More than 95% of incumbent politicians win re-election, which is a higher percentage than the old Soviet Politburo. Congressmen make over $170,000.00 in salary, have health benefits worth approximately $15,000.00 and become fully vested in a lucrative pension plan within a few years. With each term, the career politician grows more distant from and less understanding of the plight of the ordinary citizen he is supposed to represent.
If the country is best served with presidential term limits, then the country will be best served with congressional term limits.
Career politicians claim they already have term limits, called elections. This ignores the fact that most US Representatives start the election cycle with at least one million dollars in the bank. This presents an advantage for the incumbent that is difficult for a challenger to overcome.
Incumbents have access to special interest groups that want federal favours in return for financial support. The challenger must raise all of his campaign funds from individuals who contribute on average a check for $100.00 or less. No wonder the incumbents win almost every election.
Long term incumbency leads to career politicians who focus on what is best for their careers, instead of what is best for their constituents.
