealthy countries is less than half as much.
For children attending public school from kindergarten to 12th grade, parents can expect to spend a total of roughly $162,899.86 on their child’s education and related activities. Gradepowerlearning.com
Unfortunately, it takes money to pay the bills. Living a modest lifestyle requires a monthly intake of cash – a lot of cash.
You might survive for a while on a small income but as you can see from any of the items above that a modest income makes life a strain when it comes to paying the bills.
Many Americans are already working two jobs. The runaway cost-of-living in America has made it almost impossible for average people to keep their heads above water. Anything that you buy costs a fortune. The cost-ofliving increase needs to come to a halt so that Americans can catch up. Until this happens millions of Americans will continue to experience financial strain.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. Find out more at GlennMollette.com or email at gmollette@aol.com.
legislative diseases.
Polling shows that 87 % of Americans regardless of political affiliation agree with Truman’s thinking and favor term limits according to a poll by Pew Research. Other national polls have shown similar numbers. There are virtually no issues that are equally as popular with both political parties. That term limits would score so highly among voters should tell career politicians that the American people have had enough.
But Congress will never voluntarily term limit themselves. In the current Congress, the House Judiciary Committee killed House Joint Resolution 11 sponsored by South Carolina’s own Representative Ralph Norman – despite having over 100 cosponsors from both parties. But we don’t have to rely on Washington to make career politician an extinct profession.
South Carolina can join a growing roster of states that are working to adopt a congressional term limits amendment to the Constitution. When enough states request to add a term limits amendment to the Constitution, Congress is bypassed, and the amendment can be proposed by the states for ratification. South Carolina could join this roster if the incoming legislature passed a resolution calling for congressional term limits.
Once passed, South Carolina will go on the record calling to adopt an amendment to set congressional term limits that would then need to be approved by three-fourths of the states. With overwhelming support among voters, congressional term limits will become a reality.
South Carolina can turn the tables on career politicians by supporting term limits, and ensure the people become their first priority.
John Warren is the South Carolina State Chair for U.S. Term Limits.
