Congressional Overhaul

I've done a lot of thinking lately and I believe that I have the ultimate solution of how to get the U.S. Congress out from under its "no action" status.  However, before I talk politics, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am totally neutral in my political affiliation. In other words I am an independent, having previously voted for certain candidates, whether they were republican or democrat. I always look at the person and not the party. Okay, now that I've said that - on with my solution. 

For the last couple of years (at least), our congressional leaders (both democrat and republican) have had an abysmal approval rating - as low as the single digit. With one party controlling one side of congress and the other party controlling the other side, they cancel each other out, thereby resulting in nothing getting done.

What is my ultimate solution? Simple - at least in principle. Term limits. Yes, term limits. The President has term limits, so why not congressmen. When this country was founded, our forefathers never intended for this to become a permanent profession - i.e., politician. They helped the country in its infancy and then went back to their primary occupations as merchants, farmers, etc. In recent years, we have seen congressmen who have been in congress for most of their adult lives - several over 50 years. There are examples that I will not point out, but we have had congressional leaders who were so old and incapacitated that they could barely move, much less contribute to the welfare of this country. Of course, everyone says that we could just "vote" them out of office. Unfortunately, there is a rather unique mentality in this country. I call it the "good ole boy" syndrome. People will just keep voting for a candidate, regardless of what their current abilties are. Sort of like a reward for their previous service.  What about what's best for our country?

How would term limits affect congress and, ultimately, our country.  First of all, and probably not the most important, would be an infusion of fresh blood into this legislative body.  However, the most important effect that term limits would have is the ultimate demise of the lobbying business.  Lobbyists have probably the greatest impact on how congressmen vote on pending legislation - not necessarily what the people want.  They represent all the big businesses in this country like pharmaceuticals, oil, insurance, etc., as well as large voting blocks from different unions and associations.  Congressmen are extremely influenced by these lobbyists, especially if they want to be reelected.  That's where term limits comes in.  If a congressman has reached the end of his term, then lobbyists would not be as influential.  Since the congressman could not be reelected, then he/she would not be obligated to the lobbyists.  They could actually do something for us - the people.

Unfortunately, in order for term limits to be a realization, it would need to be enacted as a law.  And, since congress is the legislative branch of the government, then they would have to enact this law.  Why would they do that to themselves?  Maybe someday, when we least expect it, this whole idea will be realized.  What do you think?